How to Fix a Dripping Kitchen Faucet

On this page (7 sections)

1. Where is the kitchen faucet leaking?
2. What should you do before taking the faucet apart?
3. How do you fix a dripping single-handle cartridge faucet?
4. How do you repair a Delta faucet with a ball?
5. What if the faucet still drips after replacing parts?
6. How can you avoid choosing the wrong repair kit?
7. What is the safest way to fix a dripping kitchen faucet?

To fix a dripping kitchen faucet, locate the leak, shut off the water, and replace the worn cartridge or sealing parts that match your faucet. A drip from the spout often points to internal parts, while water around the handle or below the sink may need a different repair.

Start by identifying the faucet’s brand and style. The right repair depends on its internal design, so don’t buy a cartridge based only on the handle’s appearance.

Where is the kitchen faucet leaking?

The leak’s location helps narrow down what to inspect. Watch the faucet after turning it off, then check around the handle and beneath the sink without touching wet electrical connections.

• Drips from the spout: The cartridge, ball, or internal seals may be worn.
• Water around the handle: A cartridge seal or another part beneath the handle may be leaking.
• Water beneath the sink: Check the supply connections and hoses for moisture. A spout drip and an under-sink leak are different problems.
• Spray or uneven flow at the aerator: Mineral buildup may be affecting the outlet rather than causing a shutoff leak. See how to clean a kitchen faucet aerator.

Dry the faucet and nearby cabinet, then check again after using the handle. A paper towel can help reveal a slow leak around a connection.

What should you do before taking the faucet apart?

Close both shutoff valves beneath the sink before removing any faucet parts. Turn each valve gently, then open the faucet to release pressure and confirm that the water has stopped.

If a shutoff valve is stuck, corroded, or leaking, don’t force it. Stop and ask a plumber to handle the valve before working on the faucet.

Clear the cabinet and place a towel or shallow container underneath. Keep small parts together, and take a photo at each step so you can see how the handle and pieces fit back together.

Check the faucet’s instructions or model information before disassembly. Some faucets use cartridges, while others use a ball and separate seals.

How do you fix a dripping single-handle cartridge faucet?

Replace the cartridge only after confirming the faucet model and the matching part. The cartridge controls water flow in many single-handle faucets, but cartridges are not interchangeable across brands and models.

The general repair sequence is:

1. Shut off the hot and cold supply valves, then open the faucet to release pressure.
2. Remove the handle according to the faucet’s instructions, keeping screws and caps together.
3. Note the cartridge’s orientation before removing it.
4. Take the old cartridge with you when matching a replacement, or verify the model and compatibility.
5. Install the replacement in the same orientation and reassemble the handle.
6. Open the shutoff valves slowly, then check for leaks with the faucet off and running.

Don’t pry against the faucet body or force a stuck cartridge. If it won’t come out with the method in the instructions, stop before damaging the faucet.

Which Moen cartridge may fit?

The Moen 1225 Cartridge Kit fits most Moen single-handle kitchen and bathroom faucets, excluding Posi-Temp and ExactTemp valves. Moen includes instructions and a twist cap tool to help remove the old cartridge.

Confirm your faucet’s model before ordering. If you have a Moen faucet with a leak, our guide to why a Moen kitchen faucet leaks covers other causes to consider.

How do you repair a Delta faucet with a ball?

A Delta faucet with a compatible ball design may need its ball, seats, springs, or related seals replaced. Confirm the faucet’s design and repair instructions before choosing a kit.

For a Delta single-handle faucet that uses a #70 style ball, the Danco 86970 kit includes 4 seats, 4 springs, 2 cams, 4 O-rings, a #70 ball, and a hex wrench. Its compatibility is specific to faucets with that ball style.

A different Delta faucet may use a No. 212 stainless steel ball.

The Danco 86971 kit is for Delta faucets with that ball and is described for old-style and new-style faucets, so verify the ball type before buying.

Keep the parts in order as you remove them, and follow the faucet’s repair instructions for their placement. If you can’t identify the ball or the parts beneath the handle, get help before reassembly.

What if the faucet still drips after replacing parts?

Recheck the part match, orientation, and connections before taking the faucet apart again. A wrong cartridge or misplaced seal can leave the original problem unresolved.

Turn off the water before checking inside. Compare the old and replacement parts, make sure the new part sits fully in place, and inspect the handle and connections for anything left loose.

If the faucet drips only when running, check whether water is escaping from the handle, base, hose, or supply connection. That pattern may point to a separate issue.

For movement at the base, see how to tighten a loose kitchen faucet.

Persistent leaks, damaged threads, corrosion, or a shutoff valve that won’t work are good reasons to call a plumber. Dry any water in the cabinet and keep checking for moisture until the repair is resolved.

How can you avoid choosing the wrong repair kit?

Match the replacement to the faucet’s brand, model, and internal part. A cartridge kit for one faucet type may not fit another, even if both faucets have a single handle.

Use the manufacturer’s instructions, model information, or the removed part to identify what you need. If you’re replacing the whole faucet instead, first check the steps in how to install a kitchen faucet.

What is the safest way to fix a dripping kitchen faucet?

The safest approach is to identify the leak, close both shutoff valves, and replace only the confirmed matching part.

Choose the Moen 1225 kit for a compatible Moen single-handle faucet, the Danco 86970 for a Delta faucet with a #70 ball, or the Danco 86971 for a compatible Delta faucet with a No. 212 stainless steel ball.

If the faucet type is unclear, a valve won’t shut off, or the leak continues after reassembly, pause and get help. Once the repair is complete, check the faucet and cabinet again after use.

Frequently asked questions

Why does a kitchen faucet drip after you turn it off?

A faucet that drips from the spout after shutoff may have a worn cartridge, ball, or sealing parts. A leak around the handle or under the sink can have a different cause, such as a loose connection or hose issue.

Identify the leak location and faucet type before buying repair parts.

Should I turn off the water before fixing a dripping faucet?

Yes. Close the hot and cold shutoff valves under the sink before removing a handle or faucet parts, then open the faucet to release pressure.

If a valve will not close or starts leaking, stop and get help rather than forcing it.

How do I know which cartridge fits my kitchen faucet?

Identify the faucet brand and model, then compare its repair instructions with the replacement part’s compatibility. Handle style alone may not identify the right cartridge.

For example, the Moen 1225 kit fits most Moen single-handle faucets but excludes Posi-Temp and ExactTemp valves.

When should I call a plumber for a dripping faucet?

Call a plumber if the shutoff valves are stuck or leaking, the faucet is difficult to disassemble, parts are corroded, or water continues leaking after a correct repair. Get help promptly if water is reaching cabinets or flooring, because hidden moisture can cause further damage.