⏱ 30 to 90 minute repair
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet — Step by Step Guide 2025
Fix any dripping faucet yourself and save $150 to $400 in plumber fees. This complete guide covers all four faucet types — ball, cartridge, ceramic disc, and compression — with clear steps anyone can follow.
A single dripping faucet wastes up to 3,000 gallons of water per year — costing you $20 to $35 extra on your annual water bill. Beyond the cost, that constant drip is annoying and a sign that something inside the faucet has worn out. The good news is that fixing a leaky faucet is one of the easiest DIY home repairs you can learn. Most fixes cost under $35 in parts and take less than an hour to complete.
The key to a successful repair is identifying which type of faucet you have before you start — because each type uses different internal parts and a slightly different fix.
Step 1 — Identify Your Faucet Type
Select your faucet type below to see what causes the leak and exactly what parts you need to fix it:
Ball Faucet — Single Handle That Rotates Over a Rounded Cap
Ball faucets are very common in kitchen sinks. You can recognize them by a single handle that moves over a dome-shaped cap near the base. Inside, a rotating ball controls the mix and flow of hot and cold water. Over time the ball, springs, inlet seals, and O-rings wear out — causing drips from the spout or leaks around the base of the handle.
Cartridge Faucet — Single or Double Handle, Smooth On/Off Motion
Cartridge faucets are the most common type in modern bathrooms. They use a replaceable cartridge inside the handle to control water flow. When the cartridge wears out, the faucet drips constantly or becomes hard and stiff to turn. Both single-handle and double-handle versions use this system.
Ceramic Disc Faucet — Wide Single Lever on a Cylindrical Body
Ceramic disc faucets are found in higher-end bathroom faucets. They have a single wide lever on top of a thick cylindrical body. Inside, two ceramic discs control water flow. These faucets are extremely durable — they rarely need full replacement. Most leaks are caused by mineral deposit buildup on the disc surface rather than a broken part.
Compression Faucet — Two Separate Handles, Squeeze to Stop Flow
Compression faucets are the oldest type — they have two separate handles (hot and cold) that you tighten to stop the water. Common in older homes. The rubber washer at the bottom of the stem presses down to stop water flow, and when this washer wears out, the faucet drips when the handle is fully closed.
Tools and Parts You Need
Before you start, gather these tools. You likely already own most of them:
Pro tip before you start: Take photos of every step as you disassemble the faucet. This makes reassembly much easier and helps hardware store staff identify the exact replacement parts you need when you bring in the old ones.
Step-by-Step Repair Guide
These steps apply to all faucet types. The specific parts you replace in Step 4 will vary based on your faucet type identified above.
Turn Off the Water Supply Valves
Look under the sink for two small shutoff valves — one for hot water and one for cold. Turn both valves clockwise until they stop completely. If your sink does not have individual shutoff valves, turn off the main water supply valve for your home. After turning off the supply, open the faucet handles to release any remaining water pressure in the pipes. Let the faucet drip dry before you begin disassembly.
⚠️ Never skip this step — flooding can cause thousands in water damage
Remove the Faucet Handle
Look for a decorative cap on top of the faucet handle — pry it off gently with a flathead screwdriver to reveal the screw underneath. Remove the screw using a Phillips screwdriver or Allen wrench. Once the screw is out, pull the handle straight up and off the faucet body. If it sticks, wiggle it gently while pulling upward — never force it sideways as this can crack the faucet body. Set the handle aside in a safe place.
📸 Take a photo before removing anything
Access the Internal Mechanism
With the handle off, you will see the internal part of your faucet. Depending on the type: unscrew the packing nut with an adjustable wrench and pull out the stem (compression faucets), pull the cartridge straight up (cartridge faucets), use a crescent wrench to remove the ball and cam assembly (ball faucets), or unscrew the ceramic disc cylinder. Keep all parts in order and take another photo before removing the key internal parts.
🔧 Wrap wrench jaws with cloth to avoid scratching chrome
Inspect and Replace the Worn Parts
Carefully examine all rubber washers, O-rings, springs, and seals for signs of wear — cracking, deformation, hardness, or flat spots. Any part that looks worn or damaged should be replaced. Take the old parts to a hardware store to find exact replacements. Apply a thin, even coat of plumber’s grease to all new rubber parts before installing them — this extends their life significantly and makes reassembly easier.
💡 Replace all rubber parts while you have it apart — not just the obvious one
Reassemble and Test the Faucet
Reassemble all components in the exact reverse order you removed them, using your photos as a reference. Hand-tighten all connections first, then snug them with a wrench — do not overtighten or you risk cracking a ceramic seat. Once fully reassembled, slowly turn the water supply valves back on and watch carefully for any leaks at the base of the faucet and under the sink. Run the faucet at full pressure for two to three minutes and inspect all connection points once more.
✅ Check under the sink for drips after turning the water back on
DIY vs Plumber — Cost Comparison
Here is exactly how much you save by fixing each faucet type yourself instead of calling a plumber:
| Faucet Type | DIY Parts Cost | DIY Time | Plumber Cost | Your Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compression (rubber washer) | $2 – $8 | 20 – 30 min | $150 – $250 | $142 – $248 |
| Cartridge replacement | $10 – $30 | 30 – 45 min | $150 – $300 | $120 – $290 |
| Ball faucet repair kit | $10 – $20 | 45 – 60 min | $200 – $350 | $180 – $340 |
| Ceramic disc cleaning | $0 – $50 | 30 – 45 min | $200 – $350 | $150 – $350 |
| Full faucet replacement | $50 – $300 | 60 – 90 min | $300 – $600 | $100 – $550 |
Bottom line: Even the most complex faucet repair saves you at least $120 in plumber fees. For a simple rubber washer replacement, you save over $200 in under 30 minutes.
Call a plumber if you see any of these: Corrosion or green mineral buildup on pipe threads, shutoff valves that do not fully stop the water flow, the faucet body itself is cracked, or the drip is coming from the supply line rather than the faucet head. These are beyond a basic DIY repair and could cause water damage if handled incorrectly.