How much water does a dripping faucet waste?

A faucet dripping once per second wastes over 3,000 gallons per year. At two drips per second — a moderate drip — that's more than 6,000 gallons annually. A persistent drip is worth fixing promptly, both for water savings and to prevent mineral buildup in the drain.

What causes a kitchen faucet to drip?

Almost always a worn internal component: a cartridge (in single-handle faucets), ceramic disc, ball assembly, or O-rings and seat washers (in older two-handle compression faucets). The fix is replacing the worn part — not just tightening the handle.

Do I need to know the faucet brand to fix it?

Yes — replacement cartridges and parts are brand-specific. Check under the faucet for a manufacturer's logo or model number, or take the old cartridge to a hardware store and match it. Moen, Delta, Kohler, and Pfister are the major brands with widely available parts.

My kitchen faucet leaks at the base, not the spout. What's that?

A leak at the base of the spout (around the neck, not the tip) indicates a worn O-ring on the spout body — not the valve cartridge. The fix is replacing the O-ring(s) on the outside of the spout body, which is often easier than a full cartridge replacement.

How to Fix a Leaky Kitchen Faucet

A dripping kitchen faucet is easy to ignore — until you realize it's wasting thousands of gallons a year and slowly building up mineral deposits in your sink. The fix for most modern faucets is replacing the cartridge, which costs $10–$30 and takes about 30 minutes.

Identify Your Faucet Type

The repair approach depends on what type of faucet you have:

Single-handle cartridge faucet (most common modern faucets): one handle controls both hot and cold. Contains a cartridge that controls flow. This is the easiest type to repair.

Ball faucet: single handle that rotates and tilts. Contains a ball, springs, seats, and O-rings. More parts to replace.

Ceramic disc faucet: single lever over a wide cylindrical body. Very durable — rarely drips. If it does, cleaning or replacing the disc is the fix.

Two-handle compression faucet (older homes): separate hot and cold knobs. The oldest type, uses rubber seat washers and packing. Less common in modern kitchens.

This guide covers the single-handle cartridge — most common in kitchens built after 1990.

What You'll Need

Replacement cartridge (brand-specific — see below)
Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
Adjustable wrench or channel-lock pliers
Needle-nose pliers
Plumber's grease
Towels and a bucket

Finding the right cartridge:

Moen: Moen 1225 Cartridge — fits most Moen single-handle faucets
Delta: Delta RP46074 Cartridge — check your model number on Delta's site
Kohler: Cartridges vary by model — look up your Kohler model number

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Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply

Turn off the hot and cold shutoff valves under the sink (clockwise until they stop). Open the faucet to release pressure and drain the lines.

Place a towel in the sink basin and a small bucket under the faucet — water will drip during disassembly.

Step 2: Remove the Handle

On most single-handle faucets, the handle is held by a screw hidden under a decorative cap on the top or front of the handle. Pry off the cap with a flathead screwdriver. Remove the screw and lift the handle straight up.

Some handles also have a collar or retaining ring beneath them — remove it before proceeding.

Step 3: Access and Remove the Cartridge

With the handle off, you'll see the cartridge — a cylindrical component in the faucet body. It may be held by:

A retaining clip (a U-shaped clip across the top) — pull it out with needle-nose pliers
A retaining nut — loosen with a wrench counterclockwise

Grip the cartridge stem with pliers and pull straight up. If it resists, wiggle it gently side to side while pulling. Note the orientation — the cartridge must go back in the same direction (most have an ear or tab that aligns it).

Step 4: Inspect and Replace

Take the old cartridge to a hardware store to confirm the match, or order by brand and model number.

Before installing the new cartridge, apply a thin coat of plumber's grease to the O-rings and the outside of the cartridge body — this helps it seat properly and extends its life.

Slide the new cartridge in with the same orientation as the old one. Press firmly until it seats fully, then reinstall the retaining clip or nut.

Step 5: Reassemble and Test

Reinstall the handle collar and handle, and tighten the screw. Replace the decorative cap.

Turn the shutoff valves back on slowly. Open the faucet and let water run for 30 seconds to flush debris from the new cartridge. Test for drips from the spout and check for leaks at the handle.

If the faucet runs too hot or too cold: Some Moen and Delta cartridges have a temperature-limit stop that was set at the factory. Adjust it by removing the handle again and rotating the cartridge slightly — there's usually a notched ring or dial.

Fixing a Leak at the Base of the Spout

If water pools around the base of the faucet neck (not the tip), the O-rings on the spout body are worn.

Remove the spout (usually lifts off after removing a set screw or the cartridge)
Locate the O-rings on the outside of the spout body
Cut off the old O-rings and roll on new ones of the same size (bring the old ones to the hardware store to match diameter and thickness)
Coat with plumber's grease before reinstalling

This is a simpler repair than a full cartridge replacement.

When to Replace Instead of Repair

Replace the whole faucet if:

The faucet is over 15–20 years old and parts are hard to find
Multiple components are failing (cartridge, O-rings, finish)
The drip comes back within 6 months of a cartridge replacement (body corrosion)
You want to upgrade the style

See our kitchen faucet replacement guide for the full installation walkthrough.