Leaky faucet

What It Means

A leaky faucet keeps dripping from the spout, or seeps around the handle, after you've turned it off. EPA WaterSense says old, worn washers and gaskets are a frequent cause, and faucet makers Kohler, Moen and Delta say a steady drip from the spout usually means the valve cartridge under the handle has worn out. By WaterSense's figure, a faucet dripping once every second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water a year.

How It Sounds at Home

• "The bathroom faucet won't stop dripping."
• "I can hear the kitchen tap dripping at night."
• "It only leaks when the handle's all the way off."

The Breakdown

Fix it, following Kohler, Moen and Delta

1. Close the hot and cold supplyMilk supplyHow much breast milk a parent's body makes. It's driven by supply and demand: the more often milk is removed, the more the body makes. See more valves under the sink, then open the faucet to let the last of the water drain out.
2. Buhata's own suggestion: put the stopper in or lay a rag over the drain so small parts can't fall in.
3. Find your faucet's model number and use the maker's parts lookup to get the matching cartridge.
4. Pry off the handle's decorative cap, remove the screw under it with a screwdriver or hex key, and lift the handle off.
5. Pull the old cartridge out, wiggling it gently as you go.
6. Install the new cartridge following your maker's instructions, put the handle back, and turn the supply valves on slowly to check for drips.

Where the leak is, and what it points to

Short version to try today. Find the model number on your faucet or its paperwork, so the right part is easy to order.

Good to Know

Shut the water off before you take anything apart. If the valves under the sink won't close, use the main water shut-off to the house. Buhata's own advice: call a licensed plumber if a supply valve is stuck or leaking, the pipes under the sink are wet or corroded, or a new cartridge doesn't stop the drip. EPA WaterSense counts dripping faucets among the most common household leaks and says many are easy to fix with a few tools.

Related Terms and Categories

• Faucet aerator

  The small screened cap on the tip of a faucet spout that shapes the stream and limits how much water flows through.

• Low water pressure

  Water that comes out of taps and showers weaker than it should, from a clog at one fixture or a valve, regulator, leak or supply problem affecting the whole house.

• Hard water stains

  White, chalky marks left on glass, faucets, tile and toilets when hard water dries and leaves its calcium and magnesium behind.

• Licensed contractor

  A contractor who holds the license your state or local government requires for the kind of work being done, which you can check before you hire.

Home maintenance and repairs