How do you fix a dripping faucet?

Start by identifying your faucet type: compression (two handles that tighten), cartridge (smooth single or double handle), ball (single handle that moves in a sphere), or ceramic disc (wide single lever). Each type has a different fix — but in all cases, the cause is a worn internal part. Compression faucets need a new seat washer ($1–$2); cartridge faucets need a replacement cartridge ($15–$30); ball faucets need a repair kit ($10–$20). The whole repair takes 20–45 minutes.

What causes a faucet to keep dripping?

A persistently dripping faucet is almost always caused by a worn internal part pressing against the water seat: a rubber seat washer or O-ring (compression faucets), a worn cartridge (cartridge faucets), or worn seats and springs (ball faucets). Tightening the handle doesn't fix it — the worn part needs replacement. If a newly repaired faucet drips again within weeks, the seat itself may be rough and needs resurfacing or replacement.

How much does faucet leak repair cost to DIY?

A DIY faucet leak repair costs $8–$30 in parts, versus $160–$370 for a plumber's service call. A compression faucet washer costs $1–$2. A replacement cartridge runs $15–$30 (must match your brand). A ball faucet repair kit with all parts is $10–$20. Most repairs need only a screwdriver and adjustable wrench — no plumber needed.

How do you fix a leaking ceramic disc faucet?

Turn off the water, remove the handle and the decorative cap underneath, then unscrew and lift out the disc cartridge. Replace the rubber seals on its underside, or the whole cartridge if the discs are cracked or pitted. Clean mineral deposits from the inlet ports, reassemble, and turn the water back on slowly with the handle open.

Is a leaky faucet an emergency?

A dripping faucet from the spout is not an emergency, but it is worth fixing promptly — a faucet dripping once per second wastes over 3,000 gallons a year. A faucet that leaks at the base, under the sink, or from the shut-off valve is more urgent and can cause water damage if ignored.

What is a faucet rebuild kit?

A rebuild kit is a multi-part set covering everything inside the faucet that can wear out — O-rings, washers, springs, seats, and sometimes a cam — matched to one brand and faucet type, like the Danco 10678 kit for Delta, Moen, and Price Pfister ball faucets. It's different from buying a single replacement part because it replaces every wear part at once, so you're less likely to reopen the faucet again in a few months for the next part that fails.

When do I need a rebuild kit vs. a repair kit?

If you already know exactly which part failed — a cartridge or a single washer — buying just that part (like the Moen 1224 cartridge) is cheaper and faster. A full rebuild kit makes more sense for ball faucets, which have several small wear parts (ball, cam, seats, springs) that tend to fail close together, or for an older faucet you're servicing for the first time and don't want to reopen repeatedly. The Best Faucet Repair Kits guide linked above has brand-specific picks.

Do I need to know the faucet brand to fix a kitchen faucet?

Yes — replacement cartridges and parts are brand-specific. Check under the faucet for a manufacturer's logo or model number, or take the old cartridge to a hardware store and match it. Moen, Delta, Kohler, and Pfister are the major brands with widely available parts.

My kitchen faucet leaks at the base, not the spout. What's that?

A leak at the base of the spout (around the neck, not the tip) indicates a worn O-ring on the spout body — not the valve cartridge. The fix is replacing the O-ring(s) on the outside of the spout body, which is often easier than a full cartridge replacement.

Can I repair a faucet myself, or do I need a plumber?

Most dripping faucets are a DIY job — you need a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, and the right replacement part, and the repair itself takes 20–45 minutes. Call a plumber instead if the shut-off valve under the sink won't close, the faucet body is cracked, or you can't identify the faucet type and a repair kit isn't fixing it.

What's in a faucet repair kit, and when do I need one?

A repair kit bundles the small wear parts a given faucet type needs — O-rings, washers, springs, seats, and sometimes a cam — matched to one brand, so you don't make multiple trips to the store. You need one for ball faucets, which fail at several small parts at once; for a cartridge or compression faucet where you already know the single part that failed, buying just that part is cheaper. See [Best Faucet Repair Kits](/home-fixes/best-faucet-repair-kits/) for brand-specific picks.

Home & FixesPillar guide

Leaky Faucet Repair: How to Fix a Dripping Faucet [2026]

Fix a leaky or dripping faucet yourself in 30 minutes. Step-by-step repair for all faucet types — compression, cartridge, ball, and ceramic disc.

