Process

• 1). Determine the type of faucet installed to purchase the correct washers to fix the leak. (Most small leaks around a faucet are caused by the need to replace a washer.) There are four basic types of faucets: ball, cartridge, ceramic and compression. Look online for images of faucets, refer to the manual that came with the fixtures or ask your local plumber to determine the type you have and the necessary tools and replacement parts.
  
  
• 2). Prepare the work space by turning off the water at the mains, placing all tools in close proximity to the leak and stuffing an old rag or towel into the plug hole to protect against accidents.
  
  
• 3). Drain the water from the faucet fixture by turning it all the way into the "on" position. This will remove any water left in the fixture that could make the repair process more difficult.
  
  
• 4). Remove any decorative caps from the top of the faucet so that you can reach the screws underneath. Use a Philips head screwdriver to remove the screws, and lift off the faucet unit. In some faucet types you may need to remove the single faucet, but in others you must remove the entire unit (regardless of the leak location).
  
  
• 5). Refer to the instructions on your leak repair kit or owner's manual to determine how to remove the stem of the faucet. Depending on the type of faucet, the stem may have a clip or screw holding it in place. You can unscrew some stems simply by turning them a certain way.
  
  
• 6). Turn the stem of the faucet over in your hand and look at the bottom. You should see a brass screw holding the washer (or what is left of the washer) in place. Note the state of the washer as well as the seat or bottom of the stem to determine whether you have to replace both or just the washer.
  
  
• 7). Replace the faucet washer and washer seat with the items indicated in the leak repair kit. This is a matter of putting the new washer and seat back on and tightening into place with an Allen wrench.
  
  
• 8). Put the faucet back together by reversing the above steps and screwing all the futures back into place. Test the faucet for leaks. If there is still a problem, you may want to consult with a professional plumber.