A dripping faucet is easy to ignore. The EPA estimates that a faucet dripping once per second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year, enough water for about 180 showers. On Rancho California Water District's tiered water budget, that is not free.
The short answer
Most modern faucets do not have washers. They have a ceramic or plastic cartridge with rubber seals. In Temecula, the water carrying through that cartridge is very hard: Rancho Water's imported supply averaged 268 mg/L in 2021, about 15.7 grains per gallon. Minerals build up on the seals and ceramic discs, the cartridge stops sealing fully, and the faucet drips.
Find where it is leaking
- From the spout when off: cartridge or seat.
- Around the handle: O-rings or cartridge seals.
- From the base of the faucet on the countertop: body O-rings, common on kitchen faucets.
- Under the sink: supply line, angle stop or sprayer hose. This one can do the most damage because nobody sees it.
Quick checks before calling
- Clean the aerator. Unscrew it, soak it in white vinegar for an hour and rinse. Low flow often comes from here.
- Note the brand. Moen, Delta, Kohler and Pfister cartridges are widely available.
- Check the angle stops. If they are the original multi-turn type and stiff, plan to replace them with the repair.
Repair or replace?
| Situation | Usually best |
|---|---|
| Name-brand faucet, under 15 years, finish OK | Replace the cartridge |
| Builder-grade faucet from the 1990s | Replace the faucet |
| Corroded body or parts discontinued | Replace the faucet |
| Leak under the sink | Replace supply line or angle stop |
New faucets sold in California must meet flow limits: 1.2 gallons per minute for bathroom faucets and 1.8 gallons per minute for kitchen faucets. A new faucet usually lowers water use as well.
Slowing it down next time
Clean aerators every few months. If several faucets and the shower valves are all getting stiff, it may be time to look at a water softener. Softening slows scale everywhere, including your water heater.
For more on toilets, the other common drip, see why your toilet keeps running.