# How to Fix a Leaky Sink Faucet: Step-by-Step | Blue Collars > Have you found a leaky sink in your home? Don’t ignore it—call Blue Collars and try one of these home solutions to fix or contain it until we arrive. Source: https://bluecollars.com/blog/how-to-fix-a-leaky-sink-faucet/ # How to Fix a Leaky Sink Faucet No one wants to find a leak in a sink faucet. According to the EPA, leaky sinks are responsible for as much as 3,000 gallons of wasted water annually nationwide. A leaky sink faucet can contribute to rising water bills and worsen the damage that causes the leak, resulting in costly[leaky sink repairs](/plumbing/faucets-fixtures/sink-repair/). If you find a leaky sink in your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else in your home, don’t ignore it! Contact an[emergency plumber near you](/emergency-service/emergency-plumbing-services/) and try one of these solutions to fix or contain the leak before it worsens. ## **Preparatory Steps** Whether you have a single small leak or multiple large ones, leaky sink faucets are emergencies that require the skills and expertise of a plumber. Contact local[emergency plumbing services](/emergency-service/emergency-plumbing-services/) and explain the situation in detail: how many leaky faucets you have, the location of each leak, and how much water is dripping out. While waiting for your local plumbing experts to arrive, follow these steps before attempting any fixes or repairs: - **Turn off the water supply:** Your sink should feature a valve connecting it to the water mains. Turn the valve until the water supply has been cut off from the sink and repeat for every leaky sink in the home. If the specific valve is unlocatable or malfunctioning, shutting off the water mains for your house might be necessary. Doing so will halt the water supply to all appliances and stop further leakage, no matter where the leak is occurring. - **Open all leaky faucets:** Open the faucets completely once you have turned off each sink’s water supply. This will release any remaining water inside the faucets, relieving the air pressure in the pipes. - **Place a bucket under each leak:** If possible, locate the source of each leak and place a bucket or a dry towel under it. This will temporarily prevent dripping water from damaging your floors, walls or furniture. - **Inspect your sinks:** Identifying the source of each leak can provide helpful information to the[emergency plumber](/emergency-service/emergency-plumbing-services/) when they arrive. If possible, inspect each sink and faucet to locate where the leaks come from. ## **Identify the Faucet Type** If you feel comfortable attempting your own leaky sink repairs, identify the types of faucets you have. Most home faucets are grouped into four categories: compression, cartridge, ball and disc. Each requires different steps to fix. Here’s how to recognize each type of faucet: - **Compression faucets:** Compression faucets are an older type of faucet and are more common in older homes. They are recognizable by their separate hot and cold water handles, which you tighten or loosen to control the water flow. However, their older design makes them more prone to leaking than any other type. - **Cartridge faucets:** Cartridge faucets use a more modern and reliable design than their compression counterparts and come with one or two handles. Dual-handle models have separate hot and cold water controls. Compared to a compression model, you can recognize a cartridge faucet by the smoother and even feel of the levers. - **Ball faucets:** The ball faucet was the first home faucet that did not use washers and is common in kitchen sinks. You can recognize a ball faucet by its single handle that moves over a ball-shaped piece. - **Disc faucets:** A disc faucet uses a single lever on the side of a cylindrical body on which the faucet rests. The design of a disc faucet lever makes it easier for people with grip issues to use. ## **Home Fixes for Each Faucet Type** After identifying your home’s faucet types, try a[plumbing sink repair](/plumbing/faucets-fixtures/sink-repair/) method appropriate for each type. The steps to follow differ between each type due to the differences in design and construction. ### **Repairing an Older Compression Faucet** If your home is equipped with an older, compression-type faucet, follow these steps to identify the source of a leak and repair it: - Test both handles to ensure no water remains inside. - Locate the handle cap on each handle, then remove them to reveal the screw holding the handle in place. - Unscrew the handle screws with an appropriate screwdriver, then lift the handles off the faucet. - Carefully loosen the stem nut from the faucet with a wrench. - Pull the stem out of the faucet and inspect the O-ring. If it is worn out, it may be contributing to the leak. Replace it with a[model of the same size](https://www.allorings.com/userAssets/file/USAStandardSizes02.pdf). - Inspect the seat washer at the bottom of the seat. A worn-out washer causes most compression faucet leaks. Unscrew or unfasten it, then replace it with a new one of the same dimensions. - Follow the steps in reverse order to reassemble the faucet. ### **Fixing a Modern Faucet** Modern washerless faucets have cartridge, ball and disc-type designs. As with compression faucets, start by testing the handle (or both handles) to verify that no water is inside. Then, locate the handle caps, remove them and unscrew each handle from the faucet with an appropriate screwdriver. Once the handles are off, the next