How to Fix a Drip in a Washerless Fixture

Access Below the Faucet Handle

• 1

  Go under the sink and shut off both water supply valves. Once you turn off the water supply, turn on the faucet to drain any water left in the line.

• 2

  Find the screw securing the faucet handle. The screw is either behind the handle or under the curve of the handle; it might have a rubber plug covering the screw head. Pull the rubber plug off with your fingers and remove the screw with a hex wrench.

• 3

  Pull the handle off the faucet. Remove the escutcheon that is between the handle and the faucet body. Some escutcheons unscrew while others simply lift off the faucet.

Ceramic Disc Faucet

• 4

  Remove the screw securing the disc to the faucet with a Phillips screwdriver, if your ceramic disc uses a screw. Ceramic discs look like very short cartridges. Pull the ceramic disc straight out of the faucet.

• 5

  Turn the disc over and examine the three seals on the bottom. If the seals have cracks or tears, replace the disc with a new one. The seals are replaceable; however, most often other working parts inside the disc will be worn if the seals are worn.

• 6

  Wipe the bottom of the disc with a clean, damp cloth if the seals appear good. Wiping the disc removes slime or sediment that would allow water to drip through because of poor sealing.

• 7

  Insert the ceramic disc into the faucet body, aligning the three bottom seals with the water inlets in the body of the faucet. Reassemble the faucet in the reverse order of disassembly for your unit.

Cartridge Faucets

• 8

  Pull the C-clip securing the cartridge to the faucet body with a pair of needle-nose pliers. The C-clip is where the cartridge meets the faucet.

• 9

  Lift the cartridge out of the faucet body with a pair of pliers. Some cartridges have two O-rings around the outside circumference of the cartridge body. Take the cartridge to a home improvement center and purchase a replacement that is the same size.

• 10

  Insert the cartridge into the faucet body and slip the C-clip into he two slots to secure the cartridge. Reassemble the faucet in the reverse order of disassembly for your unit.

Ball Faucet

• 11

  Grab the ball stem with your fingers and remove the ball from the faucet. Examine the ball to ensure it doesn't have any pits or dimples. These are indication of wear due to sediment. If the ball has pits or dimples, replace it.

• 12

  Insert a small screwdriver into the seals and springs in the bottom of the faucet body. Lift the seals and springs out of the faucet. Replacement seals and springs come already put together.

• 13

  Apply a thin film of petroleum jelly to each seal with your finger. Insert the springs into the holes in the bottom of the faucet, pushing the seals down until they are flush with the faucet body.

• 14

  Insert the ball into the faucet body. Reassemble the faucet in the reverse order of disassembly for your unit.