How to Fix a Leaking Faucet

Written with AI assistance by Perry Kendrick · From the Fix-It Playbook · Published October 2, 2026 · Updated October 8, 2026

Short answer

A leaking faucet is almost always one worn part inside, not a bad faucet. Identify your faucet type, shut off the water under the sink, and replace the worn washer, O-ring or cartridge. The part costs $2–25, and the job is a basic DIY repair for a sink with working shutoff valves.

Why is my faucet leaking?

A faucet that drips or leaks at the handle has a single worn part inside: a rubber washer, an O-ring, or a cartridge. The faucet itself does not need replacing. Replacing the whole fixture is rarely the actual fix.

The part costs a few dollars. The job is taking the handle apart, swapping the worn piece, and putting it back together. The only trick is knowing which faucet type you have, so you buy the right part.

The location of the water points to the part. Watch where it appears before you buy anything.

Where it leaks	Likely worn part
Drips from the spout	Washer, cartridge, or valve seat inside
Leaks around the base of the handle	O-rings

What type of faucet do I have?

There are four kinds of faucet, and each wears out a different part, so identify yours first. It determines what you buy.

Two separate handles: usually compression (rubber washer) or an older two-handle cartridge.
One handle that lifts and swivels on a dome: likely a ball faucet.
One handle on a tall body with a cartridge: a cartridge faucet, the most common today.
One handle on a wide cylinder body: a ceramic disc faucet.

How do I stop the drip?

You stop the drip by shutting off the water, removing the handle, and replacing the worn washer, O-ring, or cartridge. Here is the short version.

Close both shutoff valves under the sink (clockwise), then open the faucet to release pressure and confirm the water is off.
Plug the drain or lay a towel in the basin so screws and clips cannot fall down it.
Pry off the decorative cap, remove the set screw, and lift the handle off.
Remove the retaining nut (with a wrench) or the U-clip (with needle-nose pliers).
Pull the cartridge or stem straight out, noting its orientation so the new one goes back the same way.
Replace the cartridge, or on a compression faucet the rubber washer and any O-rings. Coat new O-rings with plumber's silicone grease so they seal well.
Reassemble in reverse order, open the shutoffs slowly, and check for drips and handle-base leaks.

Take the old part to the store. A "universal" part rarely is, and matching the exact cartridge or washer is what makes the fix work the first time.

Why is it still leaking or acting up after the repair?

A repair that did not work usually comes down to a mismatched part or a missed step. These are the common cases.

Still drips from the spout: the cartridge is the wrong one or loose, or the valve seat is pitted. Reseat or match the cartridge and clean the seat.
Leaks at the handle base: replace and grease the O-rings.
Handle is stiff: add plumber's grease and make sure the cartridge seated fully.
New part does not fit: it is a mismatch, so match the brand and model against the old part.
Low flow afterward: debris loosened during the job clogged the aerator. Unscrew it and rinse it.

How much does it cost to fix a leaking faucet yourself versus calling a plumber?

Fixing a leaking faucet yourself usually costs under $25 for the part and grease, while a pro charges $100–200 for the same swap. The honest comparison looks like this.

Do it yourself: a washer or O-ring is $2–5, and a full cartridge is $10–25.
Call a pro: $100–200 to swap a part you can swap in 20 minutes.
New faucet: replacing the whole fixture is rarely the actual fix.

To keep the repair from coming back, do not crank the handle shut. Forcing it is what chews up washers and cartridges, and gentle is enough.

Also fix a drip early. A small drip wears the valve seat and turns into a harder repair.

When should I call a plumber about a leaking faucet?

Call a plumber when the leak is not a simple sink faucet with working shutoffs. A standard sink faucet with working shutoffs is a confident DIY fix, but these situations are bigger jobs.

There are no shutoff valves under the sink, or they will not close, so you would need to shut off the house main.
The leak is from a tub or shower valve inside the wall. That is a different repair.
Parts are seized or badly corroded, or the faucet body is cracked.

Doing it yourself

A washer or O-ring is $2–5; a full cartridge is $10–25. Total is usually under $25 for the part and grease.

Calling a pro

$100–200 to swap a part you can swap in 20 minutes.

Time: About 20 minutes.

When to stop and call a pro

There are no shutoff valves under the sink, or they will not close, which means you would need to shut off the house main.
The leak is from a tub or shower valve inside the wall rather than a sink faucet. That is a different repair.
Parts are seized or badly corroded.
The faucet body is cracked.

Cover of the Fix-It Playbook guide How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need to replace the whole faucet if it drips?

No. A dripping faucet has a single worn part inside, such as a rubber washer, an O-ring, or a cartridge. Replacing that part, which costs a few dollars, stops the drip. Replacing the whole fixture is rarely the actual fix, so a drip is not a reason to buy a new faucet.

What tools do I need to fix a leaking faucet?

You need an adjustable wrench, screwdrivers and hex (Allen) keys, needle-nose pliers, and a towel plus a small container for parts. For materials, get a replacement cartridge, washer, or O-rings, plus plumber's silicone grease. Take the old part to the store to match it.

Why does my faucet leak around the handle?

Leaking around the base of the handle points to worn O-rings. Shut off the water, take the handle apart, replace the O-rings, and coat the new ones with plumber's silicone grease so they seal well and the handle moves smoothly afterward.

Why won't my new faucet part fit?

The part is a mismatch for your faucet. This is why you should take the old part to the store and match the brand and model exactly. A part sold as universal rarely is, so matching the exact cartridge or washer is what makes the fix work the first time.

How long does it take to fix a leaky faucet?

Replacing the worn part is a job you can do in about 20 minutes, according to the repair cost comparison. The work is shutting off the water, removing the handle, swapping the washer, O-ring or cartridge, greasing the O-rings, and reassembling, then testing for drips.

Sources

Safety guidance and key figures were checked against these outside sources on October 22, 2026. Dollar figures are typical ranges, not quotes.

Fix a Leak (WaterSense) archived page (U.S. EPA WaterSense (archived 2017 snapshot)). Drips waste thousands of gallons per year; worn washers and gaskets are the fix; reseat/replace parts.
Fix a Leak Week (U.S. EPA WaterSense). Leaks are common and fixable by homeowners; check with meter.