How much water does a dripping faucet waste per year?

About 3,000 gallons a year at a rate of roughly one drip per second, according to EPA WaterSense data. That's enough to noticeably affect a water bill over time, even though it never causes a visible flood.

Is it cheaper to fix a faucet myself or hire a plumber?

A DIY washer or O-ring kit costs about $5-$15, versus $100-$400 for a professional repair, so DIY saves money when you can correctly identify and replace the worn part. Misdiagnosing the problem can end up costing more in the long run.

What's the average cost to fix a leaky faucet?

Most homeowners pay around $270 nationally, with a typical range of $100 to $400 depending on faucet type and the part that needs replacing, according to Angi's 2026 cost data. Local labor rates can push that higher or lower.

Can a dripping faucet turn into a bigger problem?

Yes. A drip at the spout can signal a failing valve seat or a corroded supply line, and ignoring it can lead to leaks under the sink or water damage inside the cabinet that costs far more to repair than the original drip.

Should I get more than one quote for a faucet repair?

Yes. Prices vary by local labor rates, faucet type, and the part needed, so comparing quotes from a couple of licensed plumbers is the most reliable way to know whether what you're being quoted is fair.

Is a Dripping Faucet Worth Calling a Plumber For?

A single dripping faucet seems like a minor annoyance until you look at what it's actually costing you in wasted water. The honest answer is: it depends on the cause, but there's a fast way to check before you decide, and it doesn't have to mean a plumber's bill every time.

How Much Water Does a Dripping Faucet Actually Waste?

A faucet that drips at roughly one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water a year, according to the EPA's WaterSense program. That's close to what a family of four uses in a month. Zoom out further, and the average U.S. household loses about 180 gallons a week — nearly 9,400 gallons a year — to leaks throughout the home, faucets included, per the same EPA data.

None of that shows up as a flood. It shows up gradually, as a few extra dollars on your water bill every month until you finally notice, or trace it back during a leak check.

Can You Fix a Dripping Faucet Yourself?

Sometimes. Most drips trace back to one of three small, inexpensive parts: a worn rubber washer, a cracked O-ring, or mineral buildup on the valve seat. If you're comfortable shutting off the water supply under the sink, you can often replace a washer or O-ring with a $5–$15 kit from a hardware store and about twenty minutes of patience.

DIY tends to make sense when:

The faucet is a simple compression type, with separate hot and cold handles
You can visually confirm which part is worn or cracked
The fixture isn't under a warranty that requires a licensed installer for repairs

It gets more complicated with single-handle cartridge or ceramic-disc faucets, which are common in kitchens and newer bathrooms. Those need faucet-specific replacement cartridges, and installing the wrong one — or reassembling the faucet incorrectly — can turn a slow drip into a steady leak under the sink.

When Is It Worth Calling a Plumber?

Call a plumber if any of the following apply:

You've already replaced the washer or cartridge and the faucet is still dripping
The leak is coming from the base of the faucet or from under the sink, not just the spout
Water pressure feels off, or you hear banging or knocking in the pipes
You're dealing with an older galvanized supply line or an original-to-the-house fixture

A drip that persists after a DIY fix usually means the real problem is a worn valve seat, a corroded supply line, or something inside the wall — not the washer. Left alone, that kind of leak can quietly show up as a sudden spike in your water bill, long before you see any visible damage under the cabinet.

How Much Does a Plumber Charge to Fix a Faucet?

Nationally, professional faucet repairs run $100 to $400, with most homeowners paying around $270, according to Angi's 2026 cost data. Where you land in that range depends on the faucet type, the part needed, and whether the plumber charges a flat repair fee or bills hourly — we break down how plumber hourly rates work if you want the fuller picture.

Job	Typical Cost
Simple washer or O-ring replacement	$100–$150
Cartridge or valve replacement	$150–$275
Full faucet replacement (parts + labor)	$270–$400+
Standard service call fee	$150–$250

That service call fee matters: it's often charged whether the plumber spends ten minutes or an hour on-site, which is part of why bundling small jobs into one visit tends to be the better value.

These are national ranges from published cost guides — your local quotes will differ based on labor rates in your area, the faucet's age and brand, and the plumber's schedule. That's the real reason it's worth comparing more than one quote before you book: knowing your price is fair beats hoping it is.

Does It Make Sense to Bundle the Repair With Other Small Jobs?

Usually, yes. Since a large part of the cost is the service call itself, a dripping faucet is a good excuse to knock out other small plumbing items during the same visit — a slow shower drain, a running toilet, a worn supply line. If you're already looking into a bigger project, like what it costs to fix a leaking pipe, ask the plumber whether the same visit can cover both. Most licensed plumbers will quote a bundled job at a lower combined rate than two separate service calls would cost.

What to Do About It

Start by isolating the drip. Turn off the water supply under the sink, remove the handle, and look at the washer or O-ring — if it's visibly worn or cracked, a basic hardware-store kit is a fair first attempt, and it's the cheapest possible fix.

If the drip continues after that, if it's coming from the base of the faucet instead of the spout, or if you'd rather not open up the fixture yourself, get quotes from more than one licensed plumber before you commit. Faucet type, home age, and local labor rates all move the price, so a single estimate doesn't tell you much on its own. A second or third one does — and it's the only real way to know whether what you're being asked to pay is in line with what the job actually takes.