Find the leak first, then fix that part. A drip from the spout means a worn cartridge or washer. Water around the base of the handle means a loose or worn seal. Water at the base of the faucet means a worn O-ring on a swivel spout or a loose mounting. Water inside the cabinet means a supply line or a sprayer hose. Each takes minutes to confirm. Our hub on faucets, sinks, showers and disposals covers related jobs.
Where is my kitchen faucet leaking from?
Dry the faucet and sink, put a paper towel under the spout, and run the water, then turn it off. Check the spout tip, the handle base, the spout base and the cabinet below. Note whether the leak happens only when the water runs. A leak while running comes from seals around the handle or spout. A leak while off comes from the cartridge or valve seat.
Work this table from the top:
| Where the water appears | Likely cause | Repair |
|---|---|---|
| Drips from the spout when off | Worn cartridge, washer or seat | Replace cartridge or washers |
| Around the handle when on | Worn seal or loose bonnet nut | Tighten, replace O-rings |
| Around the spout base when on | Worn spout O-rings | Replace O-rings |
| Under the sink, from a hose | Cracked supply line or sprayer hose | Replace the line |
| Under the sink, from a nut | Loose connection | Tighten or replace the washer |
For under-sink leaks that are not from the faucet, see repairing a leaking pipe under the sink.
How do I fix a leaky single-handle kitchen faucet?
Replace the cartridge. Close both stop valves under the sink, open the faucet to relieve pressure and plug the drain so no small part is lost. Pry off the handle cap, remove the handle screw, lift off the handle, and unscrew the cap or dome if there is one. A retaining clip or nut holds the cartridge in. Remove it and pull the cartridge straight up.
Moen's support guidance describes the typical sequence for its single-handle kitchen faucets: handle cap off, screw out with a hex wrench, handle off, clip out, cartridge out. Some models have two cartridge types, and the cheaper option sometimes is to lubricate a 1225 type with silicone grease, while a 1255 or 4000 type is replaced. If the faucet is a Delta, the shape differs: many Delta single-handle faucets use a ball or ceramic disk cartridge and have their own repair kits.
Install the new cartridge with the notch aligned and the clip seated. Grease the O-rings lightly. If the hot and cold are reversed afterward, you have rotated the cartridge 180 degrees. Shut off the water and turn it back. Open the faucet slowly and let air escape before using it.
How do I fix a two-handle kitchen faucet that drips?
Find which handle is dripping, as the spout drips from the side that does not seal. Shut off the stops, remove the handle and the bonnet nut, and pull the stem. If the faucet is a compression type, replace the rubber washer and the O-ring. If a ceramic disk type, replace the whole cartridge. Match parts to the old ones before you buy.
If a new washer does not stop the drip, the valve seat has worn and the water slips past. A seat wrench can remove and replace a removable seat. If the seat is part of the body, smooth it with a reseating tool, or replace the faucet. The same repair applies to a two-handle bathroom sink faucet, where parts are often the same as on a kitchen model of the same brand.
What do I do about a leak at the base of the spout?
On a swivel-spout kitchen faucet, the spout turns on a pair of rubber O-rings. When they wear, water seeps out at the base while the water is on. Shut off the water, remove the spout by lifting or unscrewing it, depending on the brand, then roll off the old rings and fit new ones. Coat them in plumber's grease and push the spout back down.
Bring the old rings to a hardware store, as sizes differ. For pull-down and pull-out faucets, also look at the quick-connect fittings on the hose under the sink. A hose that is not fully seated, or has a cracked collar, leaks into the cabinet.
Is hard water why my kitchen faucet keeps leaking?
It speeds up wear. Scale in a cartridge can keep the seal from closing, and mineral buildup can score a seat. LADWP's FAQ says hard water leaves mineral deposits in plumbing and on fixtures, and its figures run from about 5 to 17 grains per gallon in its service area depending on location. Cleaning the cartridge with vinegar sometimes stops a drip without replacing it.
If your faucet leaks again within a year or two, check the aerator and the cartridge for scale. Our guide to removing hard water scale explains how. And if flow rather than leakage is the issue, see low water pressure at the kitchen sink.
How much water does a leaking kitchen faucet waste?
EPA WaterSense says a faucet dripping once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons a year, enough for more than 180 showers. A kitchen faucet that leaks only when running wastes less, but the damp under the sink can rot the cabinet floor. It is worth repairing early. Leaks add to your bill, as covered in our guide on why a water bill gets high.
When should I replace the faucet instead of repairing it?
Replace it when the body is corroded or cracked, when the finish is pitted, when parts are no longer available, or when repair costs approach the price of a new faucet. A replacement is a short job for a plumber, and the price is mainly the fixture and labor. See what faucet installation costs for a range.
If you want a hand with a faucet repair or replacement, ask for a written quote and we'll arrange a local plumber to come to you.
Common questions
Why is my kitchen faucet dripping from the spout?
A worn cartridge, washer or valve seat is letting water past when the faucet is off. In a single-handle faucet replace the cartridge. In a two-handle faucet replace the washer or stem. Scale from hard water often contributes, so clean the parts and check the seat when you have them out.
How do I fix a leaky Moen kitchen faucet?
Shut off the stops, pry off the cap, remove the handle screw with the hex wrench, lift the handle, pull the retaining clip and pull the cartridge. Fit a matching cartridge with a dab of silicone grease, seat the clip and reassemble. Moen's support pages show which cartridge fits your model, so identify it before you buy.
How do I fix a leaky Delta kitchen faucet?
Find the series on the faucet or the box, then get the matching Delta repair kit. Shut off the water, remove the handle and the cap, and pull the cartridge, ball or seats and springs according to the type. Fit the new parts, reassemble and test. Delta publishes parts diagrams by model on its support site.
Can I fix a leaky bathroom sink faucet the same way?
Yes. A bathroom sink faucet uses the same cartridges, washers and seats as a kitchen faucet, just smaller, and the repair steps are the same. Shut off the stops under the sink, remove the handle, replace the worn part and reassemble. Bathroom faucets seldom have swivel spouts, so base leaks are less common.
How long does it take to fix a leaky kitchen faucet?
Plan for 30 to 90 minutes for a cartridge or washer repair, longer if a part is stuck or you have to find the right one. A plumber working with the right parts on hand is usually quicker. A stuck or corroded fitting is what turns it into a longer job.