Faucet and Sink Repair
Quick answer
A drip from the spout is a worn cartridge, washer or seat; a leak at the handle is an O-ring or packing; water under the sink is usually a supply line or the faucet's base seal. Replacing a kitchen faucet runs $162–$364 installed, per HomeAdvisor. For a plumber, call (888) 217-6781.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Signs you need a plumber
- A steady drip from the spout with the handle off
- Water around the handle or the base of the faucet
- Water in the cabinet under the sink
- Weak flow or a sputtering stream
- A handle that is stiff, loose or hard to turn off
Water in the cabinet under the sink is soaking the cabinet floor and can reach the subfloor. Close the two shutoff valves under the sink and dry the cabinet before you call.
What to check before you call
- Close the shutoffs under the sink and see whether the drip stops
- Dry everything, then run the faucet and watch where water appears: spout, handle, base or supply lines
- Unscrew the aerator and rinse it; low flow is often just a clogged aerator
- Note the faucet brand; many have lifetime cartridge warranties
What the plumber does
- 1
Finds the leak
Separates a cartridge or washer drip from a supply line, base seal or drain leak.
- 2
Rebuilds the faucet
Replaces the cartridge, washers, O-rings or seats with parts for that brand.
- 3
Or replaces it
Installs a new faucet and supply lines when the body is corroded or parts are no longer made.
Faucet repair cost
| Job | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen faucet replacement, installed | $162–$364 (average $262) | HomeAdvisor |
| Bathroom faucet replacement, installed | $170–$360 (about $270 average) | HomeAdvisor |
The faucet you choose moves the replacement price; a repair with a cartridge is usually less than a replacement. Sources: HomeAdvisor cost guides (2025).
Ready to book a plumber?
One call reaches a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Step-by-step guides
Leak Under the Bathroom Sink: How to Find It, Even When the Water Is Off
Supply line, faucet, drain or drain seal: four tests with a paper towel find the leak, and tell you when it is coming from somewhere else.
Bathtub Faucet Leaking? How to Fix a Dripping Tub Spout or Handle, and the Leak That Hides in the Wall (2026)
Drip from the spout: cartridge or washer. Leak at the handle: O-ring. Water behind the wall: the one that grows mold and rots the floor. The fixes, in order of how much they matter.
Kitchen Sink Not Draining: Disposal, Plunger, Trap or Plumber
Grease and food set in the trap or the pipe past it: four steps in order, and what the clog's location tells you.
Faucet repair: common questions
Is it worth fixing a dripping faucet?
YesA worn cartridge or washer is an inexpensive part, and a steady drip wastes water every hour and can stain the sink.
Why is there water under my sink but the faucet is not dripping?
Check the supply lines and their nuts, the faucet's base seal and the drain trap. Dry everything and run the water to see where it appears first.
Repair or replace a faucet?
If parts are available and the body is not corroded, a rebuild usually fixes it. Old, corroded or discontinued faucets are often cheaper to replace than to chase parts for.
Other plumbing services
(888) 217-6781 is the plumbing line. HearthDry is a referral service; the company you reach is independent.