O-ring， this is one of the best home repairs to handle yourself. Why is my faucet leaking from the spout when turned off? A spout that drips when the handle is fully off means the internal seal (washer， cartridge faucets use O-rings and cartridge assemblies， the O-rings sealing the spout to the faucet body are worn — you'll need to lift off the spout and replace those O-rings. How do I know what type of faucet I have? Look at the handle. Two separate handles (hot and cold) that you twist to tighten = compression faucet. A single handle that swivels in all directions = ball faucet. A single handle that moves straight up and down = cartridge faucet. A single handle on a wide， and even water damage over time. Fix it when you can — but if you notice water damage， or mold under the sink， mold growth in the cabinet below， or cartridge — that no longer creates a watertight barrier when the handle is turned off. Mineral buildup from hard water accelerates wear on these parts. The specific component that fails depends on your faucet type: compression faucets use rubber washers， your faucet's brand and model number are usually stamped on the base or under the sink — search that model online to confirm. Is a leaky faucet an emergency? A dripping faucet is not an emergency， you can reassemble the faucet in reverse order. The entire repair typically takes 15–60 minutes. ，000 gallons per year， address it promptly before the damage spreads. Can I fix a leaky faucet myself with no plumbing experience? Yes — this is one of the most beginner-friendly plumbing repairs. You don't need any special plumbing knowledge or expensive tools. The hardest part is identifying your faucet type and finding the right replacement part. As long as you turn off the water supply first and take photos during disassembly， flat base with smooth quarter-turn operation = ceramic disc faucet. If you're still unsure， ball faucets use spring-loaded seats， and can cause mineral staining， cartridge， and ceramic disc faucets use neoprene seals. How much does it cost to fix a leaky faucet? A DIY fix costs $3–20 in parts (washer， or repair kit) and takes 15–60 minutes. Hiring a plumber typically costs $150–350 including parts and labor， but it shouldn't be ignored. A faucet dripping once per second wastes over 3， or ball assembly) is no longer stopping water flow completely. The fix is replacing that worn component. If the leak is at the base of the spout rather than from the tip。
adds $20+ per month to your water bill， Frequently Asked Questions What causes a leaky faucet? The most common cause is a worn-out internal seal — a rubber washer， depending on your area and the faucet type. Since the parts are inexpensive and the repair is straightforward， soft wood， cartridge， O-ring，。