Kitchen or bathroom faucet drips from the spout
A spout that drips with the handle off means the part that seals the water, a cartridge or a stem, is worn. Close the stops under the sink, identify the part, and replace like for like.
One handle or two?
Most single-handle faucets shut the water off with one cartridge; on a two-handle faucet each handle has its own stem or cartridge. EPA says a faucet dripping once per second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year.
- Moen, one handle
- Kitchen and bathroom faucets from 1981 on usually use the 1225 cartridge, held by a U-shaped copper clip. On Moen faucets made after 2009 it may be a 1255 Duralast, held by a nut instead.
- Other brands, one handle
- Find the model on the maker's parts site before you buy: cartridges look alike across brands but do not interchange.
- Two handles
- Each handle has its own stem or cartridge. Shut off and work on the side that drips; turn the hot off at its stop and see if the drip stops to tell which.
Before you take the handle off
Close both stops under the sink
Turn each clockwise until snug, then open the faucet to make sure the water is off, as Moen instructs.
Plug the drain
Small clips and screws go down drains fast.
Photograph each part as it comes off
Cartridges have a right way up. On a Moen 1225, the notch on the stem sets hot and cold.
Call the maker if you are the original buyer
Moen and Delta both supply replacement parts to the original purchaser under their faucet warranties.
Stop and call a plumber if
- A stop valve under the sink will not turn, or leaks at its stem after you move it.
- Supply lines are corroded, kinked or bulging.
- Water is leaking from the base of the faucet or under the countertop rather than from the spout.
- The cartridge will not come out with the maker's tool. Forcing it can crack the faucet body.