Identify the faucet type first
The repair depends on what is inside the handle, and there are four common designs.
| Type | How to recognize it | What wears out |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Separate hot and cold handles that turn several times and tighten to close | Rubber washers and the seats they press on |
| Cartridge | One or two handles that move smoothly; stop at full open | The cartridge and its O-rings |
| Ball | A single lever over a rounded cap, common on older kitchen faucets | Springs, seats and cam seals |
| Ceramic disc | A single lever over a wide cylinder | Seals under the disc; discs crack if debris gets in |
Cartridges are specific to the maker and often to the model year, so the brand and a photo of the faucet save a second trip.
Leaky faucet: where the drip comes from
A drip from the spout means water is getting past the closing mechanism: a washer or seat on a compression faucet, the cartridge on most modern ones. Water around the base of the handle or spout means a failed O-ring. Water under the sink is a different problem, usually a supply line or the connection under the deck. EPA's figure for a faucet dripping once per second is more than 3,000 gallons a year, which is why small drips are worth the call.
Weak flow from one faucet
When one faucet runs weakly and the rest of the house is fine, unscrew the aerator at the tip of the spout and rinse out the grit. Sediment released by water main work often collects there. If flow is still weak, check that both stop valves under the sink are fully open, then look at the cartridge, which can clog with the same debris. Keep in mind that newer bathroom faucets are designed to flow less: WaterSense models are limited to 1.5 gallons per minute against a standard 2.2, which EPA says reduces flow by 30 percent or more. If the whole house is weak, see our low water pressure page instead.
Stiff or noisy handles
A handle that is hard to turn usually has mineral buildup on the cartridge or dry O-rings; cleaning and silicone grease sometimes fix it, a new cartridge always does. A faucet that squeals or chatters when opened has a loose washer or a worn cartridge vibrating in the flow. Knocking when the faucet closes quickly is water hammer, a pressure surge in the pipe, and it can be a sign that household pressure is too high.
Outdoor faucets and hose bibs
Outdoor faucets fail from freezing more than from wear. A standard hose bib holds water right at the wall, where it can freeze and split. A freeze-resistant sillcock closes deep inside the heated wall, but only drains if the hose is disconnected; a hose left on traps water in the long stem and splits it where you can't see it until spring, when the leak runs inside the wall. Replacing a split sillcock is a common spring call. Most also need a vacuum breaker, which keeps water in a hose from being siphoned back into the house supply.
Repair or replace the faucet
| Job | National range |
|---|---|
| Leaky faucet, fixed | $150–$350 |
| Shower or tub cartridge replacement | $100–$300 |
| Leaky shower faucet or valve, all causes | $100–$750 |
Source: Fixr, Shower Repair Cost, updated January 31, 2025.
Shower and tub faucets hide their valve behind the wall and have their own guide: shower valve replacement. For other kitchen and bath fixtures, start at plumbing fixture repair.
Faucet questions, short answers
Is a dripping faucet worth fixing?
Yes. EPA estimates a faucet dripping once a second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year, and a drip on the hot side also wastes the energy used to heat that water.
Why does my faucet drip after I replaced the washer?
The seat the washer presses against may be worn or pitted. On compression faucets the seat can be replaced or dressed with a seat wrench; if it can’t, the faucet itself is at the end of its life.
How do I stop an outdoor faucet from freezing?
Disconnect hoses before the first freeze, close the indoor shutoff for the hose bib if it has one, and open the outdoor faucet to drain it. A freeze-resistant sillcock only works if the hose is off.
Should I replace the faucet instead?
Consider it when the body is corroded, parts are no longer made, or you have repaired it more than once in a few years. A new faucet also brings WaterSense flow rates.
Sources
- Shower Repair Cost, Fixr, updated January 31, 2025.
- WaterSense Statistics and Facts, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, updated March 11, 2026.
- WaterSense: Bathroom Sink Faucets, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, updated June 16, 2026.
Reviewed September 27, 2026. Found an error? Write to admin@plumbingrepairquotes.com.