How To Fix Dripping Kitchen Faucet Fast

Can I fix a dripping kitchen faucet myself? Yes, you absolutely can fix a dripping kitchen faucet yourself. Most drips are caused by simple, worn-out parts like washers or cartridges that are easy to replace with basic tools, making DIY faucet repair very manageable for homeowners.

A dripping kitchen faucet is more than just an annoyance; it wastes water and drives up your utility bills. Fixing a leaky faucet repair is often a quick job. This guide will walk you through the steps to stop faucet drip quickly and effectively, covering the most common types of faucets and leaks.

Preparing for Your Faucet Repair Job

Before you start any leaky faucet repair, preparation is key. Taking these simple steps first saves time and prevents messes later.

Tools and Supplies You Will Need

Gather your equipment before you turn off the water. Having everything ready makes the process smooth.

Screwdrivers (Phillips and flat-head)
Adjustable wrench or basin wrench
Pliers (needle-nose and slip-joint)
Replacement parts (washers, O-rings, or a new cartridge)
White vinegar
Old rags or towels
Flashlight
Plumber’s grease (silicone-based)

Step One: Shut Off the Water Supply

This is the most crucial step for any DIY faucet repair. You must stop the water flow to the faucet completely.

Look under your sink. You will find two shut-off valves. One controls the hot water, and the other controls the cold water.
Turn both valves clockwise until they are tight.
Turn the faucet handles on (both hot and cold) to drain any remaining water in the lines. Let the water run until it stops completely. This confirms the water is off.

If you cannot find the shut-off valves under the sink, you may need to turn off the main water supply to your entire house. Do this only if necessary.

Step Two: Protect the Sink Drain

Small screws and tiny parts love to disappear down the drain. Prevent this problem easily.

Place a stopper in the sink drain.
If you don’t have a stopper, place a rag or towel securely over the drain opening. This acts as a net for any dropped items.

Deciphering the Type of Faucet You Have

The repair method depends heavily on your faucet type. Faucets generally fall into four main categories. Identifying yours helps you buy the right replacement parts.

Faucet Type	Description	Common Leak Source
Compression Faucets	Two separate handles (hot and cold) that you must tighten down. Older style.	Worn rubber washers.
Ball Faucets	Single handle that swivels over a rounded cap. Common in older kitchens.	Worn seals and springs.
Cartridge Faucets	Single or double handle. The handle moves up/down or side-to-side to control flow.	Worn or cracked cartridge.
Ceramic Disc Faucets	Single handle, very smooth operation. High quality, less common to leak.	Damaged inlet seals or cracked discs.

Most modern kitchen faucets are either cartridge or disc types. If you are fixing a dripping Moen faucet or repairing a leaky Delta faucet, they usually use a cartridge system.

How to Fix a Dripping Compression Faucet

Compression faucets are the oldest type. They leak when the rubber washer wears out from being pressed down repeatedly.

Disassembling the Handle

Pry off the decorative cap on top of the handle. It usually pops off easily with a small flat-head screwdriver.
Use your screwdriver to remove the screw holding the handle in place. Take the handle off.
You will see the packing nut (a large hexagonal nut) securing the stem assembly. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen and remove this nut.
Carefully pull the stem straight up and out of the faucet body.

Replacing the Faucet Washer Replacement

The washer is at the bottom tip of the stem. This is the likely culprit for the drip.

Look at the bottom of the stem. You will see a small screw holding the washer in place. Remove this screw.
Remove the old washer. It might be cracked or flattened.
Take the old washer to the hardware store to find an exact match for size and thickness. This ensures a good seal.
Install the new washer and screw it back onto the stem tightly.

If the drip persists, you might need to replace the O-ring located higher up on the stem as well. Apply a thin layer of plumber’s grease to the new O-ring before installing it. This keeps the handle movement smooth and helps faucet handle repair.

Reassembly

Reverse the steps to put everything back together. Make sure the stem sits correctly in the faucet body before tightening the packing nut. Do not overtighten, as this can damage the new washer.

Fixing a Dripping Cartridge Faucet

Cartridge faucets are common today. When they drip, you usually need to replace the entire internal cartridge. This is often required when repairing a leaky Delta faucet.

Accessing the Cartridge

First, check if the handle is tightening a loose faucet handle is the issue. If tightening doesn’t help, proceed with disassembly.
Remove the decorative cap from the handle.
Look for the small set screw that holds the handle onto the faucet body. It is often hidden under the cap or sometimes on the side or back of the handle base. Use an Allen wrench or small screwdriver to loosen this screw.
Pull the handle straight up and off.
You will see a small retaining clip or a bonnet nut holding the cartridge in place. Use needle-nose pliers to pull out the clip, or use pliers/a wrench to unscrew the bonnet nut.

Replacing Faucet Cartridge

Pull the old cartridge straight up. It might require wiggling or using pliers gently. Note its orientation—it must go back in the exact same way.
Take the old cartridge to the store to match it exactly. Brands like Moen and Delta use proprietary cartridges, so getting the right one is essential for fixing a dripping Moen faucet.
Insert the new replacing faucet cartridge into the housing. Make sure the notches or tabs line up perfectly with the faucet body openings.
Secure the cartridge with the retaining clip or bonnet nut you removed earlier.

Reassembly and Testing

Reattach the handle and the set screw. Turn the water back on slowly under the sink and check for drips.

Addressing Ball Faucets (A Specific Type of Leak)

Ball faucets are complex because they use a rotating metal or plastic ball to control water flow. If you have a drip, you are likely dealing with common faucet leaks related to the seals inside the ball assembly.

