How to fix a dripping faucet
A faucet dripping once a second wastes 3,000 gallons a year by the EPA's count, worth $55.57 at New York City's 2026 water and sewer rates, so a $23.91 replacement cartridge pays for itself in about five months.
To fix a dripping faucet, shut off the water, identify the faucet type, and replace the part that seals: the cartridge in a cartridge faucet, the seats and springs in a ball faucet, or the washer and O-ring in a compression faucet. Clean the valve body before the new part goes in.
| Time | 30 to 60 minutes for a cartridge or washer (my estimate); 1 to 2 hours to replace a kitchen faucet |
| DIY cost | $6.28 (Delta seats and springs) to $23.91 (Moen 1225 cartridge), plus $5.99 of grease |
| Pro cost | $100 to $400, average $270 for repair; $162 to $364 to install a kitchen faucet (Angi, 2026) |
| Difficulty | Easy, once you know the type |
| Permit | None for repairing a leak in a fixture (2021 IRC R105.2). Replacing the whole faucet falls outside that exemption on paper; ask your building department. |
| Do not DIY | If the shutoff valves will not close, or the faucet is under warranty (ask the maker for the part first) |
Prices seen September 19, 2026 at Menards and Ace Hardware. Water rates as published by each city for 2026.
This guide covers leaky sink faucets in the kitchen and bathroom. A dripping tub spout or shower handle has its own guide, how to fix a leaky tub or shower faucet, and a dripping hose bib outside is covered in how to install an outdoor faucet.
Does a dripping faucet raise your water bill?
Yes. At one drip a second it is more than 3,000 gallons a year, $29.88 to $55.57 at 2026 Chicago and New York City rates. The EPA gives two numbers that make the math easy: a faucet dripping once a second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year, and a showerhead dripping 10 times a minute wastes more than 500. Work either one backward and you get the same drop, about 0.36 milliliters. That lets you scale to whatever your faucet is doing. Count the drips for one minute with your phone's timer, then read the table.
Price the water at what you pay to buy it and to send it down the drain, since most cities bill sewer from the water meter. New York City charges $5.35 per 100 cubic feet (about 748 gallons) from July 1, 2026, plus wastewater at 159% of that, which works out to $18.52 per 1,000 gallons. Chicago charges about $4.98 per 1,000 gallons from June 1, 2026, with sewer billed at 100% of water, so $9.96 per 1,000 gallons before its separate tax.
| Drips per minute | Gallons per year | Cost per year, NYC | Cost per year, Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (slow) | 500 | $9.26 | $4.98 |
| 30 | 1,500 | $27.79 | $14.94 |
| 60 (one a second) | 3,000 | $55.57 | $29.88 |
| 120 (nearly a stream) | 6,000 | $111.14 | $59.76 |
Another federal count gives a smaller drip. The USGS puts 15,140 drips in a gallon, a quarter milliliter each, which makes one drip a second 2,083 gallons a year, or $38.58 at the New York rate. The tub and shower faucet guide uses that USGS count; this page uses the EPA's. Neither is wrong. Drip size varies with the faucet and the water pressure, which is why counting and timing your own drip beats either figure.
Those are floors. The EPA says "more than" 3,000 gallons, and a hot-water drip also burns the energy that heated it. The payback on the repair is fast. At one drip a second, a $23.91 cartridge pays for itself in 5.2 months at New York prices and 9.6 months at Chicago's. A $6.28 seats-and-springs kit pays back in under three months in either city.
How do you tell which type of faucet you have?
