Why is my faucet dripping or leaking?

Wondering what's going on in there?

How a faucet shuts off, in plain English

A faucet is a gate for water. When you turn the handle off, a small part inside presses shut and holds the water back. When that part wears out, water sneaks past, and the spout drips. Leaks around the handle, at the base, or under the sink come from other spots along the way.

Each number matches a step below.

The valves under the sink. Water comes up through two small valves, one for hot and one for cold. Turn them to the right to shut off the faucet. Old ones can drip at the handle, or won't close all the way.
The hoses (supply lines). Two short hoses carry the water up to the faucet. A loose nut or a worn hose drips into the cabinet.
The cartridge or washer. This is the gate. Many faucets have a cartridge under the handle. Older two-handle faucets press a rubber washer down on a metal seat. Some one-lever faucets use a ball with two little rubber seats. When the rubber wears, the spout drips.
The handle and the nut behind it. A cap or a nut holds the parts inside in place, with rubber rings around them. Loose or worn, they leak around the handle.
The spout rings. A spout that swings turns on rubber rings (O-rings). When they wear flat, water seeps out at the base.
The screen at the tip (aerator). It catches grit. On some one-piece bathroom faucets, a clogged screen can push water out at the base.

A tub or shower faucet works the same way. The cartridge or stem just sits inside the wall, behind the handle and the round plate.

Weak flow from the same faucet? Our guide to low water pressure starts with that screen. A drip under the sink only when water goes down the drain? Our kitchen sink guide shows how to take off the U-shaped pipe. A toilet's hose and valve leak the same way. See toilet leaking at the base. Dripping outside, at the hose spigot? See outdoor faucet leaking.

Who to call

Rather not do it yourself? Call a plumber.

That's a fine choice. Maybe you're busy. Maybe you're selling the house and just want it done right. A plumber fixes drips, handle leaks, and water under the sink.

$125–$350Fix a sink faucet

$160–$365New faucet, put in

Most plumbers charge $45–$200 an hour, and some add a fee to come out. A leak inside a wall costs more.

Find plumbers near you

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What to say

Calling a pro? Here's what to say.

A few lines to read when they pick up, and the questions to ask before anyone comes out.

Before you call

Rent? Call your landlord first.

Home warranty? Call them first.

4.5 stars or more, and a license number.

Say this

Hi. My faucet is dripping, and I'd like it fixed. When's the soonest you can get here? And what's your fee for the visit? Does it go toward the repair?

Always ask

What's your fee to come out, and does it go toward the repair?
Do you charge by the job or by the hour?
Will you tell me the full price before you start any work?

Watch out if

They push a full replacement on the first visit for a small problem.
They won't give you a price before starting.
They add an emergency fee without telling you first.

Feeling pushed to decide on the spot? You can say no and hang up. You owe nothing for a phone call.

Know what's wrong before they come

Answer up to 5 quick questions. We'll give you the words a pro uses.

Answer the questions →

More of a list person?

Common faucet drips and leaks, causes, tests and costs

Find the row that sounds like your faucet. The quick test is something you can check yourself in a few minutes.

What you notice	What it probably is	Quick test	Do it yourself	With a pro	Verdict
Stains, a soft wall, or water in the room below	Water is leaking inside the wall	Look at the wall, and the ceiling under the tub	Pro job	$150–$1,000	CALLSee the answer: Water is leaking inside the wall
Drips for a minute after it's off, then stops	Just leftover water draining out	Turn it off and watch the clock	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: Just leftover water draining out
A hose or its nut under the sink is wet	A water hose under the sink is loose or worn	Run a dry finger along each hose	Free	$50–$200	FIXSee the answer: A water hose under the sink is loose or worn
A valve drips, or the faucet drips with both valves off	A water valve under the sink is leaking or won't close	Turn both valves off and watch the spout	Pro job	$60–$150	CALLSee the answer: A water valve under the sink is leaking or won't close
Drips under the sink only when water goes down the drain	The drain pipe under the sink is loose	Run water and feel the drain pipe	Free	$45–$200	FIXSee the answer: The drain pipe under the sink is loose
Leaks at the sprayer, along its hose, or under the sink	The sprayer hose is loose or worn	Feel along the sprayer hose with the water on	Free	$100–$400	FIXSee the answer: The sprayer hose is loose or worn
Leaks at the base of a one-piece faucet, and the screen has grit	The screen at the faucet tip was clogged	Clean the screen and watch the base	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The screen at the faucet tip was clogged
Water around the handle when the faucet is on	Loose cap or worn rubber rings at the handle	Paper towel around the bottom of the handle	Free	$100–$400	FIXSee the answer: Loose cap or worn rubber rings at the handle
Water at the base of the spout when it's on	Worn rubber rings at the spout	Paper towel test: the handle stays dry	Free	$100–$400	FIXSee the answer: Worn rubber rings at the spout
Spout drips, with one lever on a round dome cap	Worn rubber seats and springs	Look for a dome cap under the lever	Free	$100–$400	FIXSee the answer: Worn rubber seats and springs
Spout drips, with two handles that turn a few full turns	Worn rubber washer	Turn a handle and count the turns	Free	$100–$400	FIXSee the answer: Worn rubber washer
Spout drips or handle leaks, with a lever that lifts or a short-turn handle	Worn cartridge	Turn off one valve under the sink at a time	Free	$100–$400	FIXSee the answer: Worn cartridge
Still drips after new parts went in	The faucet is worn out inside	None. The worn spot is inside the faucet	Pro job	$160–$365	CALLSee the answer: The faucet is worn out inside
Tub spout runs while the shower is on	The part that sends water to the shower is worn	Turn on the shower and watch the tub spout	Free	$150–$450	FIXSee the answer: The part that sends water to the shower is worn
Tub or shower drips when it's off, and has its own shutoff	Worn part inside the tub or shower faucet	Look for a shutoff just for the shower	Free	$150–$450	FIXSee the answer: Worn part inside the tub or shower faucet
Tub drips, and only the main valve shuts it off	Worn tub faucet part, with no shutoff of its own	Look for a panel or shutoffs for the shower	Pro job	$100–$650	CALLSee the answer: Worn tub faucet part, with no shutoff of its own