By Askento Editorial Team · 9 min read · Apr 1, 2026

Written with AI assistance, grounded in cited sources and checked by automated quality gates. How we create our content

Leaky Faucet Repair: How to Fix a Dripping Faucet [2026]

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General information only. This article may include AI-assisted content. While we aim for accuracy, verify important details before acting on them. Affiliate disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

To fix a dripping faucet, shut off the water under the sink, take off the handle and replace the worn part inside: the rubber washer on a compression faucet, the cartridge on a cartridge faucet, the seals or the whole disc cartridge on a ceramic-disc faucet, or the parts from a brand-specific repair kit on a ball faucet.

A faucet that drips once per second wastes around 3,000 gallons of water per year. Most leaky faucets — whether dripping from the spout, leaking at the base, or seeping around the handle — are caused by a worn washer or O-ring. That's a $2 part that takes 30 minutes to replace. This guide covers dripping faucet repair for all four common faucet types.

Before You Start

Turn off the water supply: Under the sink, turn the shut-off valves clockwise until they stop. Turn on the faucet to release any remaining pressure and confirm the water is off.

Plug the drain: Put a rag or stopper in the drain so small parts don't fall in and disappear.

Take photos as you go: Before removing anything, photograph the assembly so you can reassemble it correctly.

Identify Your Faucet Type

The fix varies depending on what kind of faucet you have:

Ball faucet — a single handle that moves in a sphere. Common in kitchens. Has a ball mechanism inside.

Cartridge faucet — single or double handle, smooth operation. Very common. The cartridge is a self-contained cylinder that controls water flow.

Ceramic disc faucet — single lever over a wide cylindrical body. Rarely needs repair.

Compression faucet — two handles that tighten to stop water. Older style. Most commonly cause drips.

Fixing a Compression Faucet (Most Common Drip Cause)

Remove the decorative cap on the handle (pry it off with a flathead screwdriver)
Unscrew the handle screw and pull off the handle
Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the packing nut
Pull out the stem — at the bottom you'll find a rubber washer held by a brass screw
Replace the washer with a new one (take the old one to the hardware store to match)
If the seat (the part the washer presses against) feels rough, smooth it with a seat wrench or replace it
Reassemble in reverse order

Fixing a Cartridge Faucet

Remove the handle (usually one screw under a decorative cap)
You'll see a plastic or metal cartridge held in place by a retaining clip or nut
Pull the cartridge straight up — use pliers if needed, but be careful not to damage it
Take the old cartridge to the hardware store — exact match matters for cartridges
Install the new cartridge in the same orientation
Reassemble and test

Fixing a Ball Faucet

Ball faucets have more parts (a cam, ball, seats, springs, and O-rings), making them more complex. A ball faucet repair kit for your specific brand ($10–$20) includes all the parts and instructions. The kit approach is much easier than buying parts individually.

Fixing a Ceramic Disc Faucet

Ceramic disc faucets — a single wide lever over a broad cylindrical body — are the most durable type, and when they drip it's usually the rubber seals rather than the discs themselves.

Turn off the water and open the faucet to drain the line.
Remove the handle. The set screw is often under a decorative cap or at the back of the handle and may need a hex key.
Remove the decorative cap (escutcheon) underneath to expose the disc cartridge. Unscrew its mounting screws and lift it out.
Check the rubber seals on the underside of the cartridge. If they're worn or brittle, replace them. If the discs are cracked or pitted, replace the whole cartridge — take the old one to the store so it matches.
Clean the inlet ports in the faucet body. Mineral deposits there stop the seals from seating; a soft scrub pad and white vinegar work.
Reassemble, set the handle to the open position, and turn the water back on slowly. A sudden surge of pressure can crack the ceramic discs.

Kitchen Faucets: Replacing a Single-Handle Cartridge

Most kitchen faucets installed since about 1990 are single-handle cartridge faucets, and a drip from the spout almost always means a worn cartridge. A replacement costs $10–$30 and the swap takes about 30 minutes.

You'll need: the replacement cartridge, flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench or channel-lock pliers, needle-nose pliers, plumber's grease, and towels and a small bucket.

