How to Stop a Sink Faucet Handle from Leaking Water

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Save money and avoid water waste with this quick tutorial

Co-authored by Dave Jones and Cheyenne Main

Last Updated: August 7, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Fixing a Leaky Handle
|
• Leaky Handle Causes
|
• Preventing Leaks
|
• Video
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• Expert Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Things You'll Need

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A leaky faucet handle can be annoying, but luckily, it's one of the easiest plumbing problems to fix yourself. All you need to do is dismantle the handle and replace any parts that are worn or damaged. We spoke with Master Plumber Dave Jones, who told us exactly how you can find out what’s causing the leak and fix it in just a few minutes. Keep reading to learn everything you need to get your sink working right again, no matter what kind of faucet you have.

Stopping a Sink Handle from Leaking

1. Turn off the water supply under the sink and plug the drain.
2. Pull the decorative cap off the top or side of the handle and remove the screw.
3. Pry off the handle and unscrew the nut underneath.
4. Pull out the cartridge and inspect it and the O-ring around it for damage.
5. Apply grease to a new O-ring or cartridge and put it in the handle hole.
6. Reassemble the faucet and turn on the water supply.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Fixing a Leaky Faucet Handle

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1. 1
   Turn off the water supply, turn on both handles, and plug the drain. Look under your sink for one or two small valves. Turn the valves clockwise to shut off the water supply to your sink and prevent water from spurting out while you work. Turn on the handles so the rest of the water runs out. Insert a plug into the drain or pull up on the stopper behind the faucet.

   • Plugging up the sink prevents any screws, parts, or tools from falling down the drain.
   • If you can’t turn off the water under the sink, turn off the water main in your home.
   • Master Plumber Dave Jones says “You’ll likely find the main water shutoff valve on a basement wall facing the front of your house” or “hidden from view inside a closet or wall access panel near the front of the house.”
2. 2
   Pull the decorative cap off the handle and remove the screw. Most sink faucets have a large or small decorative cover that hides the handle’s screw. Use a small flathead screwdriver or utility knife to pry off the cover on the top or side of the handle. Remove the screw underneath with an Allen wrench or screwdriver.

   • Single-handle cartridge faucet: Pry the cap off the top of the handle, remove the screw, tilt the handle back, and pull it off.
   • Double-handle cartridge or compression faucet: Pry off the cap on the top of the handle, remove the screw, and pull off or unscrew the handle.
   • Single-handle ceramic-disk faucet: Push the handle back and remove the screw underneath. Pull off the handle.
   • Single-handle ball-type faucet: Pry off the small cover on the side of the faucet, unscrew the hex-head screw with a hex-key wrench, and pull off the handle.
   • Other two-handled faucets may require you to unscrew the handle before you can pry off the cap. If the leak is coming from under the tap, unscrew the tap from the base.
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3. 3
   Unscrew the nut underneath using an adjustable wrench. Use an adjustable spanner wrench to loosen and remove the nut around the base of the handle. Jones says if the nut “has a chrome or metallic finish… put electrician tape or a rag around it to protect the finish, then use pliers to remove it.”

   • This nut holds down the cartridge, a metal and plastic piece inside the handle that turns the water on and off and controls the water flow. Some models may not have a nut.
   • If the nut won’t come off, apply penetrating oil around the screw and let it soak for 10 minutes before trying again.
4. 4
   Pull out the cartridge and inspect it and the O-ring for damage. The O-ring is a piece of rubber that wraps around the bottom of the cartridge. If the O-ring is worn, Jones says to take it to the hardware store to match it with a new one. If the cartridge is broken, you may have to get “a new replacement cartridge from the faucet’s manufacturer.”