2026 U.S. averages, rounded. Pro prices include parts and labor. Most plumbers charge $45–$200 an hour, and some add a fee to come out. Nights, weekends and big cities cost more. See all repair prices

Want proof where it's coming from?

The valve test and the paper towel test

Two free tests tell you which part to fix. Lowe's and Moen use the same ones.

Drip from the spout? Try the valves. Turn off the hot valve under the sink. Watch the spout for a minute. Still dripping? Turn off the cold one too. The valve that stops the drip shows the worn side (Lowe's).
Leak on top? Try a paper towel. Dry the faucet. Wrap a paper towel around the bottom of the handle. Run the water for a minute (Moen).

Drip stops with one valve off: a worn washer, cartridge or seats on that side.
Still drips with both valves off: a valve under the sink won't close. Call a plumber.
Wet towel at the handle: a loose nut or worn rings under the handle. A handle leak can run down and look like a base leak (Moen).
Dry towel, water at the base: worn rings at the spout, or a clogged screen on some bathroom faucets.

Not sure it's safe to wait?

Turn off the water right away if…

Water is spraying from a hose, a valve or the faucet. Turn the valves under the sink to the right, or turn off the main water valve.
You see a wet wall, ceiling or floor near a tub or shower, or water in the room below. Turn off the main water and call a plumber (Peerless).
A valve under the sink breaks, or won't stop the water when you turn it. Turn off the main water valve.
Water fills the cabinet faster than you can wipe it up.

No valves under the sink, or they won't turn? The main water valve shuts off the whole house. Find it before you start any repair (Home Depot, Lowe's).

Got a big plumber's quote?

Fix the faucet, or replace it?

Most dripping faucets need a small part, not a new faucet. A plumber's repair runs about $100–$400 (Angi, ConsumerAffairs). A new faucet, put in by a plumber, runs about $160–$365 (HomeAdvisor). Ask yourself three things:

Is it under warranty? Moen and Delta send faulty parts free for as long as the buyer owns the home. Call them before you pay for parts.
Did new parts already fail? Then the faucet body may be worn. Roto-Rooter suggests a new faucet when quick fixes don't work.
Is it a tub with no shutoff of its own? Fixr lists $150–$350 to fix the faucet, and $200–$650 for a new valve in the wall. Wall or tile work costs extra.

Example: $200 to swap a cartridge in a kitchen faucet is in the normal range. Being told you need a whole new faucet for a first drip is worth a second opinion.

Ran into a word you don't know?

Faucet words, explained

Tap through these before you start. The drawings show roughly what each part looks like.

Spout: The curved pipe the water comes out of. On many kitchen faucets it swings side to side.
Aerator: The small screen at the tip of the faucet. It unscrews, and it can clog with grit.
Cartridge: The part under the handle that opens and closes the water. Ceramic ones crack if the water rushes back on. Brands don't swap.
Rubber washer (seat washer): A small rubber disc on the bottom of the stem in an older two-handle faucet. It presses down to stop the water.
Stem: The part a two-handle faucet's handle turns. It screws up and down to open and close the water.
Valve seat: The metal ring the washer presses against. If it's rough, even a new washer drips.
Compression faucet: An older faucet with two handles that turn a few full turns. It uses rubber washers.
Ball faucet: A one-lever faucet with a round dome cap. A ball inside sits on two little rubber seats with springs.
Dome cap: The round metal cap right under the lever on a ball faucet. A ring under it holds the ball in.
Seats and springs: Two tiny rubber cups with springs under them. They press against the ball to hold the water back.
Nut behind the handle (packing nut): The nut right under a handle. It holds the stem in and squeezes a seal around it. Snug it a little when the handle leaks.
O-rings: Thin rubber rings that keep water in where parts turn or slide, like the spout and the handle.
Handle screw: The screw that holds the handle on. It hides under a little cap, or it's a small hex screw on the side.
Shutoff valves: The water valves under the sink, one for hot and one for cold. Turn them to the right to shut off the faucet.
Supply line: The short hose from a valve under the sink up to the faucet. There's one for hot and one for cold.
Main water valve (main shutoff): The valve where the water line comes into your home. It turns off all the water.
Trap (P-trap): The U-shaped drain pipe under the sink. Its big plastic nuts (slip nuts) unscrew by hand.
Sprayer hose: The long hose on a pull-out or pull-down sprayer. It snaps onto a water line under the sink.
Diverter: The part that sends water up to the shower instead of out the tub spout. Often it's a knob you pull up on the spout.
Tub valve: The valve behind a tub or shower handle, inside the wall. Its cartridge or stem works like a sink faucet's.
Cartridge puller: A tool that grips a stuck cartridge and pulls it straight out without twisting the pipe.
Paper towel test: A paper towel wrapped around the bottom of the handle. If it gets wet, the leak is at the handle, not the base.

