Bathroom faucet repair guide: fixing a dripping bathroom sink faucet

May 4, 2023 Corey McNeill

Bathroom Faucet Repair: How to Fix a Dripping, Leaking or Loose Faucet

Updated October 2026

Most bathroom faucet repairs are a 30 to 60 minute job with basic tools. A drip usually means a worn cartridge, washer or O-ring. Low water pressure is almost always a clogged aerator. A wobbly handle needs one screw tightened. Below is how to fix each one, in the order you are most likely to need it.

Before you start: shut off the water

Find the two shutoff valves under the sink (one hot, one cold) and turn them clockwise until they stop.
Open the faucet to let out the water left in the line.
Put the sink stopper in, or lay a towel in the basin, so small screws cannot fall down the drain.
Take a photo of each step as you take the faucet apart. It makes putting it back together much easier.

If there are no valves under the sink, or they will not turn, shut off the main water supply to the house.

Tools and parts you will need

Adjustable wrench (wrap the jaws in a cloth to protect the finish)
Flat and Phillips screwdrivers
Hex (Allen) key set
Plumber's grease (silicone, safe for O-rings)
White vinegar and an old toothbrush
The replacement part: cartridge, washer or O-rings that match your faucet

Take the old part with you to the hardware store, or check the brand and model under the sink, so the new one matches exactly.

How to fix a dripping bathroom faucet

A faucet that keeps dripping after you turn it off has a worn seal inside. What wears out depends on the type of faucet:

Two handles that you turn until they stop: a compression faucet. The rubber washer at the bottom of the stem is usually the problem.
Single lever or quarter-turn handles: a cartridge or ceramic disc faucet. The cartridge or its seals are usually the problem.

Shut off the water as above.
Pry off the decorative cap on the handle and remove the screw underneath.
Pull the handle off. If it is stuck, wiggle it gently; do not hammer it.
Unscrew the retaining nut, or pull out the retaining clip, that holds the stem or cartridge.
Lift out the stem or cartridge. Note which way it faced.
Replace the washer, the O-rings or the whole cartridge. Coat new O-rings with a thin layer of plumber's grease.
Reassemble in reverse order, turn the water back on slowly and check for drips.

How to fix low water pressure in a bathroom faucet

If water comes out weak or sprays sideways, the aerator (the small screen at the tip of the spout) is probably full of mineral deposits.

Unscrew the aerator by hand, or with a wrench wrapped in a cloth.
Soak it in white vinegar for 30 to 60 minutes.
Scrub the screen with an old toothbrush and rinse it.
Screw it back on hand-tight.

Keep vinegar off the faucet body itself, especially on matte black and brushed gold finishes. If the pressure is low on only the hot or only the cold side, check that the shutoff valve on that side is fully open, then look at the cartridge.

How to fix a loose or wobbly faucet handle

The handle is held on by a single screw. On many single-lever faucets it is a small set screw on the side or back of the handle, tightened with a hex key. On others it sits under the decorative cap on top. Tighten it firmly but do not force it; overtightening can crack the handle or wear the cartridge.

How to fix a faucet leaking at the base

Water pooling around the base of the spout usually means the O-rings on the spout or cartridge have worn out. Shut off the water, take the faucet apart as for a drip, replace the O-rings and coat them with plumber's grease. If the water is under the sink instead, tighten the supply line connections a quarter turn and check the hoses. Replace any supply hose that is bulging, rusty or kinked.

How to fix a squeaky faucet handle

A handle that squeals when you turn it needs lubrication. Take the handle off, apply plumber's grease to the stem threads and reassemble.

Routine maintenance that prevents most repairs

Wipe the faucet dry after use to prevent water spots and mineral build-up.
Clean with mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh cleaners, which wear through finishes.
Clean the aerator twice a year, more often if you have hard water.
Turn handles off gently. Cranking them closed wears the washer and cartridge faster.

When to replace the faucet instead of repairing it

A repair stops making sense when:

the faucet still leaks after a new cartridge or washer,
the body is cracked or corroded,
you cannot find replacement parts for the model, or
the finish has worn through.

If you are replacing it anyway, it is a chance to change the look of the whole sink area. Browse our bathroom faucets and modern bathroom faucets in black, brushed gold and chrome.

Popular picks: Malena, Maala, Mai in gold and Klara, a wall-mounted faucet. Finish the room with matching bathroom accessories.

When to call a plumber

Call a plumber if the shutoff valves will not close, if a pipe or fitting is corroded, if water is leaking inside the wall or cabinet, or if the faucet still leaks after you have replaced the parts.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my bathroom faucet drip after I turn it off?

A washer, O-ring or cartridge inside the faucet has worn out and no longer seals. Replacing that part stops the drip.

Do I need to turn off the main water to fix a faucet?

Usually not. The shutoff valves under the sink cut the water to that faucet only. Use the main supply only if those valves are missing or stuck.

How do I know which cartridge to buy?

Take the old cartridge to the store to match it, or look up the faucet brand and model number. Cartridges are not universal.

How often should I clean the aerator?

Twice a year, or every few months if you have hard water.

Is it worth repairing an old bathroom faucet?

Yes, if the body is in good shape and parts are available. If it keeps leaking, is corroded or parts are hard to find, replacing it is often cheaper over time.