PlayInfoBox

Home /Education /How to Fix a Leaky Faucet by Replacing the Washer

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet by Replacing the Washer

A dripping faucet is often just a worn rubber washer β€” a cheap, ten-minute fix once the water is shut off. Here's how to do it step by step.

  1. [Safety first] Shut off the water supply valve

    Before starting, turn off the shutoff valve located under the faucet or on the supply line at the wall to fully stop the water. After closing it, open the faucet handle to drain any water left in the line before you start disassembling anything.

  2. Disassemble the faucet handle

    Gently pry off the decorative cap on top of the handle with a flathead screwdriver or knife tip, then remove the screw underneath to lift the handle off.

  3. Remove the spindle

    With the handle off, use a wrench to loosen the packing nut on the valve body, then unscrew the spindle (the stem that controls water flow) by turning it counterclockwise to pull it out.

  4. Check the worn washer and replace it with a matching one

    If the rubber washer at the end of the spindle is hardened or cracked, that's usually the main source of the leak β€” replace it with a new washer of the exact same diameter and thickness as the original.

  5. Reassemble in reverse order

    Insert the spindle back in, tighten the packing nut, then reattach the handle and decorative cap in the reverse order you removed them.

  6. Turn the water back on and check for leaks

    Slowly reopen the shutoff valve and run the faucet to check for any remaining drips. If it still leaks after replacing the washer, the cause may be a worn valve seat or an aging faucet body β€” consider replacing more parts or getting a professional inspection.

A washer is the cheapest, most common fix for a drip

The steady drip-drip-drip from a faucet is annoying and wastes water over time, but in most compression faucets it comes down to one small, inexpensive rubber part wearing out. Before assuming you need a whole new faucet, this simple swap is worth trying first.

Matching the washer size exactly matters

Washers come in a range of diameters and thicknesses, and a slightly wrong size will either fail to seal properly or wear out again quickly. Bringing the old washer to the hardware store, or noting its exact dimensions, makes it far more likely you'll get the right replacement on the first try.

Frequently Asked Questions

My faucet still drips after I replaced the washer β€” what now?

A continued leak after a washer replacement usually points to a worn valve seat inside the faucet body, mineral buildup preventing a tight seal, or general wear on an old faucet. At that point, replacing the valve seat or the whole faucet cartridge, or calling a plumber, is the next step.

Do I need any special tools to replace a faucet washer?

Most compression faucets only need a flathead screwdriver, a wrench sized to the packing nut, and a replacement washer of matching size β€” no specialized plumbing tools are required for this particular repair.