A dripping faucet wastes thousands of gallons per year. Learn how to fix it yourself in under an hour with basic tools.
Look under the sink for the shut-off valves and turn them clockwise until tight. Turn on the faucet to release any remaining pressure. Put the drain plug in so you do not lose any small parts.
Pry off the decorative cap on top of the handle to expose the screw underneath. Remove the screw and pull the handle straight up and off. If it is stuck wiggle it gently — never force it.
Use pliers to unscrew the packing nut and pull out the old cartridge or stem. Take it to the hardware store to find an exact match. Insert the new cartridge in the same orientation as the old one.
Reassemble in reverse order — cartridge, packing nut, handle, decorative cap. Turn the water supply back on slowly. Turn on the faucet and check for drips. A properly seated cartridge should stop the drip completely.
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