Finding the right cartridge. Cartridges are brand- and model-specific, so take the old one to the store or look up your model number:

Moen: depends on the valve. The 1225 is for Moen's pull-to-turn-on valves and older single-handle faucets; see Moen 1222 vs 1225 to tell them apart. Search the Moen 1225.
Delta: check your model number on Delta's site first. A common kitchen cartridge is the Delta RP46074. For Delta's pull-down faucets, see Delta 9178 faucet leaking.
Kohler: cartridges vary by model, so look up your Kohler model number.

The swap:

Shut off the hot and cold valves under the sink and open the faucet to drain the lines. Put a towel in the basin and a bucket under the faucet.
Pry off the decorative cap on the handle, remove the screw, and lift the handle straight up. Remove any collar or retaining ring underneath.
The cartridge is held by a U-shaped retaining clip (pull it out with needle-nose pliers) or a retaining nut (loosen it counterclockwise).
Grip the cartridge stem with pliers and pull straight up, wiggling gently if it resists. Note its orientation — most have an ear or tab that only fits one way.
Coat the new cartridge's O-rings and body with a thin layer of plumber's grease, slide it in the same way round, press it until it seats, and refit the clip or nut.
Reassemble, turn the valves back on slowly, and run the water for 30 seconds to flush debris out of the new cartridge.

If the water runs too hot or too cold afterwards: some Moen and Delta cartridges have a factory-set temperature-limit stop. Take the handle off again and rotate the notched ring or dial slightly.

Drip From the Base vs. From the Spout

Drip from the spout — internal mechanism issue (washers, cartridge, ball)
Leak around the base — worn O-rings on the faucet body. Remove the faucet spout, replace the O-rings, and lubricate with plumber's grease before reassembling.

To replace the spout O-rings: lift the spout off (usually after removing a set screw, or the cartridge), cut off the old O-rings, and roll on new ones of the same size — take the old ones to the store to match diameter and thickness. Coat them with plumber's grease before refitting the spout. It's a simpler job than a cartridge swap.

When to Call a Plumber

The shut-off valve under the sink won't close (it needs replacement itself)
The faucet body is cracked
You can't identify what type of faucet you have and the repair kit approach isn't working

When to Replace Instead of Repair

Replace the whole faucet if:

It's over 15–20 years old and parts are hard to find
Several components are failing at once (cartridge, O-rings, finish)
The drip comes back within 6 months of a new cartridge, which points to corrosion in the body
You want a different style anyway

See how to replace a kitchen faucet for the full installation.

For a genuinely old or badly corroded faucet, replacing the whole unit (starting around $30–$80) is sometimes easier than repairing it.

Faucet Repair Kit Product Table

The right kit gets the job done in one trip. Most faucet repairs need just one of these:

Product	Best for	Price range	Link
Danco 88693 Universal O-Ring Kit	Ball and cartridge faucets — 36-piece assortment of O-rings, washers, springs, and seats	$8–$12	Shop Danco 88693 kit
Danco 10678 Complete Faucet Repair Kit	Delta, Moen, Price Pfister ball faucets — seats, springs, O-rings, cam included	$10–$14	Shop Danco 10678 kit
Moen 1224 Cartridge Replacement	Moen single-handle cartridge faucets — OEM part, guaranteed fit	$15–$25	Shop Moen 1224 cartridge
RIDGID 56838 Basin Wrench	Reaching mounting nuts in tight under-sink spaces	$20–$28	Shop RIDGID basin wrench
Harvey's Silicone Plumber's Grease	Lubricating O-rings and rubber parts on reassembly; NSF-certified, safe for potable water	$5–$9	Shop Harvey's plumber's grease

Tip

Kitchen faucet replacement is sometimes easier than repairing a badly corroded ball faucet. Moen Adler kitchen faucets start around $60–$80 and include a lifetime warranty that covers parts. Prime members get free same-day or next-day delivery — start a 30-day free Prime trial if you need parts fast.

For a deeper look at kits and brand-specific recommendations, see Best Faucet Repair Kits.

