Dripping Faucet: What to Check Before You Call

A drip at the spout is often a worn washer, cartridge, O-ring, or seat. A drip at the handle or under the deck can be a packing nut, supply connection, or failed cartridge. Hard water common in coastal Hampton Roads areas can wear cartridges faster and leave mineral buildup that keeps a valve from sealing.

• Confirm the drip is the faucet, not a supply line or drain under the sink.
• Shut the under-sink angle stops if you need to stop water before a visit.
• Note whether the drip is cold, hot, or both — that helps narrow the failed side.
• Avoid overtightening the handle; that can crush seats and stems.

If water is spraying from a supply line or the cabinet is flooding, treat it as urgent: shut the stops or the main, then call emergency plumbing.

Many cartridge and washer leaks are repairable. Replacement makes more sense when the finish is failing, parts are discontinued, the body is cracked, or the fixture is already near end of life. Bring a brand or photo if you already chose a replacement faucet.

Service path: plumbing repairs. If you cannot tell faucet vs pipe in the wall, see leak detection.