How to Fix a Leaky Faucet: Cartridge, Ball, and Compression Types
A faucet that drips once per second wastes 3,000 gallons of water per year. That's not just annoying—it's money literally going down the drain. The good news? Most leaky faucets are fixable without calling a plumber, and the repair usually takes less time than watching a Netflix episode.
The trick is knowing what type of faucet you're dealing with. Once you identify whether you have a cartridge, ball-style, or compression faucet, the fix becomes straightforward. Let me walk you through each one.
Why This Matters (And Why You Should Care)
Here in Phoenix's East Valley, we're in a desert. Water isn't cheap, and wasting it on a dripping faucet feels wrong—because it is. Beyond the water bill, a leak that sits for months can cause damage inside your cabinet, stain your sink, and create conditions for mold. I've seen it happen in homes across Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler.
The other reason? Most faucet repairs are legitimately DIY-friendly. I'm not saying you need to be a plumber. You need a wrench, maybe a screwdriver, and 45 minutes of your time. That's it.
Before You Start: Shut Off the Water Supply
This is non-negotiable. Look under your sink. You should see two shut-off valves—one for hot water, one for cold. Turn them clockwise. They should be easy. If they're stiff or you can't find them, shut off the main water supply to your house instead.
After you've closed the valves, turn on the faucet. Let the water run until nothing comes out. This releases the pressure in the line. Skip this step and water will spray everywhere when you pull the handle apart. Trust me on this.
Cartridge Faucets (Most Common)
If you have a single-handle kitchen or bathroom faucet, there's an 80% chance it's a cartridge faucet. These are the most straightforward to repair.
Here's the process:
- Look for a small screw under a decorative cap on the handle (usually plastic or metal). Pry the cap off gently with a flathead screwdriver.
- Remove the screw and pull the handle straight up and off.
- You'll see a cartridge retainer ring. Unscrew it counterclockwise using a wrench or cartridge removal tool.
- Pull the cartridge straight up—don't wiggle it or force it.
- Take the cartridge to your local hardware store or bring a photo. Match it exactly. Cartridges vary by manufacturer. Moen, Delta, Kohler—they're all different.
- Install the new cartridge by reversing the steps. Hand-tighten the retainer ring, then give it a quarter turn with the wrench.
Total time: 30–45 minutes. Cost of cartridge: $20–$40. You'll save $65 in labor if you do this yourself.
Ball-Style Faucets (Single-Handle, Rotating Ball Inside)
These are less common than cartridge faucets, but they're out there. A ball-style faucet has a rounded, dome-shaped cap. Inside is a rotating metal ball that mixes hot and cold water. The problem? Ball faucets wear out faster and tend to leak more frequently.
Don't try to replace just one worn part. Get a ball faucet repair kit—they cost $15–$20 and include everything you need: a new ball, springs, seats, and O-rings.
- Remove the handle screw and pull the handle off.
- Unscrew the dome cap counterclockwise. It might be tight—use a wrench with a cloth wrapped around it to avoid scratching the finish.
- Remove the cam and cam washer underneath.
- Lift out the ball, then use needle-nose pliers to extract the springs and seats. These are tiny and easy to lose. Put them in a small container.
- Install the new parts from the kit in reverse order. Pay attention to which spring goes where—the kit instructions will show you.
- Screw the cap back on, reinstall the handle, and test it.
Total time: 45–60 minutes. Cost of kit: $15–$20. This is the type of faucet that makes people call a plumber unnecessarily. Don't be that person.
Compression Faucets (Older Two-Handle Models)
If your sink has two handles—one for hot, one for cold—and it's more than 20 years old, you likely have a compression faucet. These are the oldest design and the simplest to understand.
Each handle has a rubber washer at the bottom of the stem. When you turn the handle, the stem moves down and the washer presses against a seat to stop the flow. Over time, that rubber washer hardens and cracks. Water seeps past it. That's your drip.
Here's the fix:
- Turn off the water supply (same as above).
- Remove the handle by unscrewing the decorative cap and lifting it off.
- Unscrew the packing nut underneath with a wrench. Turn it counterclockwise.
- Pull the stem straight up and out.
- At the very bottom of the stem, you'll see a screw holding the washer in place. Remove that screw.
- Replace the washer with a new one (cost: $1). Use the exact same size.
- Reassemble in reverse order. Don't over-tighten anything.
Total time: 20–30 minutes. Cost: $1 for the washer. This is the cheapest repair you can do.
When to Call a Handyman Instead
I'm not trying to talk myself out of work here, but sometimes it makes sense to call a pro. Call us if:
- The shut-off valves under your sink won't turn or feel corroded. Forcing a seized valve can break it, and then you're looking at a bigger problem.
- The cartridge is stuck and won't pull out. This happens in homes with hard water or older faucets.
- You're not confident disassembling the faucet. That's okay—not everyone enjoys plumbing.
- The faucet body itself is cracked or the finish is damaged. At that point, replacement is the answer.
Faucet repair and replacement at The Toolbox Pro starts at $65. We'll diagnose the issue, do the work right, and have you back to normal water pressure. Most jobs are done the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop a dripping faucet?
Identify the faucet type (cartridge, ball, or compression), shut off the water supply, disassemble the handle, and replace the worn cartridge or washer. Most repairs take 30–60 minutes for a cartridge or ball faucet, 20–30 minutes for compression.
What causes a faucet to drip?
Worn internal components—cartridges, washers, O-rings, and ball valves—degrade over time. Hard water accelerates wear. Most faucets need service every 10–15 years. Here in the East Valley, our water is particularly hard, so expect faucets to wear faster than the national average.
How much does faucet repair cost?
Faucet repair at The Toolbox Pro starts at $65. If the faucet itself is damaged beyond simple repair, full replacement with a new model is often the same price or close to it.
The Bottom Line
A leaky faucet is fixable. Most of the time, it's not a major repair. Whether you DIY it or call us, the important thing is to stop wasting water and money. If you're in Phoenix's East Valley and want to skip the repair altogether, book online with The Toolbox Pro or use our contact form. We'll get it fixed fast.
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