How to Fix a Leaky Faucet: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

That slow, steady drip from your kitchen or bathroom faucet is more than just annoying — a single dripping faucet can waste up to 20,000 litres of water per year. The good news? Most leaky faucets can be fixed in under an hour with basic tools and zero plumbing experience.

This guide walks you through the most common faucet fix: replacing a worn-out washer or cartridge. Whether you have a single-handle or double-handle faucet, the steps are the same in principle.

Before You Start: Figure Out Your Faucet Type

Most household faucets fall into one of two categories:

Ball faucets – single handle that rotates in a ball-shaped cap (common in kitchens)
Cartridge faucets – single or double handle that pulls straight up and down (very common in bathrooms)

The drip is almost always caused by a small rubber washer or O-ring that has worn out over time. Replacing it costs less than €5 and takes about 30–45 minutes.

What You'll Need

Tools

Adjustable wrench
Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers
Needle-nose pliers
Allen key / hex key set

Materials

Replacement washers and O-rings (grab an assorted kit at any hardware store — costs around €3–5)
Plumber's grease (optional but recommended)
A small bowl or bucket

Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply

This is the most important step — don't skip it!

Look under the sink for the shut-off valves (two small oval handles, one hot, one cold)
Turn them clockwise until they stop — this cuts the water to the faucet only, not your whole home
Turn on the faucet to release any water still in the line
Put the bowl under the sink to catch any remaining drips

No shut-off valves under the sink? You'll need to turn off the main water supply for your home instead (usually in a utility room or outside near the meter).

Step 2: Remove the Faucet Handle

Find the decorative cap on top of the handle (it often says H or C for hot/cold) — pop it off with a flat screwdriver
Unscrew the screw underneath the cap
Pull the handle straight up — it should come off easily. If it's stiff, wiggle it gently; don't force it

Set the handle aside somewhere safe.

Step 3: Replace the Washer or Cartridge

For cartridge faucets (most common):

Use needle-nose pliers to pull out the old cartridge — it slides straight out
Take the old cartridge to your hardware store to find an exact match (or note the brand printed on your faucet)
Push the new cartridge straight in, making sure the tabs line up

For ball faucets:

Unscrew the packing nut with your adjustable wrench
Lift out the ball mechanism
Replace the rubber seats and springs at the bottom of the faucet body — this is almost always where the leak comes from
Reassemble in reverse order

Pro tip: Before putting everything back together, coat new washers and O-rings lightly with plumber's grease. It helps them seat properly and last longer.

Step 4: Reassemble and Test

Put the handle back on and tighten the screw
Replace the decorative cap
Turn the shut-off valves back on slowly (counterclockwise)
Turn the faucet on and off a few times to check for drips

If there are no drips — great job, you're done! If it still drips, the washer size might be slightly off, or there may be a second issue (like a cracked faucet seat).

Pro Tips

Buy an assorted washer kit: They cost very little and having spare sizes on hand saves a second trip to the hardware store
Take photos as you disassemble: A quick phone photo of each step makes reassembly much easier
Check the aerator too: If water pressure is low after your fix, unscrew the aerator (the mesh screen at the tip of the spout) and rinse it out — mineral buildup is a common culprit
Label the pipes: If you have multiple shut-off valves under the sink, a small sticker labelling hot and cold saves confusion next time

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to turn off the water supply before disassembling anything
Using the wrong washer size — always match the old one exactly
Overtightening the packing nut when reassembling (hand-tight plus a quarter turn is usually enough)
Losing small parts down the drain — put the plug in or cover the drain with a cloth while you work

Time and Cost

Time Required: 30–60 minutes for a beginner

Cost Estimate:

Replacement washer/O-ring kit: €3–5
Replacement cartridge (if needed): €8–20 depending on brand
Plumber's grease: €4–6
Total: €5–25

Compare that to a plumber call-out fee — the DIY saving is real.

When to Call a Professional

Most leaky faucets are genuinely beginner-friendly, but call a plumber or book a handyworker if:

The faucet body itself is cracked or corroded
You turn off the valve and water keeps flowing strongly (faulty valve)
There's water damage or damp patches under the sink beyond just the drip
The faucet is more than 15–20 years old and worth replacing entirely

Fixed the drip yourself? Brilliant. If you'd rather leave it to an expert, find a plumbing professional on HandyHive — most leaky faucet jobs are quick to book and affordable to fix professionally too.