Still have questions?

Questions people ask most

Is a dripping faucet an emergency?

A dripping faucet isn't an emergency, but it's worth fixing soon. One drip a second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year (EPA WaterSense). Act now if water is spraying, or you see a wet wall, ceiling or floor. Turn off the valves under the sink or the main water valve. Then call a plumber.

Why is my faucet dripping?

A faucet that drips from the spout when it's off has a worn part inside, often a rubber washer or a cartridge. That's the piece that stops the water when you turn the handle off. Moen points to the cartridge. Delta points to two little rubber seats and springs. Both wear out over time.

Why is my faucet leaking at the base?

Water at the base of a faucet often comes from worn rubber rings where the spout turns (O-rings). On some bathroom faucets, a clogged screen at the tip pushes water out at the base, so clean that first (Moen). And check the handle. A handle leak can run down and look like a base leak.

Why is my faucet handle leaking?

A leak around the handle often means a loose cap or nut under the handle, a worn rubber ring, or a worn cartridge. On a lever with a round dome cap, tighten the ring under the cap first (Delta). On a lever that lifts up, Moen points to the cartridge. On two handles, snug the nut under the handle (Peerless).

Why does my tub faucet drip when the shower is on?

Water from the tub spout while the shower runs means the part that sends water up to the shower is worn (the diverter). If you pull up a knob on the spout to start the shower, a new spout fixes it (Home Depot). If a middle handle picks the shower, that part sits in the wall (Moen).

Should you drip faucets during a freeze?

Yes, letting a faucet drip on very cold nights can help keep pipes from freezing. The Red Cross says to let the cold water drip from faucets fed by pipes in cold spots, like outside walls. Even a trickle helps. Keep the heat at 55°F or higher, too. A faucet that won't run at all in the cold? See our frozen pipes guide.

How much water does a dripping faucet waste?

A faucet that drips once a second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year, the EPA says. You pay for that water on your bill. The EPA says worn washers and gaskets are a common cause, and they're cheap to replace.

Do Moen and Delta faucets have a lifetime warranty?

Yes, Moen and Delta both replace faulty faucet parts free for as long as the person who bought the faucet owns the home. Moen says its faucets will be "leak- and drip-free during normal use." Neither one pays for a plumber's time. Have the model number ready, and the receipt if you can find it. Delta skips the receipt if you registered the faucet. Call Moen at 1-800-289-6636 or Delta at 1-800-345-3358.

How much does it cost to fix a leaky faucet?

A plumber charges about $100–$400 to fix a dripping sink faucet (Angi, ConsumerAffairs). A tub or shower faucet costs more, about $150–$450 (Fixr $150–$350, HomeAdvisor $300–$450). Fixing it yourself costs only the part, and Moen and Delta send many parts free.

Can you fix a leaky faucet without turning off the water?

No, turn off the water before you take any faucet apart. Turn the valves under the sink to the right until they stop. No valves, or they won't turn? Turn off the main water valve. Then open the faucet to let the last water out (Home Depot, Lowe's).

Why is my faucet still dripping after I replaced the cartridge?

A faucet that still drips after a new cartridge may have the wrong part, a crooked part, or a worn spot inside. Make sure the part matches your brand and model (Moen). Delta says grit can cause drips, so flush the faucet first. Still dripping? A plumber can check the faucet body. New faucet? Call the maker first, since it's under warranty.

Who do I call for a leaky faucet?

Call a plumber for a leak you can't fix, water inside a wall, or a tub faucet you can't shut off on its own. First try the free checks: the valves under the sink, the screen at the faucet tip, and any loose nuts. Have a Moen or Delta? Call them for free parts. Renters should call the landlord first.

How we built this

The questions follow the order a plumber checks a dripping faucet. First, where the water comes from. Then which valve under the sink stops the drip, and what kind of faucet it is. Then the paper towel test for handle and base leaks. For a tub, whether it has its own shutoff. Each answer makes some causes more likely and others less likely.

Prices are 2026 national averages from published repair-cost guides, rounded. Your local prices will differ.

How we make money: some links go to parts stores that pay us a small commission, and some pro listings pay us when you call them. Verdicts come from the diagnosis, not from who pays more.