Disassembling the Ball Faucet

Remove the handle screw and lift the handle off.
Unscrew the cap assembly (sometimes called the cap and collar) that sits above the ball joint. Use pliers with a rag to protect the finish.
Lift out the cam washer and the rotating ball mechanism.
Underneath the ball, you will find small rubber seats and springs. These are usually the cause of the leak.

Replacing Seats and Springs

Use needle-nose pliers to carefully pull out the old springs and seats.
Insert the new springs (narrow end down) and place the new rubber seats over them.
Put the ball back in, ensuring the groove on the ball lines up with the pin slot in the faucet body.

This repair kit usually contains all necessary parts for a complete leaky faucet repair on this type of fixture.

Fixing Leaks Around the Spout Base or Handle

Sometimes the drip isn’t coming from the spout itself, but from around the base of the handle or the spout neck. This usually involves O-rings.

Handle Leaks (Fixing Faucet Handle Repair)

If water seeps out from under the handle when the water is running, the O-rings around the stem or cartridge housing are likely failing.

Follow the disassembly steps for your faucet type to expose the stem or cartridge.
Locate the O-rings—these are rubber rings wrapped around the metal body that slides into the faucet housing.
Use a small awl or screwdriver to gently roll the old O-rings off.
Clean the metal surface thoroughly.
Apply plumber’s grease generously to the new O-rings.
Roll the new O-rings onto the stem or cartridge body. The grease helps them slide in without tearing.

Spout Base Leaks

If the leak is where the spout swivels, the O-rings inside the spout base are worn.

You must first remove the spout. On many models, there is a set screw located at the back or side of the spout base that holds it down. Remove this screw.
Gently lift the spout straight up off the faucet body.
You will see one or two O-rings around the faucet body where the spout sat.
Carefully cut or roll off the old O-rings. Clean the housing well.
Replace them with new, well-greased O-rings.
Slide the spout back down, ensuring it sits flush. Reinstall the set screw.

Dealing with Persistent Dripping After Part Replacement

If you’ve done a faucet washer replacement or replacing faucet cartridge, but the faucet still drips, consider these less common issues.

Mineral Buildup and Sediment

Hard water leaves behind mineral deposits (scale). These deposits can prevent new washers or cartridges from seating perfectly flat, causing a slow drip.

Cleaning the Valve Seat: In compression faucets, the valve seat (where the washer presses down) must be perfectly smooth. Use a specialized faucet seat grinding tool if the seat looks rough, or gently clean it with a scouring pad or vinegar-soaked cloth.
Soaking Parts: If you suspect mineral buildup is hindering the cartridge movement, soak the old cartridge (if reusing it temporarily) or the metal housing parts in white vinegar overnight to dissolve scale.

Incorrect Part Sizing

One of the most common errors in DIY faucet repair is using the wrong size washer or cartridge. Even a slight difference in size prevents a complete seal. Always confirm the part number or bring the old part to the store for a precise match.

Damage to the Faucet Body

If the internal threads of the faucet body are stripped or cracked (usually due to previous forceful tightening or overtightening), no new washer will fix the leak. This usually requires replacing the entire faucet fixture, as repairing the body threads is often impossible or requires specialized, expensive tools.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

While most drip repairs are easy, there are times when leaky faucet repair is best left to the pros:

Main Shut-off Failure: If you cannot locate or turn off the water supply under the sink, you risk flooding your cabinets when disassembly begins.
Inaccessible Pipes: If the leak originates from a pipe connection located deep within the wall or under the floor.
Damaged Fixture Body: If the faucet body itself is cracked or corroded, forcing a repair attempt might break the entire unit, requiring immediate replacement and installation.
Stubborn Leaks: If you have tried multiple replacements and cleaned everything, but the drip continues, a professional can use specialized diagnostic tools.

Tips for Longevity and Prevention

To minimize future common faucet leaks and extend the life of your faucet components:

Handle Gently: Teach everyone in the house to turn handles off gently. Slamming handles causes undue stress on washers and cartridges. This is vital for faucet handle repair prevention.
Regular Maintenance: Once a year, slightly loosen the packing nut on older faucets or check the set screw on newer ones to ensure everything is snug, but not overly tight (tightening a loose faucet proactively).
Use Plumber’s Grease: Every time you replace a washer or cartridge, use plumber’s silicone grease on all moving parts and rubber seals. This keeps the movement fluid and protects rubber from drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Fixing Dripping Faucets

How long should it take to fix a dripping kitchen faucet?

For an experienced person fixing a common cartridge or compression faucet, the job usually takes between 20 to 45 minutes, provided you have the correct replacement parts ready. If you need to search for parts or turn off the main house water supply, it can take longer.

What causes the most common faucet leaks?

The most common faucet leaks are caused by worn-out internal seals. For compression faucets, this is the rubber washer. For cartridge, ball, or disc faucets, this involves the O-rings, springs, seats, or the cartridge itself failing to seal properly.

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

No, usually you do not need to replace the entire fixture for a drip. DIY faucet repair focusing on the worn internal components (washer, O-ring, or cartridge) is almost always sufficient. Only replace the entire faucet if the main body is cracked or severely corroded.

How do I stop faucet drip if I have a single-handle faucet?

If you have a single-handle faucet, the solution is usually replacing faucet cartridge or, in the case of ball faucets, replacing the internal springs and seals. Ensure you shut off the water, remove the handle, and extract the internal mechanism for replacement.

Is it hard to fix a leaky Delta faucet?

Repairing a leaky Delta faucet is generally straightforward if it uses a common cartridge design. The most important part is correctly identifying and purchasing the specific Delta cartridge needed for your model, as they are often proprietary. Once you have the part, installation is simple reversal of the removal process.