steps depend on the specific design: - **Cartridge faucets:** Find the circular retaining clip and take it out with pliers to access the cartridge. Lift the cartridge from the faucet assembly, then inspect it and the O-rings. Worn-out O-rings cause most leaks on cartridge faucets; cut them and replace them as needed. Replace the cartridge and the O-rings if it looks damaged, worn, or covered in buildup. - **Ball faucets:** Use a small toothless wrench to disassemble the cap and collar, then remove the cam, ball and washer to reveal the inlet seal and springs. Use pliers to remove the seal and springs, then inspect each one. Wear, tear, corrosion build-up and hard or brittle rubber seals are the most common causes of leaks on ball faucets. Replace the inlet seal and springs with new ones to address the leak. - **Disc faucets.** Locate the set screw under the handle, which may be hidden under a decorative cap. Take off the cap and use an appropriate screwdriver to loosen the set screw. Lift the handle out of the faucet assembly, then locate the screws securing the disc cartridge cover in place. Unscrew these, then pull the disc cartridge out. Inspect each ceramic disc in the cartridge for signs of damage, such as cracks, chips, or missing chunks and replace any damaged ones. Check the rubber seals and O-rings for signs of brittleness or wear and tear and replace them as needed. After inspecting and replacing faulty parts, follow the disassembly steps in reverse to reassemble the faucet. ## **Common Mistakes That Make a Leaky Faucet Worse** We see the same handful of mistakes come up repeatedly on service calls for what started as a simple faucet leak: - **Overtightening fittings.** Cranking a nut or fitting as tight as possible does not stop a leak. It often cracks the fitting or strips the threads, turning a $5 washer fix into a full faucet replacement. - **Mixing part sizes.** O-rings, washers, and cartridges are not universal. Installing a part that is close enough in size, but not exact, is one of the most common reasons a “fixed” faucet starts leaking again within a few weeks. - **Skipping the water shutoff.** Attempting a repair without fully shutting off the supply, or without opening the faucet first to relieve pressure, is how minor faucet leaks turn into a flooded cabinet. - **Using chemical drain cleaners on a related clog.** If the leak has caused buildup around the drain, avoid pouring chemical cleaners down it before a plumber has looked at the fixture. These chemicals can react with certain pipe materials and complicate a repair. ## **When to Call a Professional Instead** A DIY fix makes sense for a straightforward washer or O-ring replacement on a faucet you can identify and access easily. It’s time to call a plumber instead when: - The leak is coming from inside the wall or under the floor, not just at the faucet itself - You have replaced parts before and the same faucet is still leaking - The shutoff valve under the sink is corroded, stuck, or will not fully close - There is any visible water damage to the cabinet, wall, or ceiling below - The faucet is original to an older home and parts for that specific model are difficult to source Charleston’s older housing stock, and the salt air and humidity that come with coastal living, tend to accelerate corrosion on fittings and shutoff valves faster than in drier inland climates. What looks like a simple washer replacement can turn into a stuck or broken valve once you get into it, especially in homes more than a couple of decades old. If that happens mid-repair, stop and call rather than forcing a corroded valve, which can snap and turn a small leak into a bigger one. [Schedule Plumbing Service With Blue Collars](/about-us/schedule-a-service/) ## **Leaky Faucet FAQs** **How much does it cost to fix a leaky faucet?** A simple washer or O-ring replacement is typically one of the more affordable plumbing repairs. Cost increases if the cartridge or entire faucet needs replacement, or if a stuck shutoff valve needs to be addressed first. Blue Collars provides a flat-rate quote before any work begins. **Why does my faucet still leak after I replaced the washer?** This usually means either the wrong-size part was used, another component inside the faucet (like an O-ring or the seat itself) is also worn, or the leak is coming from a different location than assumed, such as the supply line connection rather than the faucet handle. **Is a dripping faucet actually worth fixing, or can it wait?** It is worth fixing sooner rather than later. Beyond the wasted water, a persistent drip can stain fixtures, encourage mineral buildup, and in some cases point to pressure issues elsewhere in the plumbing system. **Can hard water make faucet leaks worse in Charleston?** Mineral buildup from hard water can accelerate wear on internal faucet components like cartridges and seals, making leaks more frequent over the life of the fixture. If you are replacing parts often, a water treatment consultation may be worth discussing with your plumber. ## **Contact Blue Collars in Charleston, SC** Blue Collars is a team of professionals offering HVAC services and[plumbing in Charleston, SC](/plumbing/). We take pride in offering the reliability, work quality and customer service you deserve. We can find and repair leaky sinks in your home, regardless of type and severity and we offer 24-hour services for plumbing emergencies.[Contact us today](/about-us/schedule-a-service/) to schedule a service. 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