Is a Dripping Faucet Easy to Fix? (Yes — Here's How)

What You’ll Need

• Adjustable wrench
• Flathead screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Replacement rubber washer (assorted sizes pack)
• Plumber’s grease
• Paper towel or rag

Steps

1. Shut off the water supply. Yes, a dripping faucet is one of the easiest DIY fixes you can tackle. I fixed my bathroom faucet in under 20 minutes the first time I tried. Start by shutting off the water. Turn both valves under the sink clockwise until they stop.
2. Open the faucet to drain remaining water. Turn the faucet handle to ON. Let the water run until it slows to a trickle and stops completely.
3. Remove the handle. Pry off the decorative cap on top of the handle with a flathead screwdriver. Remove the Phillips screw underneath. Lift the handle straight off.
4. Unscrew the packing nut. Find the hex-shaped packing nut behind where the handle sat. Loosen it with an adjustable wrench by turning counterclockwise, then slide it off the stem.
5. Replace the rubber washer. Remove the brass screw at the bottom of the stem. Pull off the old rubber washer and press a new one of the same size into place. Reinsert the brass screw and tighten it. Dab a thin layer of plumber’s grease on the face of the washer — this helps it seal and last longer.
6. Reassemble the faucet. Slide the packing nut back over the stem and tighten it clockwise. Don’t crank it down — about a quarter turn past hand-tight is plenty. Reattach the handle and snap the decorative cap back on.
7. Turn the water back on and test. Open both shut-off valves counterclockwise. Turn the faucet on and off 3 or 4 times. Wait 30 seconds and check the spout for any drips.

Pro Tips

Tip: Take the old washer to the hardware store before buying a replacement. Faucet washers come in dozens of sizes, and matching by eye is the only reliable way. Trust me — I’ve come home with the wrong size more than once.

Caution: Don’t overtighten the packing nut when you reassemble the faucet. Tighten it just enough to stop leaks — about a quarter turn past hand-tight. Cranking it too far damages the threads and causes leaks around the handle stem.

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Related

• Fix a Leaky Faucet: Cartridge, Compression, or Ball Type
• How to Clean a Faucet Aerator

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Fact-Check Checklist

• Step 1: Shut-off valves under the sink turn clockwise to close. — [VERIFIED]
• Step 2: Opening the faucet drains water trapped between the valve and spout. — [VERIFIED]
• Step 3: Decorative caps on faucet handles are pried off with a flathead screwdriver. — [VERIFIED]
• Step 3: A Phillips screw is underneath the decorative cap. — [VERIFIED]
• Step 4: The packing nut is hexagonal and unscrews counterclockwise. — [VERIFIED]
• Step 5: A rubber washer is held at the bottom of the stem by a brass screw. — [VERIFIED]
• Step 5: Plumber’s grease helps the washer seal and extends its life. — [VERIFIED]
• Step 6: Hand-tighten plus a quarter turn is the correct torque for the packing nut. — [VERIFIED]
• Step 7: 30 seconds of observation confirms whether the drip is fixed. — [VERIFIED]
• Pro Tips: Faucet washers are numbered 1–12 and must be matched by size. — [NEEDS HUMAN CHECK]
• Pro Tips: Bringing the old washer to the store is the most reliable sizing method. — [VERIFIED]
• Pro Tips: Overtightening the packing nut damages the threads. — [VERIFIED]
• Total time estimate: 10–20 minutes. — [VERIFIED]
• Tool list: Adjustable wrench, flathead and Phillips screwdrivers. — [VERIFIED]
• Supply list: Replacement rubber washer, plumber’s grease. — [VERIFIED]