   • Jones recommends shining “a flashlight down into the hole that the cartridge came out of. Inspect for debris and if you see any, remove it with your finger or a needle nose pliers.”
   • If possible, insert your finger into the handle hole. Pull out the rubber seat and spring inside to inspect them. If either are broken or worn, replace them.
   • Ceramic disc faucet: Lift out the neoprene seals inside the handle with a screwdriver. Check the seals for damage—if they’re broken, replace them.
5. 5
   Apply grease to the O-ring and cartridge and put them in the handle. Place the O-ring on the open edge of the cartridge and use your fingers to roll it down to the groove near the middle. Apply waterproof plumber’s grease along the outside of the O ring and on the bottom of the cartridge. Insert the cartridge into the handle hole in the faucet.

   • Compression faucet: Coat the washers at the bottom end of the cartridge and the O-ring with grease. If the disk around the washers is broken, replace that, too.
   • Ceramic disc faucet: Clean the cylinder openings inside the handle with distilled white vinegar and a small scoring pad or sponge, then rinse with water.
6. 6
   Reassemble the faucet and turn on the water valves. Use your adjustable wrench to tighten the nut around the top of the cartridge. Attach the handle, screw it on, then replace the decorative cap. Turn on the water supply under the sink, then unplug the drain and run the water for a few seconds to make sure the faucet has stopped leaking.

   • Jones recommends checking “the action of the faucet handle to make sure it moves freely.”
   • If your faucet keeps leaking and you didn’t replace the cartridge, that’s your next step. If you did replace it and it still leaks, you may have to replace the faucet.
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Section 2 of 3:

Causes of Leaky Faucet Handles

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1. A leaky faucet handle is caused by a worn cartridge or O-ring. Jones says “a leaky modern faucet handle, like those on a bathroom sink, is caused by a worn faucet cartridge. On older faucets, the leak is usually caused by a worn washer or O-ring.” If your handle is leaking from the tap, it might be caused by:

   • A corroded valve seat (the rubber ring underneath the cartridge)
   • A loose or damaged washer
   • Worn out inlet and outlet seals (inside of ceramic disk faucet handles)

Section 3 of 3:

Preventing Sink Faucet Leaks

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1. 1
   Inspect your sink for leaks regularly. A leaky faucet can waste water and increase your water bills. To check for leaks, examine the outside of the faucet, its gaskets, and the fittings of the pipes under your sinks to make sure there aren’t any surface leaks.

   • When you notice a component is broken or damaged, replace it immediately.
2. 2
   Descale your faucet once a month to avoid mineral buildup. Vinegar can help prevent limescale and other mineral deposits from damaging your faucet’s components. Fill a plastic bag with equal parts water and vinegar, secure it around the faucet head, and let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Scrub the rest of the faucet with the vinegar solution and dish soap.

   • Remove the bag and brush the head with a toothbrush or cleaning brush and dish soap. Run the faucet to dislodge anything inside, then rinse and dry the area.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  Why does my faucet leak from the handle?

  

  Dave Jones
  Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

  Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.

  

  Dave Jones

  Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

  Expert Answer

  It's almost always the O-ring, which is the plastic gasket inside of the cartridge. That thing can wear down over time, and it's usually the main problem when there's a leak.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
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  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 16
• Question

  Where do I get the replacement O-ring?

  

  Dave Jones
  Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

  Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.

  

  Dave Jones

  Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

  Expert Answer

  You can get them from the hardware store. There are all sorts of different O-ring sizes, so take the original ring with you to the store so you can find an identical one.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 3 Helpful 8
• Question

  How do I find a replacement cartridge?

  

  Dave Jones
  Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

  Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.

  

  Dave Jones

  Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

  Expert Answer

  You may have to Inspect your faucet carefully to find its brand name and model number. Once you know, visit the manufacturer’s website or look up their customer service phone number. Some brands guarantee their faucets for life and will supply replacement cartridges free of charge if you contact them directly. Otherwise, you can just buy one from them.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 0 Helpful 12

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• If you’re not sure where to start or if you find water damage around your sink, it may be best to call a professional plumber to come help.
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Things You’ll Need

• Utility knife or flat-head screwdriver
• Allen wrench or screwdriver
• Penetrating oil (optional)
• Waterproof plumber’s grease
• Replacement O-ring, cartridge, or a faucet repair kit