Why is my kitchen sink draining slowly?
How to replace a kitchen faucet — when repair isn't worth it
Best faucet repair kits — brand-specific kit recommendations
How to fix a dripping showerhead
Moen 1222 vs 1225 cartridge — telling the two Moen cartridges apart
How to unclog a bathroom sink
How to fix a running toilet
Best caulk & tub sealants — for resealing around the fixture base once the drip is fixed
Best mold and mildew removers — for the damp patch a long-running leak leaves behind
Best replacement showerheads under $50

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you fix a dripping faucet?: Start by identifying your faucet type: compression (two handles that tighten), cartridge (smooth single or double handle), ball (single handle that moves in a sphere), or ceramic disc (wide single lever). Each type has a different fix — but in all cases, the cause is a worn internal part. Compression faucets need a new seat washer ($1–$2); cartridge faucets need a replacement cartridge ($15–$30); ball faucets need a repair kit ($10–$20). The whole repair takes 20–45 minutes.
What causes a faucet to keep dripping?: A persistently dripping faucet is almost always caused by a worn internal part pressing against the water seat: a rubber seat washer or O-ring (compression faucets), a worn cartridge (cartridge faucets), or worn seats and springs (ball faucets). Tightening the handle doesn't fix it — the worn part needs replacement. If a newly repaired faucet drips again within weeks, the seat itself may be rough and needs resurfacing or replacement.
How much does faucet leak repair cost to DIY?: A DIY faucet leak repair costs $8–$30 in parts, versus $160–$370 for a plumber's service call. A compression faucet washer costs $1–$2. A replacement cartridge runs $15–$30 (must match your brand). A ball faucet repair kit with all parts is $10–$20. Most repairs need only a screwdriver and adjustable wrench — no plumber needed.
How do you fix a leaking ceramic disc faucet?: Turn off the water, remove the handle and the decorative cap underneath, then unscrew and lift out the disc cartridge. Replace the rubber seals on its underside, or the whole cartridge if the discs are cracked or pitted. Clean mineral deposits from the inlet ports, reassemble, and turn the water back on slowly with the handle open.
Is a leaky faucet an emergency?: A dripping faucet from the spout is not an emergency, but it is worth fixing promptly — a faucet dripping once per second wastes over 3,000 gallons a year. A faucet that leaks at the base, under the sink, or from the shut-off valve is more urgent and can cause water damage if ignored.
What is a faucet rebuild kit?: A rebuild kit is a multi-part set covering everything inside the faucet that can wear out — O-rings, washers, springs, seats, and sometimes a cam — matched to one brand and faucet type, like the Danco 10678 kit for Delta, Moen, and Price Pfister ball faucets. It's different from buying a single replacement part because it replaces every wear part at once, so you're less likely to reopen the faucet again in a few months for the next part that fails.
When do I need a rebuild kit vs. a repair kit?: If you already know exactly which part failed — a cartridge or a single washer — buying just that part (like the Moen 1224 cartridge) is cheaper and faster. A full rebuild kit makes more sense for ball faucets, which have several small wear parts (ball, cam, seats, springs) that tend to fail close together, or for an older faucet you're servicing for the first time and don't want to reopen repeatedly. The Best Faucet Repair Kits guide linked above has brand-specific picks.
Do I need to know the faucet brand to fix a kitchen faucet?: Yes — replacement cartridges and parts are brand-specific. Check under the faucet for a manufacturer's logo or model number, or take the old cartridge to a hardware store and match it. Moen, Delta, Kohler, and Pfister are the major brands with widely available parts.
My kitchen faucet leaks at the base, not the spout. What's that?: A leak at the base of the spout (around the neck, not the tip) indicates a worn O-ring on the spout body — not the valve cartridge. The fix is replacing the O-ring(s) on the outside of the spout body, which is often easier than a full cartridge replacement.
Can I repair a faucet myself, or do I need a plumber?: Most dripping faucets are a DIY job — you need a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, and the right replacement part, and the repair itself takes 20–45 minutes. Call a plumber instead if the shut-off valve under the sink won't close, the faucet body is cracked, or you can't identify the faucet type and a repair kit isn't fixing it.
What's in a faucet repair kit, and when do I need one?: A repair kit bundles the small wear parts a given faucet type needs — O-rings, washers, springs, seats, and sometimes a cam — matched to one brand, so you don't make multiple trips to the store. You need one for ball faucets, which fail at several small parts at once; for a cartridge or compression faucet where you already know the single part that failed, buying just that part is cheaper. See [Best Faucet Repair Kits](/home-fixes/best-faucet-repair-kits/) for brand-specific picks.