Fixing a leaky faucet isn’t just about silencing that annoying drip. It is about conserving water, preventing damage to your sink, and A faucet almost always leaks for one reason: a worn internal part. In most faucets that means a hardened washer, a cracked O-ring, a corroded valve seat, or a failing cartridge. When any of those wears out, water slips past the seal and drips from the spout or the handle. The good news is that most dripping faucets are a repair, not a replacement, and many are fixable in an afternoon with basic tools. The exception is a leak that keeps coming back after a repair, which usually points to a corroded valve seat or worn faucet body that a plumber should look at.
Here is what causes each kind of leak and how to fix it.
The common causes of a leaking faucet
- Worn washer or seat washer. In compression faucets, a rubber washer presses against the valve seat every time you shut the water off. Years of friction flatten and harden it, and the seal fails. This is the single most common cause of a dripping spout.
- Corroded valve seat. The valve seat connects the faucet to the spout. Mineral buildup from hard water (common across San Antonio) corrodes it, and water leaks around the connection even with a fresh washer.
- Worn O-ring. The O-ring seals the handle. When it loosens or cracks, the faucet drips at the base of the handle rather than the spout.
- Failing cartridge. Cartridge, ceramic-disc, and ball faucets use a moving cartridge instead of a washer. When it wears, the faucet drips or gets hard to turn.
- Water pressure or worn parts. Occasionally a faucet only drips at certain times of day or when the handle sits a certain way, which points to pressure issues or a part that no longer seats correctly.
How to fix a dripping faucet by type
Before you start any repair, shut off the water at the supply valves under the sink and plug the drain so small parts do not fall in.
Compression (two-handle) faucets. These are the ones with a separate hot and cold handle that tighten down. Remove the handle, unscrew the packing nut, and pull out the stem. The seat washer sits at the bottom. Replace the washer, and if the valve seat feels rough, replace or resurface it too. Swap the O-ring while you are in there.
Cartridge faucets. Pull the handle and the retaining clip, then slide the cartridge straight out. Replace it with the matching part for your faucet brand. This fixes both spout drips and stiff handles.
Ceramic-disc and ball faucets. These single-handle faucets use a disc or ball assembly. Replacing the seals and springs (ball) or the disc cartridge (ceramic) usually stops the drip.
Fixing a faucet that leaks from the handle
A leak at the base of the handle instead of the spout is almost always a worn O-ring or a loose packing nut. Tighten the packing nut first. If it still weeps, replace the O-ring. On a washerless faucet leaking from the handle, the cartridge seals are the usual culprit.
When to call a plumber
Most drips are DIY-friendly. Call a professional when:
- The leak returns after you have replaced the washer and O-ring, which usually means a corroded valve seat or worn faucet body.
- You see water under the sink or in the cabinet, which points to a supply-line or connection leak rather than the faucet itself.
- The shutoff valves under the sink do not fully stop the water.
- The faucet is old, and replacing parts costs more than it is worth.
A small, ignored drip adds up. A faucet dripping once per second wastes thousands of gallons a year and can stain fixtures and corrode the valve seat further, which turns a cheap washer fix into a full faucet replacement.
Chambliss Plumbing repairs and replaces faucets throughout San Antonio and the surrounding areas. If a drip keeps coming back or you would rather not take the faucet apart yourself, contact us and we will take care of it.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my faucet dripping even after I turned it off tight?
A drip that continues when the handle is fully closed means the internal seal has failed. On compression faucets that is a worn washer or valve seat; on single-handle faucets it is a worn cartridge. Cranking the handle harder will not seal it and can damage the seat further.
Is a dripping faucet an emergency?
No. A dripping faucet is a repair you can schedule, not an emergency. It does waste water and can worsen over time, so it is worth fixing sooner rather than later, but it does not need same-night service.
Can I fix a leaky faucet myself?
Most people can. Replacing a washer, O-ring, or cartridge takes basic tools and a matching replacement part. If the leak returns after the repair or you find water inside the cabinet, that is the point to call a plumber.
How much water does a leaky faucet waste?
A faucet dripping about once per second wastes over 3,000 gallons a year. That is both a higher water bill and ongoing wear on the valve seat.