Look at the handles and how they move, and buy parts only after you know the type.
| What you see | Type | Part that stops the drip | Price seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two handles that turn several times and tighten down hard | Compression | Rubber washer and O-ring on the stem | $6.99 (25 washers) |
| One handle on a rounded dome cap, moves in every direction (Delta) | Ball | Rubber seats and springs | $6.28 |
| One lever that lifts and rotates (many Moen) | Cartridge | Whole cartridge (Moen 1225) | $23.91 |
| Two handles that turn only part of a turn (Delta two-handle) | Stem cartridge | Cartridge, often with seats and springs | $9.54 + $6.28 |
| Newer single-lever kitchen faucets | Ceramic disc cartridge | Brand's cartridge (Moen Adler uses a 1255) | by model |
The brand name is usually on the handle, the base or the escutcheon plate. With a brand and model, the maker's parts diagram names the exact part. Delta says the same about its RP4993 kit: check the parts diagram before you start.
Parts and tools, with prices
| Item (seen 2026-09-19) | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Moen 1225 one-handle replacement cartridge | Menards | $23.91 |
| Cartridge puller for Moen (for stuck cartridges) | Menards | $17.98 |
| Delta seats and springs (RP4993) | Menards | $6.28 |
| Delta RP1740 two-handle cartridge | Menards | $9.54 |
| Assorted rubber faucet washers, 25 pk | Ace | $6.99 |
| Rubber O-ring assortment, 14 pk | Ace | $5.99 |
| Silicone plumber's grease, NSF, 0.5 oz | Ace | $5.99 |
Tools you already own do most of it: flat and Phillips screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, needle-nose pliers, a set of Allen keys, an old toothbrush and a towel. Plug the drain before you start so a clip or screw does not disappear. The Moen puller is worth buying only when a cartridge will not budge by hand. For replacing a whole faucet you will want a basin wrench ($19.99 at Ace).
How to fix a dripping single-handle cartridge faucet
This follows Moen's tutorial for the 1225 cartridge. Other brands differ in the clip and cap, and the sequence is the same.
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1. Shut off and relieve pressure
Close both supply valves under the sink, then open the faucet to drain the line and relieve pressure, as Moen instructs. With no stops under the sink, shut off the house main.
Check: the faucet runs dry and stays dry.
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2. Remove the handle
Pry off the decorative cap with a flat screwdriver, remove the handle screw, lift off the handle and the limit stop.
Check: the cartridge stem and the U-shaped retaining clip are visible.
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3. Pull the clip and the cartridge
Pull the clip with needle-nose pliers. Fit the plastic tool from the new cartridge's kit over the stem, twist 1/4 turn each way to break it loose, then pull the cartridge straight out with pliers.
Check: the cartridge comes out whole. If it will not move, use the puller rather than more force.
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4. Clean and flush the valve body
Moen recommends scrubbing the inside with a soft nylon brush, then briefly opening the supplies with a towel over the opening to flush grit out.
Check: no sand or scale visible inside the body.
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5. Install the new cartridge and clip
Push the cartridge straight in with its ears lined up with the clip notches. Reinstall the clip, the limit stop and the handle.
Check: hot is on the left when you face the faucet (2021 IRC P2722.2), and the handle moves through its full range without binding.
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6. Test
Open the supplies slowly, run hot and cold for a minute, shut it off and watch the spout.
Check: no drip after 10 minutes, and dry connections under the sink.
How to fix a Delta ball faucet with seats and springs
Delta calls its seats and springs kit the fix for drips when off, and says the design dates from the company's start in the 1950s. The steps are from Delta's instructions.
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1. Take it apart
Shut off the water and cover the drain. Loosen the handle set screw with the 1/8-inch wrench and lift off the handle. Unscrew and discard the adjusting ring if there is one, remove the cap, and pull up on the stem to lift out the cam, packing and ball.
Check: two small rubber seats are visible in the bottom of the body.
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2. Replace seats and springs
Lift out the old seats and springs. Wipe the ports with a soft damp cloth to clear mineral deposits. Drop in each new spring large end first, then a seat over it, open end down.
Check: both seats sit level in their ports.
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3. Reassemble and flush
Reinstall the ball, then the cam and packing with the cam tab in the body's slot, and the cap hand-tight. Remove the aerator, set the handle to a mixed position, open the supplies and let water flow for one minute, per Delta. Replace the aerator and handle.
Check: no drip, and no leak around the cap when the water is on.
