How to Fix a Leaky Faucet: Causes, Steps & When to Call a Pro
A dripping faucet wastes water and money. Here's what causes most leaks, what you can safely try yourself, and when it's time to call a professional.
A leaky faucet isn't just annoying — a single drip per second can waste over 3,000 gallons of water a year. The good news is that most faucet leaks have a simple cause and a straightforward fix. Here's what's usually going wrong and what to do about it.
The most common cause: a worn-out washer or cartridge
The vast majority of faucet leaks come from a worn internal seal. In older compression faucets, it's the rubber washer. In newer cartridge, ball, or ceramic-disk faucets, it's the cartridge or O-rings. These parts wear down over time from friction and mineral deposits, letting water seep through even when the faucet is off.
Identifying which type of faucet you have is the first step — compression, cartridge, ball, or disk — because the repair differs for each.
Other common causes
Corroded valve seats: The connection point between the faucet and the spout can corrode, causing leaks around the spout base.
Loose or worn O-rings: The O-ring seals the faucet handle; if it breaks or loosens, you'll see leaking near the handle.
High water pressure: Excessively high water pressure can force water past seals and cause premature wear. A pressure test can confirm this.
Mineral buildup: Hard water in the Denver metro leaves deposits that degrade seals and restrict moving parts.
DIY steps you can try safely
1. Turn off the water supply valves under the sink.
2. Note your faucet type and brand — this determines the replacement part.
3. Disassemble the handle and internal components carefully, keeping parts in order.
4. Inspect the washer, cartridge, and O-rings for wear or damage.
5. Take the worn part to a hardware store for an exact match replacement.
6. Reassemble, turn the water back on, and test.
This works well for straightforward compression-faucet washer swaps. If you're not comfortable disassembling fixtures, or the faucet is a newer cartridge type, a professional repair is fast and affordable.
When to call a professional
Call a pro if: the faucet is a complex cartridge or disk type and you're unsure of the part; the leak persists after replacing the washer; you see corrosion or mineral buildup on the valve body; or the shut-off valves under the sink are stuck or leaking themselves. A professional has the right parts on hand and completes most faucet repairs in a single visit.
Don't let it drip
A leaky faucet only gets worse over time — and the wasted water shows up on your bill. Whether you tackle it yourself or want a fast professional fix, we handle faucet repairs across Lakewood and the west Denver metro with honest upfront pricing.
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