How to Fix a Leaky Faucet (Step-by-Step Guide)
A dripping faucet wastes up to 3,000 gallons of water per year — and the constant drip-drip-drip doesn't help your sanity either. The good news: most leaky faucets are a DIY fix that takes under an hour, costs under $20 in parts, and requires only basic tools.
Why Faucets Leak: 3 Common Causes
Before grabbing a wrench, it helps to know what you're dealing with. Most dripping faucets trace back to one of three problems:
1 Worn-Out Washers
The most common culprit in compression faucets (the kind with two separate handles you turn clockwise to tighten). Every time you use the faucet, a rubber washer presses against a valve seat. Over years of use, that washer degrades, hardens, or tears — and the seal fails. Water drips out even when the handle is fully closed. Telltale sign: leaking only happens when the water is running, or dripping gets worse over time.
2 Damaged O-Rings
O-rings are small rubber rings that seal the faucet stem. If you're seeing water pooling around the base of the faucet (not from the spout), a worn O-ring is usually to blame. They're cheap — typically $1–$3 — and swapping one out is a quick fix. Telltale sign: leak appears at the base or handle, not the spout tip.
3 Corroded or Damaged Valve Seat
The valve seat connects the faucet to the spout. Sediment from hard water can accumulate there over time, causing corrosion that prevents the washer from forming a clean seal. This is less common but worth knowing. Telltale sign: you replaced the washer but the faucet still leaks.
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How to Fix a Compression Faucet (Most Common Type)
Compression faucets are the workhorses of older homes — two separate handles (hot and cold) that you rotate to open and close. They're also the most straightforward to repair. Here's how:
What You'll Need
- Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
- Adjustable wrench
- Needle-nose pliers
- Replacement rubber washers and O-rings (bring the old ones to the hardware store to match the size)
- Plumber's grease (silicone-based)
- A towel or small bucket
When to Call a Professional
DIY faucet repair is satisfying, but there are situations where it makes more sense to pick up the phone:
- The valve seat is damaged or pitted. Resurfacing a corroded valve seat requires a seat wrench and grinder — tools most homeowners don't have. A plumber can resurface or replace it in about an hour.
- You replaced the washer and it still leaks. This usually means the valve seat is the problem, or there's a crack in the faucet body itself.
- The leak is inside the wall. Moisture under cabinets, soft drywall near pipes, or unexplained water stains mean the problem isn't the faucet — it's the supply line or a fitting behind the wall. Stop the water and call a plumber immediately.
- You're dealing with a cartridge or ceramic disc faucet. These are more common in modern single-handle faucets. The repair process is different, and parts vary significantly by brand. If you're not sure what type you have, it's worth getting a professional diagnosis before disassembling anything.
- You don't have a shutoff valve under the sink. Older homes sometimes have only a main shutoff. Working without an individual shutoff means any mistake floods your whole home — the risk isn't worth the savings.
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