Dripping or leaking faucet

Common Causes

1. Worn cartridge or ceramic disc (most common in single-handle faucets)
2. Worn rubber seat washers (compression-style two-handle faucets)
3. O-ring failure at spout base (causes drip from base of spout)
4. Hard water scale preventing cartridge from fully seating

What You Can Try First

1. Identify faucet type: ball (single handle rotating), cartridge (single or two-handle), compression (two-handle, older style), or ceramic disc
2. Shut off the supply valves under the sink
3. Take photos of the disassembly before removing parts
4. For cartridge faucets: pull the handle, remove the retaining clip, pull the cartridge straight up, and replace with an identical new cartridge (bring the old one to the hardware store)
5. For compression (older) faucets: replace the rubber seat washer and O-rings
6. For ceramic disc: clean the ceramic disc with white vinegar before replacing — often resolves the drip
7. One drip per second wastes ~11,000 litres per year

When to Call a Pro

• Leak is from the supply line or shut-off valve, not the faucet itself
• Water is leaking under the cabinet or has damaged cabinetry
• Corrosion has seized the cartridge or packing nut
• You cannot identify the faucet brand to source parts