Most dripping faucets can be repaired. A drip usually comes from a worn part inside, and swapping that part often fixes it. Replacement makes sense when the faucet itself is worn out, corroded, or has been repaired more than once. A plumber can tell you which one you have in a few minutes.
Is a small drip worth fixing?
Yes. A drip doesn't fix itself. The worn part that causes it doesn't get any better with time. It's also the easiest plumbing problem in the house to put off, because it never feels urgent on any given day. That's exactly how a small drip gets ignored.
The EPA's WaterSense program says a faucet dripping once a second can waste more than 3,000 gallons a year. That's water you pay for and never use. A fixture that drips in a bathroom or kitchen can also leave stains in the sink, and a slow leak under the sink can damage the cabinet before you notice it.
What makes a faucet drip?
Inside every faucet, a seal closes off the water when you turn the handle off. Over time that part wears down, hardens, or gets coated with mineral deposits. Then it no longer closes tightly, and water slips past.
Where the water shows up tells you a lot:
- Out of the spout: usually a worn cartridge, washer, or seal inside the faucet.
- Around the base of the handle: often a worn O-ring or seal at the handle.
- Under the sink: possibly a loose or worn supply connection. That's a plumber's job, not a tightening project.
Does the type of faucet matter?
It does. Faucets seal in a few different ways. A compression faucet has separate hot and cold handles that press a rubber washer against a seat. A cartridge faucet uses a single insert that slides or turns to control the flow. Ball faucets use a rotating ball with rubber seals, and ceramic disc faucets use two discs that slide against each other.
Each type wears in its own way and takes different parts. That's why "just replace the washer" isn't always the right advice. If you know your brand and model, the plumber can bring the right part. If you don't, a photo of the faucet helps.
When should you repair, and when should you replace?
Judge by the faucet's condition, not by a set number of years. A faucet that's sound and has one worn part is a good repair job.
Repair usually fits when:
- The body and finish are in good shape.
- The drip started recently.
- The part is available for your model.
- The faucet hasn't needed repair before.
Replacement usually fits when:
- The body is corroded or pitted, or you can see cracks.
- The finish is worn or flaking.
- The parts are hard to find or no longer made.
- You've repaired the same faucet more than once.
Also ask yourself whether you even like the faucet. If the handle is loose, the spray is weak, or you've wanted a different style for a while, a drip is a good excuse to change it. If you're updating a kitchen or bath anyway, kitchen and bath plumbing covers how a new faucet fits into a larger project.
Ask the plumber what they see and why they recommend one option over the other. A good answer names the specific problem. "It's old" isn't a specific problem.
Does Phoenix water make faucets drip?
It can play a part. The City of Phoenix's 2025 Water Quality Report lists hardness of 172 to 302 parts per million. On the U.S. Geological Survey's scale, 121 to 180 ppm counts as hard and anything above 180 as very hard, so that range runs from hard to very hard. Other utilities in the Valley differ, so check the report from your own water provider.
Hard water leaves minerals behind wherever it dries. On a faucet, that means white or chalky buildup on the aerator and spout. Inside, the same minerals can collect on seals and cartridges and make them wear faster. It can also dull a finish.
If you see buildup, a plumber can check for it while looking at the drip. Before you clean a faucet yourself, read the manufacturer's care guide, since some cleaners can damage certain finishes. If hard water is a steady problem in your home, ask about water quality options.
What can you do yourself?
One step is safe: turn off the water to the faucet. Under the sink, find the two small shutoff valves, one for hot and one for cold. Turn each clockwise until it stops. Then open the faucet and check that the flow slows to nothing.
Don't force a valve that's stuck. Old valves can break or start to leak when you push them. If a valve won't turn, leave it and turn off the main water shutoff for the house instead, or call a plumber.
Everything past that is best left to a licensed plumber. Taking a faucet apart and putting it back wrong can turn a small drip into a bigger leak. Supply lines and anything inside the wall aren't a place to experiment.
When should you call a licensed plumber?
Call when the drip doesn't stop after you close the handle firmly, when water shows up under the sink or around the base, when the faucet is corroded, or when you've already repaired it once. Call right away if water is spraying or pooling and the shutoff valve won't close.
A plumber can find the source, tell you whether the faucet is worth repairing, and explain your options in plain words. You approve the price before any work starts, so you can weigh repair against replacement with real numbers in front of you.
If the drip is still there tomorrow morning, ask us about faucet repair. A drip is always easier to deal with while it's still small.
Common Questions
A worn cartridge, washer, or seal inside the faucet lets water slip past when the handle is off. Mineral buildup on those parts can do the same thing.
It can. The EPA's WaterSense program says a faucet dripping once a second can waste more than 3,000 gallons a year. Fixing a drip stops that waste.
Yes. Each design seals with different parts, so the repair differs too. A plumber can tell which type you have and which part is worn.
It can. Minerals in hard water can build up on seals, cartridges, and finishes and make them wear faster. A plumber can check for buildup when they look at the faucet.
Do not work on the supply lines or inside the wall. The safe step is to turn off the shutoff valve under the sink, then call a licensed plumber.