How to fix a two-handle compression faucet
On an older faucet with washers, feel the spout to tell which side is dripping, which is the shortcut Delta suggests for two-handle faucets. Shut off that side's supply. Remove the handle, then unscrew the stem with an adjustable wrench. At the bottom of the stem, a brass screw holds a rubber washer. Replace the washer with an exact match from the assortment and replace the O-ring on the stem, coating both with silicone grease. Look into the body at the seat the washer presses against. A seat that is pitted or cut will chew a new washer in weeks; it can be replaced with a seat wrench or refaced with a seat dresser.
Check: the handle closes with light pressure and the drip stops. If it still drips, look at the seat.
Should you repair or replace a dripping faucet?
Repair wins on price almost every time. A Moen cartridge at $23.91 is 14% of a new $169.00 Moen Adler pull-down. Replace the faucet when the body itself is cracked or corroded, when the parts are no longer made, when the spout or base leaks rather than the valve, or when you are changing the sink or countertop anyway. Tub and shower faucets are a different job, covered in the guide to replacing a tub or shower faucet. Before buying either, check the warranty. Moen says most of its faucets carry its Lifetime Limited warranty, and the Adler's spec sheet covers leaks and drips for the original homeowner.
How to install a kitchen sink faucet
A permit note first. The 2021 IRC exempts repairing a leak in a fixture, but its exemption stops where a fixture is replaced (R105.2), so a new faucet is technically outside it. Many cities do not ask for a permit on a like-for-like swap; a call to the building department settles it. Anything that moves or adds a pipe, drain or valve is permit work, and in many places it is reserved for a licensed plumber.
The Moen Adler ($169.00 at Menards) is a typical current design, and its spec sheet sets the limits to check before you buy any faucet. It mounts through 1 or 3 holes of at least 1-1/2 inches diameter, on a deck no thicker than 2-1/2 inches, and its supply lines end in 3/8-inch compression fittings that fit a standard stop. The pulldown hose is 68 inches and clips on with a quick connect. Flow is limited to 1.5 gallons per minute at 60 psi.
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1. Remove the old faucet
Shut off both stops and open the faucet. Disconnect the supply lines, then use a basin wrench to remove the mounting nuts from under the deck. Scrape off old putty or sealant.
Check: the stops hold with the faucet open and the old lines off. If one weeps, replace it before going further.
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2. Mount the new faucet
For a three-hole sink use the deck plate and its gasket; for one hole, the gasket alone. Feed the lines and hose through, center the faucet, and tighten the mounting hardware from below.
Check: the faucet does not rotate when you push the spout.
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3. Connect supplies and hose
Thread the 3/8-inch compression lines onto the stops, hot on the left (P2722.2). If an older faucet has 1/2-inch shanks, a 3/8 by 1/2-inch braided line bridges the gap ($9.99 at Ace). Snap the pulldown hose into its quick connect and hang the weight where it lets the hose retract freely.
Check: the spray head docks fully when released.
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4. Flush and test
Remove the spray head or aerator, open the stops and run both sides to clear debris, then reattach.
Check: a dry paper towel under every connection after 10 minutes of use, and again the next day.
Mistakes that cost money
| Mistake | What happens | What it costs |
|---|---|---|
| Buying a cartridge before identifying the faucet | Wrong part | $23.91 plus a trip |
| Skipping the flush of the valve body | Grit scores the new seals and it drips again | A second cartridge, $23.91 |
| Forcing a stuck cartridge with pliers | Cartridge breaks inside the body | $17.98 puller, or a new faucet |
| Cartridge rotated on reinstall | Hot and cold reversed, fails P2722.2 | Another 20 minutes |
| Leaving the drain open | Clip or set screw lost | A repair kit to get one small part |
| Ignoring the drip | 3,000 gallons a year at one per second | $29.88 to $55.57 a year |
How much does a plumber charge to fix a leaky faucet?
