How do you fix a leaky faucet?
Short answer: Close the hot and cold shut-off valves, open the faucet to drain the lines, and plug the drain. Identify the faucet type, then replace the worn part: a cartridge, a ball faucet's seats and springs, or a washer. A one-drip-per-second leak wastes about 7.6 gallons a day, or roughly 2,779 gallons a year.
How much water does a dripping faucet waste?
The USGS Water Drip Calculator assumes about 11,350 drips per gallon. That comes from roughly 3,000 drips per liter, with a small drip of about 0.33 mL. Real drips vary in size, so treat these as estimates.
Formula: gallons per day = drips per minute × 1,440 ÷ 11,350
| Drip rate | Gallons per day | Gallons per year |
|---|---|---|
| 5 per minute | 0.63 | 232 |
| 10 per minute | 1.27 | 463 |
| 30 per minute | 3.81 | 1,389 |
| 60 per minute (1 per second) | 7.61 | 2,779 |
| 120 per minute (2 per second) | 15.22 | 5,557 |
To put a dollar figure on your own leak, use the water leak cost calculator.
What type of faucet do I have?
Most leaks come down to one worn part. Which part depends on the valve inside the faucet. These are the common categories:
| Faucet type | How it usually looks and feels | Typical wear parts |
|---|---|---|
| Cartridge | One or two handles; a removable cartridge sits under the handle | Cartridge, O-rings |
| Ball | Single lever over a rounded cap | Seats and springs, cam and packing |
| Compression | Two handles you tighten to shut off | Rubber washers, seats |
| Ceramic disc | Single lever over a wide cylinder | Disc cartridge, seals |
The surest way to know is the maker’s own tool. Moen says that if the installation year is unknown, “it may be necessary to remove the handle” to identify the cartridge. Moen and Delta both offer online product-identification tools.
How do I shut off the water and prepare?
- Close the supply valves. Moen states the shut-off valves “must be turned off” before repair. Delta says to close the hot and cold valves under the sink.
- Drain the lines. Delta says to let the lines drain. Opening the faucet after closing the valves releases the remaining water.
- Plug the drain. Close the stopper or lay a rag in the sink. Small screws and springs are easy to lose.
- Lay parts out in order. A phone photo at each step helps with reassembly.
How do I replace a faucet cartridge?
- Remove the handle. The screw is often under a decorative cap.
- Remove the retainer nut or clip that holds the cartridge.
- Pull the old cartridge straight out.
- Install the matching new cartridge in the same orientation.
- Reinstall the retainer, handle, and cap.
Moen warns that its cartridge retainer nuts “are not interchangeable,” and some repairs require a new retainer nut. Some cartridges also need a special tool; Moen includes one with its 1269 cartridge. Check the instructions for your exact cartridge first.
How do I fix a ball faucet?
Delta’s guide covers ball faucets with seats and springs. It notes the method does not apply to its DIAMOND Seal faucets.
- If water leaks around the cap or adjusting ring, try tightening the adjusting ring with needle-nose pliers first. If that fails, Delta says to replace the seats and springs.
- If water leaks around the stem, Delta says replacing the cam and packing should resolve it.
- Do not force the cap. Delta warns that too much pressure on the cap “may bend” it.
- Before reinstalling the aerator, Delta suggests flushing hot and cold for one minute, with an upside-down bucket over the spout.
How do I fix a compression faucet?
Compression faucets generally seal with a rubber washer pressed against a seat, so a drip often points to a worn washer. The usual fix is to replace the washer and any O-rings on the stem. A pitted seat may keep dripping even with a new washer.
Where do I get the right replacement part?
Take the old part to the hardware store and match it side by side. Similar-looking parts can differ. Moen notes, for example, that its 1224 and 1234 cartridges “are not interchangeable.” Moen says replacement cartridges are sold at local hardware stores. For a possible warranty part, Moen lists 1-800-BUY-MOEN.
Safety notes
- Never work on a faucet with the supply still open.
- If a shut-off valve will not close or leaks itself, stop and call a plumber.
Quick answers
Why does my faucet still drip after a new washer? The seat or another part may also be worn. Check the seat for pitting, and confirm the washer is the correct size.
Can I fix a leaky faucet without shutting off the water? No. Moen and Delta both say to close the supply valves first.
How much water does one drip per second waste? About 7.6 gallons a day, or roughly 2,779 gallons a year, using the USGS 11,350 drips-per-gallon figure.
Should I bring the old cartridge to the store? Yes. Matching it side by side avoids buying a look-alike part that will not fit.
Is a leaky faucet worth fixing? Usually, yes. A cartridge or washer is inexpensive compared with years of wasted water. Run your numbers in the water leak cost calculator.