How do I know what type of kitchen faucet I have?

There are four main kitchen faucet types: cartridge (most common, single or double handle), ball (single handle that moves in a ball joint — common in older Delta faucets), ceramic disc (single lever over a wide cylinder), and compression (older two-handle style with separate hot and cold stems). Ball faucets have a loose, multi-directional handle; compression faucets require you to twist the handle to stop water. Cartridge faucets have a smooth up-down or rotational action.

Where is the shutoff valve for a kitchen faucet?

Look under the kitchen sink. There should be two shutoff valves on the supply lines — one for hot (left) and one for cold (right). Turn both clockwise until they stop. If the valves are old and will not close fully, shut off the main water supply instead. After closing the shutoffs, open the faucet to release residual pressure before starting work.

How much water does a dripping kitchen faucet waste?

A faucet dripping once per second wastes about 3,000 gallons of water per year — enough to fill 50 bathtubs. At average U.S. water rates, that adds roughly $20–$35 to your annual water bill. A faster drip doubles or triples those numbers. Fixing a dripping faucet pays for the parts and your time within weeks.

Can I repair a kitchen faucet myself or should I buy a new one?

Most kitchen faucet repairs are DIY-friendly — the parts cost $10–$40 and the repair takes 30–60 minutes. Repair makes sense for quality faucets that are otherwise in good condition. Replacement makes more sense when the faucet is cheap, more than 20 years old, heavily corroded, or when the body itself is cracked. A mid-grade faucet replacement costs $80–$200 installed DIY.

After I replaced the cartridge, the faucet still drips. What did I miss?

Check that the new cartridge is the correct replacement for your faucet brand and model. A generic cartridge that does not match exactly will leak. Also inspect the valve seat (the metal surface the cartridge seals against) — if it is pitted or scored, the seat itself needs repair or the valve body needs to be replaced. On cartridge faucets, also check that the O-rings on the cartridge are intact and were not damaged during installation.

My kitchen faucet leaks around the base, not from the spout. How do I fix that?

A leak around the base of the faucet (pooling water on the sink deck) means the O-rings on the faucet body have failed — not the cartridge. Shut off the water, remove the faucet by unscrewing the mounting nut underneath, and replace the O-rings on the faucet body. These are often included in a faucet repair kit for your brand. Apply plumber's grease before reinstalling.

How to Fix a Leaky Kitchen Faucet: Step-by-Step Guide

A dripping kitchen faucet is almost always caused by a worn cartridge, O-ring, or washer.

A dripping kitchen faucet is almost always caused by a worn cartridge, O-ring, or washer. The specific fix depends on your faucet type, but the process is straightforward once you identify what you have.

What You Need

Adjustable wrench or basin wrench
Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
Allen wrench set (hex keys)
Faucet cartridge replacement (brand-specific — Moen, Delta, Kohler, or Price Pfister)
Faucet repair kit (includes O-rings, springs, and seats for ball faucets)
Plumber’s grease
Needle-nose pliers
Bucket and towels

Step 1: Shut Off the Water

Close both shutoff valves under the sink. Open the faucet to release pressure and drain the supply lines. Keep a small bucket under the supply connections to catch residual water.

Step 2: Remove the Handle

Most kitchen faucet handles are held by a set screw located under a decorative cap. Pry off the cap with a flathead screwdriver, reveal the screw, and remove it with a Phillips screwdriver or Allen wrench. Pull the handle straight up and off the faucet body.

Some single-lever faucets have the handle screw visible at the side or back of the handle — no cap to remove.

Step 3: Identify and Remove the Cartridge or Stem

Cartridge faucet: Under the handle you will see the cartridge — a cylindrical component. Some cartridges are held by a retaining clip (a small U-shaped metal clip). Remove the clip with needle-nose pliers. Pull the cartridge straight up. Note the orientation before removing (photograph it).

Ball faucet: Under the handle cap is a ball mechanism. Unscrew the cap and collar, remove the ball, and look at the seats and springs underneath — these are small rubber seats pressed against metal springs in the valve body. Replace all seats and springs as a set using a ball faucet repair kit.

Compression faucet: Unscrew the packing nut with an adjustable wrench. Pull out the stem. At the bottom is a rubber washer held by a brass screw. Replace the washer.

Step 4: Match and Install the Replacement Part

Take the old cartridge or parts to the hardware store for matching, or search online using the faucet brand and model number (usually stamped on the faucet body or in the owner’s manual).

For cartridge faucets: coat the O-rings on the new cartridge with plumber’s grease. Insert in the same orientation as the old one. Replace the retaining clip.

For ball faucets: install new springs and seats with needle-nose pliers. Coat the new ball with plumber’s grease and reinstall.

For compression faucets: install the new washer and tighten the brass screw. Apply plumber’s grease to the stem O-ring and reassemble.

Step 5: Reassemble and Test

Reinstall the handle in reverse order. Turn the shutoff valves back on slowly. Turn the faucet on and check for drips at the spout and leaks around the handle base.

If the faucet still drips after the cartridge is replaced, check the valve seat condition — a pitted or scored seat will cause leaking even with a new cartridge.

How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet — full faucet replacement when repair is not enough
How to Fix a Slow Draining Sink — drain repair while you have the cabinet open
How to Fix a Garbage Disposal — disposal troubleshooting and reset

⏰ PT2H 💰 $10–$50 🔧 SharkBite push-to-connect fittings, PEX or copper pipe, Pipe cutter, Teflon tape, Channel-lock pliers

Shut Off the Water
Close both shutoff valves under the sink. Open the faucet to release pressure and drain the supply lines. Keep a small bucket under the supply connections to catch residual water.
Remove the Handle
Most kitchen faucet handles are held by a set screw located under a decorative cap. Pry off the cap with a flathead screwdriver, reveal the screw, and remove it with a Phillips screwdriver or Allen wrench.
Identify and Remove the Cartridge or Stem
Cartridge faucet: Under the handle you will see the cartridge — a cylindrical component. Some cartridges are held by a retaining clip (a small U-shaped metal clip). Remove the clip with needle-nose pliers. Pull the cartridge straight up.
Match and Install the Replacement Part
Take the old cartridge or parts to the hardware store for matching, or search online using the faucet brand and model number (usually stamped on the faucet body or in the owner's manual).
Reassemble and Test
Reinstall the handle in reverse order. Turn the shutoff valves back on slowly. Turn the faucet on and check for drips at the spout and leaks around the handle base.

How to Fix a Leaky Kitchen Faucet: Step-by-Step Guide

What You Need

Step 1: Shut Off the Water

Step 2: Remove the Handle

Step 3: Identify and Remove the Cartridge or Stem

Step 4: Match and Install the Replacement Part

Step 5: Reassemble and Test

Free: 10-Point Home Maintenance Checklist

Save this for next time.

How to Fix a Leaky Kitchen Faucet: Step-by-Step Guide

What You Need

Step 1: Shut Off the Water

Step 2: Remove the Handle

Step 3: Identify and Remove the Cartridge or Stem

Step 4: Match and Install the Replacement Part

Step 5: Reassemble and Test

Related Guides

Free: 10-Point Home Maintenance Checklist

Save this for next time.