Angi puts it at $100 to $400, averaging $270, in 2026. The median plumber earned $30.67 an hour in the May 2025 BLS survey, or $44.13 once loaded with benefits: in the June 2026 BLS ECEC, wages are 69.5% of total compensation in the private construction industry. A service call carries travel and overhead on top, which is why the bill runs well above the wage, with plumber hourly rates of $45 to $200 in Angi's data. The parts inside that bill cost $6.28 to $23.91.
The payback math is lopsided. A $270 repair against a one-a-second drip takes 58 months to recover at New York prices and 108 months at Chicago's. The same repair done yourself with a $23.91 cartridge takes 5 to 10 months. Hire a plumber when the stops will not close, when the faucet body or supply lines are corroded, or when you are replacing the sink and faucet together and want one person responsible for the whole job. For a kitchen faucet swap, Angi's $262 average is worth paying only if you do not own a basin wrench and do not want to lie under the sink. If the faucet is part of a bigger project, the bathroom remodel guide covers the order of work and the toilet guide covers the other fixture you are likely to touch.
Frequently asked questions
Does a dripping faucet increase the water bill?
Yes, and by more than most people expect. The EPA says a faucet dripping once a second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year. At New York City's July 2026 water and wastewater rates ($18.52 per 1,000 gallons combined) that is $55.57 a year; at Chicago's June 2026 rates, with sewer billed at 100% of water ($9.96 per 1,000 gallons), it is $29.88. A slow drip of 10 a minute is one sixth of that. The EPA also says fixing easily corrected household leaks saves about 10% on water bills.
Why is my faucet dripping when it is turned off?
Something that is supposed to seal has worn out. In a two-handle compression faucet it is the rubber washer at the bottom of the stem. In a Delta-style ball faucet it is the rubber seats and springs, which Delta lists as the fix for drips when off. In a cartridge faucet, such as a Moen with the 1225 cartridge, it is the cartridge's seals. Mineral grit on the seats can cause the same drip, which is why both Moen and Delta tell you to clean or flush the valve body before putting new parts in.
How do I fix a dripping faucet with two handles?
Find which side drips, since Delta notes you can often tell by feeling the spout for hot or cold. Shut off that side's supply, remove the handle and unscrew the stem or cartridge. On an older compression stem, replace the washer and the O-ring; on a Delta two-handle faucet, replace the seats and springs and, if needed, the stem cartridge ($9.54 for a Delta RP1740 at Menards). Grease the O-rings with silicone plumber's grease and reassemble.
Why is my faucet dripping hot water?
On a two-handle faucet, the hot side's washer, seat or cartridge has worn. Repair that side, or both while you have the tools out. On a single-handle faucet there is one cartridge or ball for both temperatures, so a hot drip still means replacing that one part. If hot and cold end up reversed after a repair, the part went in rotated: the 2021 IRC, section P2722.2, requires hot on the left as you face the faucet.
How much does a plumber charge to fix a leaky faucet?
Angi's 2026 data puts professional leaky faucet repair at $100 to $400, with an average of $270, and plumber hourly rates at $45 to $200. The parts behind that bill are usually $6.28 to $23.91. Against a drip of one a second, a $270 call takes almost 5 years to pay for itself at New York City water prices and 9 years at Chicago's; a $23.91 cartridge you install yourself pays back in 5 to 10 months.
How do I know which faucet cartridge I need?
Find the brand first, usually printed on the handle, base or escutcheon, then match the part by model. Moen's common single-handle cartridge is the 1225; newer Moen kitchen faucets such as the Adler use the 1255 Duralast cartridge, according to its spec sheet. Delta publishes seats and springs as the RP4993 kit. When in doubt, pull the old cartridge first and take it to the store to match it side by side.
