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Is that incessant drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet driving you up the wall? Don't worry, this is usually something you can fix yourself in under an hour, even if you don't have a lot of home improvement experience. Even better, you can usually replace the worn-out part and stop the leak for under $50—much cheaper than calling out a professional plumber. But don't put it off! In addition to the annoyance, a leaky faucet can cause you to waste over a hundred gallons of water a year.[1] Taking the handle apart is pretty much the same regardless of the type of faucet you have, but then the fix will differ somewhat depending on whether you have a cartridge, ceramic disk, or compression handle.

  1. 1

    Turn off the water that runs to the sink. You don't have to shut off water to your entire house just to fix a leaky faucet! Open the cabinet under the sink and you'll see the shutoff valves. Since you have 2 handles, you'll likely also have 2 shutoff valves—left for hot and right for cold. Shut them off one at a time, then see if your leak stops. That'll tell you which handle is the culprit.[2]

    • Even if only one handle is leaky, it might be worth your time to go ahead and replace the parts in both of them. If they're both the same age and one of them is leaking, it's only a matter of time before the other one starts leaking as well.

  2. 2

    With the water shut off, open the tap completely to let all the water drain out. This clears any of the water that was already in the pipes before you turned the water off (there shouldn't be much). You might still have a drip or two, but it'll be fine. They don't need to be completely dry.[3]

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  3. 3

    Plug the sink drain or cover it with a towel. This keeps any screws or small parts from accidentally falling down the drain, which you definitely don't want! If you don't have a plug that fits into the top of the drain hole, a washcloth or paper towel will do the trick.[4]

    • Covering the sink with a towel also protects the finish if you happen to drop a tool you're using.[5]

  4. 4

    Remove the decorative caps from each of the handles. All faucet handles are designed differently, so examine your handle carefully from all sides to figure out how to take it apart to get to the inside. Some may simply twist off, while others have a plastic cap you need to pop out first (you can use the tip of a nail file or other slender object for this).[6]

    • Some faucet handles are screwed on. If you pop off the decorative cap and see a screw underneath, get a screwdriver that fits the head of the screw and loosen it to take the handle off.
    • Faucets also have instruction guides! If you can't figure out how to get the handles apart, search the brand name of the faucet to find the instruction guide online. It'll tell you what you need to do.[7]
    • If your handles have polished surfaces, cover them with masking tape before you start using tools to take them apart—it'll help protect the finish.[8]

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A cartridge faucet has a slender plastic or metal cylinder that sits just inside the faucet handle and controls the water flow.[9]

  1. 1

    Unscrew the retainer nuts to get to the cartridges. Most faucets of this type have a nut fastened on top that holds the cartridge in place. You can usually unscrew it with your fingers, but you might need to use a set of pliers to loosen it first.[10]

  2. 2

    Pull out the cartridges with long-nose pliers. Use the pliers to grip the sides of the cartridge securely and slide it upward. You might have to twist it a quarter-turn or so to get it out. If you feel resistance when you pull upward, twist it a quarter-turn in either direction and try again.[11]

    • Some cartridges require a special cartridge-removal tool. If you're trying to get it out with pliers and having a hard time, search your faucet brand on the internet and find an instruction guide. If a special tool is needed, it'll tell you.

  3. 3

    Take the old cartridges to a hardware store to buy replacements. You can take apart the cartridge and replace the o-rings (that's usually what's worn out), but it's usually easier to just go ahead and replace the whole thing.[12] Expect each cartridge to cost between $10 and $80 depending on the brand.[13]

    • If you downloaded the instruction manual for your faucet off the internet, it'll have a part number for the cartridge you need. Copy that down and take it with you as well.
    • Even if you don't have the instruction manual, it's still a good idea to note the brand of faucet you have (it's usually printed somewhere on the faucet). The cartridge packages will usually list the brands they're compatible with.

  4. 4

    Put the new cartridges in place and screw the handles back on. Slot the cartridge back into place the same way the old one was. If you had to twist the old cartridge to remove it, twist the new one in the opposite direction to lock it in place. Make sure it's straight, then screw the retainer nut back on top.[14]

    • When you put the handle back on, test it to make sure it turns or moves the same way it did before you took it apart. Then, repeat the same process with the other handle.
    • Don't turn your water back on until you've fixed both handles.

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Ceramic disk faucets have metal stems under the handle with ceramic disks inside them. These disks rotate to control the water flow.[15]

  1. 1

    Remove the handle "bonnets." With a ceramic disk faucet, you'll usually have a decorative metal cover that the handle sits on. These typically just pull off—the pressure from the handle itself holds it in place. If it won't pull directly off, give it a twist and see if it screws in place.[16]

    • If you're going to use pliers or another tool to remove the bonnet, wrap it in a cloth or cover it with masking tape to keep your tool from scratching the finish.

