You hear the faint dripping sound in the middle of the night, and you know — your faucet is leaking again. Plumbing problems often require a professional, but homeowners can typically manage common leaks with a bit of guidance. Follow this guide to tackle the job yourself, avoid the cost of a plumber’s visit and build up valuable home maintenance skills.
Identifying Your Faucet Type
The internal mechanism of a faucet determines the parts necessary and the repair strategy. Consider these common types:
● Compression faucet: It has two separate handles for hot and cold. To function, it
tightens a rubber washer against a valve seat to control flow, which is why you need to apply pressure to turn the water off.
● Ball faucet: It has a single handle that moves over a ball-shaped cap at the base of the spout. This has a slotted metal or ball inside that aligns with springs and rubber seals, allowing for a wide range of motions and functions.
● Cartridge faucet: It has a single handle, which may have a decorative cap. Its
mechanism is contained in a single cartridge, which may need to be replaced to fix
leaks.
● Ceramic disk faucet: It has a single lever and a solid, cylindrical body. To function, two highly durable ceramic disks slide against each other to control flow.
Assembling Your Faucet Leak Repair Toolkit
Preparing everything you’ll need before you start prevents last-minute or mid-project trips to the hardware store. The exact tools and parts may vary depending on the faucet type and issue, but you can’t go wrong with having the following on hand:
● Adjustable wrench: For handling the larger nuts under the sink or on the faucet body
● Screwdriver set: For handling screws and prying off decorative caps
● Allen wrenches: For holding the handle on in some modern faucets
● Replacement parts: For fixing the issue and preventing more leaks
● Plumber’s grease: For creating a better seal and protecting rubber parts during
installation
● Rags and a small bowl: For cleaning parts, soaking up drips and keeping small screws and parts organized
The replacement parts are the most critical item on this list. Take the old ones to the store to ensure a perfect match. You can also take a photo of the faucet to show the hardware store staff assisting you.
The 4-Step Guide to a Drip-Free Faucet
1. Cut the Water Supply
Find the faucet’s small shut-off valves, which are usually under the sink. Turn them clockwise until they stop. Then, turn the faucet handles to the “on” position to drain all the remaining water from the lines.
2. Disassemble the Faucet
Cover the drain opening with a rag or drain stopper before starting any disassembly to prevent parts from falling down the hole. If your faucet has a decorative cap, pry it off with a screwdriver. Then, remove the set screw holding the mechanism.
The next steps vary based on your faucet type, but it may involve unscrewing a packing nut, lifting off a dome assembly or pulling out a retaining clip for a cartridge. Lay down the parts on the counter in the order you remove them to avoid confusion later.
3. Find and Replace the Culprit
Examine the parts you removed for issues. Maybe the washers are worn down, the cartridge has a mineral buildup, or the O-rings are flattened, cracked or brittle. You’ll need to replace the faulty part.
Ensure you get a replacement that perfectly matches the old one. Also, before installing the new part, use a rag and cleaning solution to clean any mineral deposits from the faucet body.
4. Reassemble and Test Your Work
Apply a light coat of plumber’s grease to new O-rings and seals before inserting them. The lubrication will prevent tearing and help fit them correctly.
Then, reassemble the faucet. Return parts in the reverse order of their removal. Avoid over-tightening connections, as too much force can crack parts or strip threads.
Once the faucet is whole again, turn its handle to the “off” position. Then, slowly turn the water supply valves back on. Check for any leaks around the base and handles.
If they stay dry, turn the faucet on and check its full hot and cold range. Turn it off. If the spout stays drip-free, then the repair is a success.
The Hidden Costs of a Leaky Faucet
Even a slow drip can waste dozens of gallons of water per week, leading to noticeably higher utility bills over the year. The excessive moisture can also seep around the base of the sink and travel to the subfloor or into the cabinet base. Depending on the materials in the immediate area, you might have to deal with wood rot, countertop delamination or floor damage.
A persistent leak — especially a hot water one — continuously releases moisture into the air. The increased evaporation can raise the humidity level of your kitchen or bathroom beyond the ideal range.
Generally, you’ll want the humidity above 35% when it’s above 20° Fahrenheit, and above 20% when it’s below that. Wooden surfaces and furnishings in an extremely humid room may absorb the moisture from their surroundings. Wooden cabinets, for example, might swell and expand, leading to warped frames, bowed doors, drawers that won’t open or close, and cracked or peeling finishes.
When to Call a Plumber for Faucet Leaks
Doing it yourself saves money, but if the repair job is over your head, it’s best to leave it to a professional. Stop and call a plumber if you see these signs:
● The leak isn’t from the faucet itself but from a pipe or fitting under the sink
● The shut-off valves leak when you try to use them, are rusted shut or simply won’t turn
● The faucet body is heavily corroded or visibly cracked
● The leak is worse or a new one appears after reassembling
Enjoy Your Quiet, Drip-Free Home
Say goodbye to expensive plumbing repairs, high water bills and moisture-damaged cabinets due to leaky faucets once you learn how to fix them yourself. Use this new knowledge as a starting point for proactive home maintenance. Instead of reacting to drips, do quick checks of your faucets for leaks or stiffness every few months. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a well-maintained home.
