How to Fix a Leaky Sink Faucet

Drip, Drip, Gone! How to Fix a Leaky Sink Faucet

That relentless drip, drip, drip from your faucet isn’t just an annoying soundtrack to your life; it’s also a sneaky culprit wasting precious water. But before you call a plumber, know this: most of the time, you can learn how to fix a leaky sink faucet with a few simple tools and a little DIY know-how. You’ve got this!

Ready to silence that drip for good? Here’s how to fix a leaky faucet yourself:

Step 1: Shut Off the Water Supply

This is crucial! You don’t want a mini-flood on your hands. Look under your sink for two valves (one for hot water, one for cold) leading to your faucet. Turn them clockwise until they’re completely off. If you can’t find individual shut-off valves, you may need to turn off the main water supply to your house.

Step 2: Disassemble the Faucet Handle

Now that the water’s off, it’s time to get inside. Most faucet handles have a decorative cap that pops off or twists off, revealing a screw underneath. Use a screwdriver to remove the screw and lift off the handle. Depending on your faucet type, you might then need to remove a decorative escutcheon or a packing nut to get to the internal components.

Step 3: Identify and Replace the Culprit

This is where the real fix happens. The most common causes of leaks are worn-out washers, O-rings, or cartridges.

Washers and O-rings: These small rubber or plastic rings create a seal. Over time, they can become brittle, cracked, or simply compressed. Carefully remove the old washer or O-ring and replace it with a new one of the exact same size. You can often find assorted repair kits at your local hardware store.
Cartridges: Some modern faucets, like Moen, use a single cartridge that controls both water flow and temperature. If your faucet has a cartridge, you’ll need to remove it (often by unscrewing a retaining nut or clip) and replace it with a new one that matches your faucet’s make and model. Take the old cartridge to the hardware store to ensure you get the correct replacement.

Step 4: Reassemble and Test

Once you’ve replaced the faulty part, carefully reassemble your faucet in reverse order. Make sure everything is snug but don’t overtighten, as this can damage the new components.

Finally, slowly turn the water supply back on (first at the individual valves, then the main if you turned it off). Turn on the faucet and check for any drips. If you’ve done everything correctly, that annoying drip should be gone!

Say goodbye to wasted water and hello to peace and quiet! Tackling a leaky faucet yourself is a rewarding project that saves you money and gives you a great sense of accomplishment.