Leaky Faucet? Here's What It Means & How to Fix It

A dripping faucet seems minor, but a faucet leaking 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons of water per year. If it is a hot water tap, you are also paying to heat all of that. For southern New Hampshire homes, most faucet leaks fall into a small set of common causes. Some are straightforward DIY repairs; others signal a deeper issue worth a licensed plumber's attention.

Here is how to diagnose a leaky faucet and what to do about it.

Common causes of a dripping faucet

Worn rubber washer (compression faucets)

Older two-handle compression faucets use a rubber washer that compresses against a valve seat when you close the tap. Over years of use, the washer hardens, deforms, or cracks. The result is a slow drip that gradually gets worse.

DIY fix: shut off the water supply at the angle stop under the sink. Remove the handle, unscrew the bonnet, pull the stem, and replace the washer with an exact match from a hardware store. Reassemble.

Worn cartridge (single-handle faucets)

Single-handle faucets use a cartridge that controls both flow and temperature. When the internal seals on the cartridge wear out, the faucet drips or leaks at the base of the handle.

DIY fix: shut off the water supply. Remove the handle (usually a small set screw under a decorative cap). Pull the cartridge straight up with pliers. Take the old cartridge to a hardware store for an exact replacement. Reinstall and reassemble.

Worn O-ring at the base of the spout

If water leaks from where the spout meets the base of the faucet (not from the spout itself), the O-ring that seals the spout to the body has degraded. Common in older kitchen faucets that swivel.

DIY fix: shut off the water, remove the spout, replace the O-ring, reassemble with a thin layer of plumber's grease.

Valve seat corrosion or mineral buildup

The valve seat is the metal opening that the washer or cartridge closes against. NH water with high mineral content can deposit scale on the seat, which damages the washer or cartridge and causes leaks even after replacement.

DIY fix: clean the valve seat with a small wire brush and a vinegar solution. Severe pitting may require seat replacement, which usually means calling a plumber.

High water pressure

NH residential water pressure should be 40 to 80 PSI. Pressure above 80 PSI stresses every fixture, hose, and appliance in the home, and leaks become much more frequent.

DIY check: a hose-bibb pressure gauge (under $15) attached to an outdoor faucet gives you the answer in a minute.

Fix: a pressure reducing valve (PRV) installed where the water service enters the home regulates pressure to a safe level. This requires a licensed plumber.

Loose connections inside the faucet body

Less common but possible. Internal connections (between the cartridge or stem and the body) can loosen over time, especially after frequent use.

DIY fix: snug everything down during reassembly. If the leak continues, internal damage may require replacing the faucet itself.

When to replace the faucet entirely

Repair is usually the right answer for individual component failures. Replacement makes more sense when:

• The faucet is decades old and parts are no longer available
• The faucet body itself is cracked or corroded
• Multiple components are failing at once
• You want to upgrade to a touchless or smart faucet
• You are renovating the kitchen or bathroom anyway

What about the small drips you can't seem to fix?

Some leaks come and go, especially on faucets that get heavy use. If you have replaced the washer or cartridge and the drip continues, common causes:

• The replacement part was not the same model as the original
• The valve seat has been damaged and needs replacement
• The faucet body has internal damage
• Water pressure is too high and needs to be addressed at the source

When to call a plumber

• The angle stop under the sink will not shut off the water
• You cannot identify the source of the leak
• You have replaced washers/cartridges and the leak persists
• The faucet body shows visible corrosion
• You suspect a water pressure issue (other fixtures also showing problems)
• You want a faucet replaced (especially in older homes with corroded supply lines)

Schedule plumbing service

For faucet repair, replacement, or any plumbing issue in southern New Hampshire, contact A.J. LeBlanc Heating. Serving New Hampshire families since 1928.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much water does a leaky faucet waste?

A faucet leaking 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year. A faster drip can waste several thousand gallons.

Can I fix a leaky faucet myself?

For most common causes (worn washer, cartridge, O-ring), yes. Shut off the water, disassemble the faucet, replace the failed component with an exact match, and reassemble.

Why does my faucet still leak after I replaced the washer?

Most commonly: the new washer does not quite match the original, or the valve seat is corroded and damaging the new washer. A licensed plumber can replace the valve seat or the faucet.

What is the right water pressure for a NH home?

40 to 80 PSI. Above 80 PSI stresses fixtures and accelerates leaks. A pressure reducing valve solves the problem.

Are touchless faucets reliable?

Modern touchless faucets from major brands (Moen, Kohler, Delta) are reliable. They require batteries or a hardwired power connection, and the sensor and solenoid can fail over time. The standard residential models we install have proven track records.