Most dripping or sluggish faucets come down to a worn washer, O-ring or cartridge, and a patient homeowner can swap one in under an hour. Shut off the water at the stop valves under the sink first, then match the repair to your faucet type using the table below. If water is spraying or pooling and you cannot stop it, call dispatch, which is open 24/7.
This guide covers the tools, the steps for each common type, and the cases where continuing makes the problem worse.
Before you start: shut off, plug and gather
Ten minutes of setup prevents most beginner mistakes.
- Close both stop valves under the sink by turning them clockwise. If they will not turn or keep dripping, shut off the main at the house instead.
- Open the faucet to drain the line and confirm the water is really off.
- Plug the drain with a rag so a small screw or washer cannot fall in.
- Lay out an adjustable wrench, a screwdriver set, Allen keys, pliers, plumber's grease and a flashlight.
- Take a photo at each step so you can reverse the order when you reassemble.
- Note the brand name on the handle or spout. It makes finding the right part far easier.
Which faucet do you have and what usually fails
Look at the handle. Two handles usually mean compression or cartridge, a single lever means cartridge, ball or ceramic disc.
| Faucet type | How to spot it | Usual failure | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Two handles that tighten to a firm stop | Worn rubber washer or seat | Replace washer, check seat |
| Cartridge | One or two handles, smooth motion | Worn cartridge or O-rings | Replace the cartridge |
| Ball | Single lever over a rounded cap | Worn seats and springs, loose cap | Replace seats and springs, or the kit |
| Ceramic disc | Single lever, wide cylindrical body | Cracked disc or worn seals | Replace the cylinder or seals |
Fix a dripping compression or cartridge faucet
These two types account for a large share of household drips.
- 1
Remove the handle
Pry off the decorative cap, remove the screw underneath and lift the handle. A stuck handle may need a gentle wiggle, not force.
- 2
Pull the stem or cartridge
Unscrew the packing nut with your wrench. A compression stem unscrews out, and a cartridge pulls straight up, sometimes after removing a retaining clip.
- 3
Replace the worn part
Swap the rubber washer and O-ring on a stem. On a cartridge, bring the old one to the store and buy an exact match.
- 4
Reassemble and test
Grease the new O-rings lightly, rebuild in reverse order, open the stop valves slowly and check for drips after a few minutes.
Faucet parts and lead in Holly Springs homes
The Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority (CCWSA) says local building standards have required lead-free plumbing materials since 1992. It adds that homes built before 1992 may still have some lead components, such as fixtures or solder. If your house is older, choose lead-free replacement faucets and parts, and ask a plumber about testing your tap water.
CCWSA also reports that no lead is used or detected in its own system. So any lead concern in a pre-1992 house sits in the fixtures and solder inside your home, which is exactly what a faucet swap changes.
Source type: utility lead and copper information page and water quality FAQ
Describe the faucet to dispatch. A licensed plumber explains the visit and gives a clear price before work starts.
Single-lever faucets: ball and ceramic disc
A ball faucet leaks around the base when the adjusting ring loosens or when the rubber seats wear out. Tighten the cap with a spanner first. If it still weeps, a repair kit replaces the seats, springs and O-rings together, which is better than guessing at one part.
A ceramic disc faucet has a sealed cylinder that rarely fails, but mineral grit or a hard knock can crack the discs. Replace the whole cylinder rather than the discs alone, and check that the small rubber seals sit flat in their recesses before tightening.
Weak flow, spitting water and a loose spout
Low flow at one faucet is usually a clogged aerator. Unscrew it from the spout tip, rinse out the grit and soak it in vinegar before putting it back. If flow is still weak, the cartridge may be clogged, or a partly closed stop valve may be the cause.
A spout that wobbles often needs a new O-ring at its base or a retightened mounting nut under the sink. If water drips from the base of the spout, replace the O-rings there before blaming the cartridge.
Repair the faucet or replace it
A cheap part does not always mean a cheap repair, so weigh the age of the fixture.
Repair when
- The faucet is in good shape and the drip is the only problem
- Parts for your brand are easy to find
- The finish is intact and the body has no corrosion
- You can shut off the water cleanly
Replace when
- Corrosion has eaten into the faucet body or threads
- Parts are discontinued or the repair kit costs close to a new fixture
- The same faucet has failed more than once
- You want a different style or a new sink installation
When to stop and call a plumber
Some jobs get worse when you press on. Stop and call if you see any of these.
Stop valves that will not close
A seized valve can snap off in your hand and flood the cabinet. Shut off the main and call before forcing it.
Stripped or corroded fittings
Rounded nuts and crumbling supply lines mean the next turn may leave you with a broken pipe.
Water under the sink that is not from the faucet
Dampness along the drain or a supply connection points to a different repair. Our leak detection page covers hidden cases.
Low pressure throughout the house
When every tap is weak, the faucet is not the problem.
Help for faucet and sink problems nearby
If the faucet is beyond repair, our faucet and sink repair service handles fixes and swaps, and plumbing installation covers new fixtures. We also take faucet calls in Canton and Ball Ground.
Faucet repair questions
Why is my faucet dripping after I replaced the washer?
The valve seat is probably worn or pitted, so a new washer cannot seal against it. Resurface the seat with a seat dresser, or replace the stem assembly.
How do I know which cartridge to buy?
Take the old cartridge to the store, or photograph it with the brand and model. Cartridges from different makers look alike but are not interchangeable.
Is it safe to keep using a dripping faucet?
Usually yes for a short time, since a drip wastes water but does not damage the house. A leak at the base or under the sink needs attention sooner because it can rot the cabinet.
Can I repair a faucet without turning off the water?
No. Even with the handle off, the pipe is under pressure. Close the stop valves under the sink or the main shutoff first.
If my Holly Springs house was built before 1992, should I worry about lead in the faucet?
CCWSA says homes built before 1992 may have some lead components such as fixtures or solder, while its own system has no lead used or detected. Buy lead-free replacement parts and ask about testing your tap water.