Sources
- U.S. EPA WaterSense, Fix a Leak Week : A faucet dripping one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year; a showerhead leaking 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year; fixing easily corrected household leaks can save about 10% on water bills. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- New York City Water Board, Water and Wastewater Rate Schedule effective July 1, 2026 : Metered water $5.35 per 100 cubic feet (about 748.052 gallons); wastewater charge 159% of the water charge. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- City of Chicago, Water and Sewer Rates : Effective 6/1/2026: water $37.18 per 1,000 cubic feet, approximately $4.98 per 1,000 gallons; sewer charge 100% of the water charge since 1/1/2015. The separate water-sewer tax is not included here. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- USGS Water Science School, drip calculator : One gallon = 15,140 drips, from a drip volume of 1/4 milliliter. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- Moen, Installing the Moen 1200 or 1225 cartridge (tutorial) : Turn supplies off and open the faucet to relieve pressure; flush the valve before installing; pry cap, remove handle screw, handle and limit stop; remove the retaining clip with pliers; twist the cartridge 1/4 turn each way with the plastic tool and pull straight out; install with the ears aligned to the clip notch; reinstall the clip. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- Moen, Using a 104421 cartridge removal tool : Puller for 1200, 1225 and 1222 cartridges; clean and flush the valve body before installing the replacement. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- Moen, Warranty information : Most Moen faucets are backed by Moen's Lifetime Limited warranty. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- Moen, Adler 87233 kitchen faucet specifications : Installs through 1 or 3 holes, 1-1/2 in. minimum diameter; 2-1/2 in. maximum deck thickness; 3/8 in. compression connections; 68 in. braided pulldown hose; Duralock quick connect; 1.5 gpm at 60 psi; 1255 Duralast cartridge; lifetime limited warranty against leaks, drips and finish defects to the original homeowner. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- Delta Faucet, RP4993 Seats and Springs Repair Kit : Solves drips when off; kit has 2 seats and 2 springs; used in single-handle ball faucets, two-handle stem faucets and many tub/shower valves; wipe the ports clean; springs in large end first, seats open end down; align the cam tab; flush one minute with the aerator off. Updated Feb 11, 2025. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- Delta Faucet, What do I do about water dripping from the spout of my two-handle kitchen faucet? : You can typically tell which side is dripping by feeling the spout: warm or hot means the hot valve; replace that side's seats and springs, then the other side, then both stem assemblies (RP1740) if it persists. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- ICC, 2021 IRC, Chapter 27, Section P2722.2, and Chapter 1, Section R105.2 : P2722.2: the left-hand side of the temperature control is hot when facing the outlet. R105.2 (chapter 1): no permit for repairing leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, provided the repair does not involve replacing or rearranging valves, pipes or fixtures. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- Menards, faucet parts and faucets (prices seen 2026-09-19, store prices vary) : Moen 1225 one-handle replacement cartridge SKU 6748719 $23.91; Danco cartridge puller for Moen 6941630 $17.98; Delta faucet seats and springs 6748803 $6.28; Delta RP1740 two-handle cartridge 6740225 $9.54; Moen Adler one-handle pull-down kitchen faucet 6734688 $169.00.
- Ace Hardware, faucet repair parts and tools (prices seen 2026-09-19) : Ace assorted rubber faucet washers 25 pk $6.99; Ace rubber O-ring assortment 14 pk $5.99; Danco NSF silicone grease 0.5 oz item 4768503 $5.99; Superior Tool 11 in. basin wrench $19.99; Ace 3/8 in. compression x 1/2 in. FIP 20 in. supply line $9.99.
- Angi, Cost to fix a leaky faucet (aggregator, cross-check only) : Normal range $100 to $400, average $270; plumber hourly rates $45 to $200. Updated Jul 9, 2026. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- Angi, Kitchen faucet installation cost (aggregator, cross-check only) : Normal range $162 to $364, average $262, based on 1,438 projects. Updated Aug 24, 2026. Accessed 2026-09-19.
- BLS, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, and ECEC Table 4 (June 2026) : Plumbers (47-2152) national median hourly wage $30.67; ECEC Table 4, private construction industry: wages $36.13 of $51.96 total compensation, 69.5% (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.t04.htm). Accessed 2026-09-19.