Faucet Dripping Constantly — Replace the Cartridge or Seats and Springs

A dripping faucet wastes over 3,000 gallons of water per year and is almost always caused by a worn cartridge, O-ring, or seat and spring assembly. This guide covers the most common faucet types: single-handle ball faucets, single-handle cartridge faucets, and two-handle compression faucets.

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   Step 1: Identify your faucet type and shut off the water

   Single-handle faucets that rotate (Delta, Price Pfister) have a ball valve. Single-handle faucets that lift and turn (Moen, Kohler) use a cartridge. Two-handle faucets with separate hot and cold knobs are compression or ceramic disc type. Shut off the water supply valves under the sink before disassembly. Open the faucet to relieve pressure.

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   Step 2: Remove the handle and access the internal mechanism

   Most handles are held by a screw hidden under a decorative cap at the top of the handle — pry off the cap with a flathead screwdriver and remove the screw. Some single-handle faucets use an Allen/hex screw at the back of the handle. Wiggle and pull the handle off once the screw is removed. Under the handle you will find a cartridge, ball assembly, or packing nut depending on faucet type.

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   Step 3: Replace the cartridge (cartridge-type faucets)

   For Moen and similar cartridge faucets: grip the stem of the cartridge with pliers and pull straight up. Note the orientation before removing. The ears on the cartridge must align with the slots in the valve body when the new cartridge is installed. Push the new cartridge straight down until it seats fully. This single step resolves drips in most single-handle faucets.

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   Step 4: Replace seats and springs (ball-type faucets)

   Delta and Price Pfister ball faucets contain small rubber seats and springs beneath the ball. Use needle-nose pliers to remove the seat-and-spring assemblies from the two ports in the valve body. Replace with the new seats and springs from a repair kit, inserting them spring-end-down. A Delta faucet repair kit (RP3614 or similar) includes all consumable parts.

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   Step 5: Replace the packing/stem (two-handle compression faucets)

   For older two-handle faucets, unscrew the packing nut with an adjustable wrench and pull out the stem. Replace the rubber washer held by a brass screw at the bottom of the stem. While the stem is out, replace the packing (the string-like material or O-ring around the upper stem). Reassemble and test.