How to Fix a Leaky Faucet (Without Calling a Plumber)

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First: Know What Type of Faucet You Have

Most leaks come from one of two faucet types:

• Compression faucets — Two separate handles (hot/cold). Older style, very common in homes built before 1990. The leak is almost always a worn rubber washer at the bottom of the stem.
• Cartridge faucets — Single-handle or two-handle, but the mechanism is a cartridge instead of a rubber washer. More common in newer homes and bathroom faucets. Fix means replacing the cartridge.

Ball and ceramic disc faucets exist too, but compression and cartridge cover the vast majority of household leaks. When in doubt, look up your faucet brand + model number online — the repair method is usually listed in the first result. (If you find the repair is more involved than expected, check our guide to the highest-ROI home repairs before calling a pro.)

Tools You'll Need

• Adjustable wrench or basin wrench
• Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
• Needle-nose pliers
• Replacement washers or cartridge (match your faucet model)
• Plumber's grease (silicone-based)
• Towels and a bucket

The replacement part is the critical purchase. Bring the old washer or cartridge to the hardware store, or take a photo before you go. Wrong part = second trip.

Step-by-Step: Fixing a Compression Faucet

1. Turn off the water supply. Look under the sink for the shutoff valves — turn them clockwise until they stop. Test by turning on the faucet to drain residual pressure.
2. Remove the handle. Pry off the decorative cap (usually snaps off with a flathead), then unscrew the handle screw underneath. Lift the handle off.
3. Unscrew the packing nut. Use your wrench to loosen the large nut beneath the handle. Counterclockwise. Pull out the stem.
4. Replace the washer. At the bottom of the stem, you'll see a rubber washer held by a brass screw. Unscrew it, swap the washer for an identical one, and reassemble in reverse order.
5. Coat threads lightly with plumber's grease before reassembly — it extends the life of the new washer.
6. Turn the water back on slowly and test. A slow turn prevents water hammer.

Step-by-Step: Fixing a Cartridge Faucet

1. Shut off supply valves the same way.
2. Remove the handle. On single-handle faucets, there's usually a set screw under a cap at the back of the handle. On two-handle models, it's under a decorative hot/cold cap.
3. Pull out the cartridge. It's held by a retaining clip (use needle-nose pliers) or by the handle body directly. Note the orientation before pulling — it must go back in the same way.
4. Take the cartridge to the hardware store. Match it exactly. Moen, Delta, Kohler — they all have brand-specific cartridges. A $12 replacement fixes 95% of cartridge leaks.
5. Insert the new cartridge in the same orientation, replace the retaining clip, reattach the handle, turn water on slowly.

Common Mistakes That Make It Worse

• Not turning off the supply first. Sounds obvious, but people forget the second shutoff valve (many sinks have two). Full pressure = flooded cabinet.
• Forcing a stuck part. If it won't budge, apply penetrating oil (WD-40 works) and wait 10 minutes. Forcing it strips threads.
• Installing the cartridge backwards. Hot and cold will be reversed. Check the tab or notch orientation before pressing it in.
• Tightening too hard. Over-tightening cracks the seat and causes a worse leak than you started with. Snug is enough.
• Using the wrong washer size. A slightly-too-small washer seals initially but fails in weeks. Always match the old one exactly.

When to Actually Call a Plumber

If the leak is coming from the base of the faucet (not the spout), you may have a cracked body — replacement, not repair. If the shutoff valves under the sink won't fully close, those need replacing first. And if you open the wall for a shower faucet and find corroded copper, that's a plumber situation. After any faucet repair, check the caulk around the base — our caulking guide covers how to apply a clean seal that prevents water damage.

For 80% of household faucet leaks, the repair above handles it. The whole job takes 45 minutes if you have the right part in hand.