  2. 2

    Lay out the pieces of the faucet in the order you removed them. This makes it easier for you to put the faucet back together once you've replaced the seals to fix the leak. It helps to place a towel down on the counter where you're laying out your parts so they won't roll around, especially if you inadvertently bump them.[17]

    • If you have the counter space, try to keep the parts for each handle on that side of the sink so you don't get them mixed up. They're usually interchangeable, but it's still better to just keep them together.

  3. 3

    Pull out the ceramic stems and seals on the underside. Pop out the ceramic stem, then use a knife-point or pliers to pry out the seals. Since you're going to replace the stem, there's no need to keep those seals—you can just throw them away. You'll get new ones with your replacements.[18]

    • If you notice dirt build-up or debris, you might want to clean out the faucet where the new stem will sit before you put a replacement in. A damp rag with some white vinegar or some basic bathroom cleaner will do the trick.

  4. 4

    Take the ceramic stems to a hardware store to buy replacements. Ceramic stems typically cost between $15 and $50 to replace. If you take the old one with you, it'll be easier to match it up with a replacement. You can also check your faucet's user manual for a specific part number.[19]

    • It is possible to take the ceramic stem apart, clean it, put it back together, replace it, and then see if that fixes the problem—but sometimes it doesn't, and then you end up buying a replacement anyway. It's up to you, but it's probably more efficient just to go ahead and replace both of them.

  5. 5

    Drop the neoprene seal in place, then set the stem on top. Provided you've got the correct part, the replacement stem should slot right into place. You might have to twist the stem a quarter-turn one way or the other to seat it properly.[20]

  6. 6

    Put the handles back together. Add on each of the parts in the reverse order that you removed them. Move your handle around once it's in place to make sure it can still move smoothly like it did before.[21]

    • Turn on the water and test first one handle, then the other. You should be drip-free!

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Compression faucets control water flow with a rubber washer. This is an older design that isn't common in the 21st century, but you still see them in older homes.[22]

  1. 1

    Remove the handles and packing nuts. With the handle off, you'll see a nut at the top of the valve stem. You might be able to unscrew it with just your fingers, but if it's on too tightly, grip it with pliers to get it off.[23]

    • Hold the valve stem with one hand while you turn the nut to make sure you're only turning the nut and not the valve stem too.

  2. 2

    Turn the valve stems counter-clockwise to unscrew them. Use pliers to hold the valve stem if you can't get a good grip on it with your fingers. After a few turns, you should be able to pull the entire thing completely out.[24]

  3. 3

    Unscrew the screw holding the washer on the bottom of the valve stem. Turn this screw slowly and carefully. If it's worn or corroded, it's possible that it'll break apart as you're trying to unscrew it. Just take your time.[25]

    • As you loosen the screw, you'll see the washer loosen as well. With the screw off, the washer will just fall off in your hand. Be careful not to lose it! You'll need to take it with you to the hardware store so you can make sure you buy the right replacement.

  4. 4

    Take the washer to your local hardware store. With your old washer in hand, you can make sure you get a replacement that's the exact same size, shape, and thickness. These washers shouldn't cost you more than a few dollars.[26]

    • If the washer screw itself is worn or corroded, you might as well replace it too. Like the washers, the screw is only going to set you back a few dollars.

  5. 5

    Install the new washers and screws in the stems. Set the washer on the end of the stem, then slowly turn the screw to tighten it so it holds the washer in place. Hold the stem tightly to keep it from turning.[27]

  6. 6

    Put the stem back into the faucet housing and reassemble the handle. Make sure the stem is straight as you set it back into the housing, then screw it back in. Set the packing nut on top and screw it on tight.[28]

    • You might want to lubricate the stem with a little plumber's grease before you put it back into the housing. This isn't strictly necessary, so if you don't have any, don't worry.[29]
    • Give the handle a turn in either direction before you turn the water back on to make sure it can still move as it did before. Then turn the water back on to test your work.

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  • All faucets have user manuals with instructions on how to disassemble them and replace parts. Search the brand of your faucet on the internet to download the manual—it can really help you with anything that might be specific to your brand.[30]

  • The specific tools you'll need will vary depending on your faucet. If you can find that user manual online, it'll tell you exactly what tools you need. Otherwise, just keep your toolbox handy and grab what you need as you go along.[31]

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  • Always shut off the water to your sink before taking off the faucet handles or starting any kind of sink repair.[32]

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