How to Fix a Dripping Faucet

Identifying Your Faucet Type

Before attempting a repair, identify whether you have a compression, ball, cartridge, or ceramic disc faucet. Compression faucets have two handles and use rubber washers. Ball faucets have a single handle that moves over a rounded ball cap. Cartridge faucets can be single or double handle and use a cylindrical cartridge. Ceramic disc faucets have a single lever over a wide cylindrical body. Each type requires a different repair approach.

Compression Faucet Repair

Turn off the water supply valves under the sink. Remove the handle by prying off the decorative cap and unscrewing the handle screw. Use a wrench to unscrew the packing nut, then pull out the stem. At the bottom of the stem, you will find a rubber seat washer held by a brass screw. Replace this washer with an exact-size replacement (bring the old one to the hardware store for matching). Also inspect the valve seat in the faucet body — if it is rough or pitted, it will chew through new washers quickly and should be resurfaced with an inexpensive seat grinding tool.

Cartridge and Ball Faucet Repair

For cartridge faucets, remove the handle, then pull out the retaining clip and extract the cartridge with pliers. Replace the entire cartridge with a manufacturer-matched replacement — they are specific to each faucet model. For ball faucets, purchase a complete ball faucet repair kit that includes new springs, seats, O-rings, and cam assemblies. Remove the handle, cap, and cam, then replace all the rubber and spring components at once rather than trying to identify the single worn part.

Ceramic Disc Faucet Repair

Ceramic disc faucets rarely drip, but when they do, the fix is straightforward. Remove the handle and the escutcheon cap to access the disc cartridge. Lift out the cartridge and inspect the rubber seals on the bottom — replace them if worn or cracked. Also clean the disc surfaces and the cylinder openings in the faucet body. When reinstalling, turn the water back on very slowly to prevent the sudden pressure from cracking the ceramic discs.