How to Fix a Leaky Bathroom Faucet

Drips represent more than just a waste of water; they are a constant, rhythmic nuisance that can stain your sink basin and signal an internal breakdown of your plumbing hardware. Fixing a faucet is a classic rite of passage for every homeowner, requiring only a few basic tools and a bit of patience to dismantle the mechanism without damaging the finish. Success in this project hinges on one golden rule: turn off the water supply before you touch anything else. Once you have isolated the faucet, the job becomes a simple matter of disassembly, identifying the worn component, and swapping it out for a factory-fresh replacement. A job done well means a silent, dry faucet that turns smoothly and lasts for years to come.

  1. Kill the pressure first. Locate the shut-off valves under the sink and turn them clockwise until they stop. If you do not have valves under the sink, shut off the main water line to the house and open the faucet handles to drain the remaining pressure.
  2. Expose the valve stem. Pry off the decorative cap on top of the handle using a flat-head screwdriver. Once exposed, use an Allen wrench or screwdriver to loosen the handle screw and pull the handle straight up and off.
  3. Lift out the cartridge. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the packing nut or retaining clip holding the internal cartridge in place. Carefully lift the cartridge or valve stem out of the faucet body.
  4. Match your part exactly. Examine the rubber O-rings and the cartridge itself for cracks, debris, or flattening. Take the entire assembly to the hardware store to ensure you buy an exact match, as there are hundreds of proprietary sizes.
  5. Seat the new cartridge. Clean the inside of the faucet housing with a soft brush and a vinegar solution to remove mineral deposits. Slide the new cartridge or replace the rubber O-rings, ensuring they are seated perfectly flush.
  6. Verify the seal holds. Replace the retaining nut, tighten it firmly but do not overtighten, and reattach the handle. Slowly turn the water supply back on and check for leaks while cycling the handle through both hot and cold positions.