A dripping faucet wastes water and money, and the drip tends to get worse. The good news is that most faucet leaks are a worn rubber part, not a failed faucet. The repair takes under an hour once you know which type you have.
Start by shutting off the water at the angle stop valves under the sink. Turn them clockwise. Open the faucet to release pressure and plug the drain so a small screw does not disappear. Then work out which design you are dealing with.
Identify the faucet type
| Type | How to tell | Usual cause of a drip |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Two handles, you tighten to shut it off | Worn rubber washer or seat. |
| Cartridge | One or two handles that move smoothly | Worn cartridge or O-rings. |
| Ball | Single handle over a rounded cap | Worn seals and springs. |
| Ceramic disc | Single handle, quarter-turn feel | Cracked disc cylinder or seals. |
Fixing a compression faucet
Remove the handle
Pry off the decorative cap, unscrew the handle and lift it off.
Loosen the packing nut
Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the nut and lift out the stem.
Replace the washer
Take the stem to a hardware store so you match the washer and O-ring size exactly.
Reassemble and test
Put everything back, open the stop valves slowly and run the faucet.
Fixing a cartridge faucet
Cartridge faucets are the most common in newer kitchens and baths. Pop off the handle cap, remove the screw and lift off the handle. Under it is a retaining clip or nut that holds the cartridge. Pull the cartridge straight up, noting its orientation, and bring it to the store for a match.
Replace the cartridge and its O-rings together. A thin coat of plumber's grease on the O-rings helps them seat and last. Push the new cartridge in with the same orientation, reinstall the clip and handle and test for leaks at the spout and at the base.
Fixing ball and ceramic disc faucets
Ball faucets have a rounded cap and a single handle. Unscrew the cap with pliers, lift out the cam and the ball, and replace the inlet seals and springs. Repair kits come in one box and match the brand, so photograph the faucet before you head to the store.
Ceramic disc faucets use a sealed cylinder. If the cylinder is cracked or scored, replace it as a unit and the matching seals. These faucets rarely drip until the cylinder is damaged, which scale can cause. A kit for your brand usually costs less than a new faucet.
Common mistakes that turn a small drip into a bigger repair
Overtightening is the main one. Cranking a handle shut to stop a drip scores the seat and makes the drip worse. Using the wrong washer is another, since a washer that is almost the right size will not seal. Forgetting to close the stop valves floods the cabinet.
Finally, do not reuse a cracked O-ring. A new O-ring costs little. Replace them together and keep a spare set in a drawer.
Why new faucets flow less
CALGreen, California's green building standards code, limits new bathroom faucets to 1.2 gallons per minute. If a new faucet seems gentler than your old one, the flow limit is the reason, and a clean aerator keeps it consistent.
Why Saratoga faucets wear out faster than you might expect
San Jose Water Company supplies most Saratoga homes. Its water quality report lists hardness by source, and groundwater reads roughly three times harder than Valley Water imported surface supply. Which source reaches your tap depends on your street.
Practical meaning: mineral scale builds on cartridges, aerators and valve seats. A faucet on a harder supply may drip within a few years because scale scores the seals. Cleaning the aerator and soaking parts in vinegar often restores flow. If the cartridge face is scratched and pitted, replace it.
Older homes near the Village along Big Basin Way may have galvanized supply lines that shed rust into valves. If your faucet drips again soon after a repair, rust particles may be holding the seal open.
Sources: San Jose Water Company annual water quality report.When a repair is not worth it
A faucet more than fifteen years old, one with a corroded body or one that leaks from the base is often cheaper to replace than to repair twice. Parts for discontinued models can also cost more than a new faucet.
If the leak is under the sink, tighten the supply nuts a quarter turn first. If water still sprays or weeps, replace the supply line. If the stop valve itself leaks, call a plumber, because forcing an old valve can flood the cabinet.
How to know it is time to call us
Call when the stop valves will not close, when water is behind the wall or when a faucet will not shut off at all. For after-hours leaks, close the main and call the 24/7 line. Our faucet repair page lists what we do, and leak detection helps if the water source is not obvious.
If the faucet is connected to a garbage disposal, the leak may start in the drain assembly. See garbage disposal repair. Our Los Gatos page covers neighboring addresses.
Plumbing problem right now?
Call the 24/7 line and a dispatcher will plan the next step with you.
Questions Saratoga Homeowners Ask
Most cartridge or washer repairs take 30 to 60 minutes once you have the part.
The valve seat may be worn or scored. A seat dresser can smooth it, or the faucet may need replacing.
Scale builds on seals and cartridges, which can cause drips. Cleaning aerators and replacing worn parts helps.
A steady drip can waste a few gallons a day, and a faster drip wastes more. Repair it promptly.
If it is old, corroded or leaks from the base, replacement is usually the better value.