Why Is My Faucet Still Dripping? The Real Cause (and When to Call a Plumber)

By Pacific Heating & Cooling | Certified Service Plumbers | Updated July 2026

You tightened the handle, you checked it again, and the faucet is still dripping every few seconds. A dripping faucet almost always comes down to a small internal part that has worn out and no longer forms a tight seal: a rubber washer, an O-ring, or a cartridge, or sometimes a corroded valve seat the water slips past. Below we walk you through the real causes, what you can safely check yourself, the clear signs it is time to call a plumber, and what a repair typically costs across Western Washington.

What causes a faucet to keep dripping?

Most dripping faucets come down to one worn part inside the valve. In older compression faucets it is usually the rubber washer or a corroded valve seat. In newer cartridge, ball, or ceramic disc faucets it is a worn cartridge or a cracked O-ring. Water pressure that is too high can also push water past seals that are otherwise fine.

Knowing which part is failing is what tells you whether this is a quick fix or something more involved. Here are the causes we see most often, and how to recognize each one.

A worn washer or seal (compression faucets)

In a compression faucet, a rubber washer presses down to stop the flow each time you turn the handle. Over time that washer hardens, flattens, or tears, so it can no longer seal.

You will usually notice a steady drip from the spout even when the handle is turned fully off, and the handle may need extra force. The fix is straightforward: a plumber shuts off the supply, disassembles the valve, and replaces the washer and any worn seals with the correct size.

A worn or damaged cartridge (cartridge faucets)

Many modern single-handle faucets use a cartridge that controls both flow and temperature. When the cartridge wears, it stops sealing and the faucet drips or gets harder to adjust.

The telltale sign is a drip that keeps going after you have already tried tightening things, often with uneven hot and cold. The solution is replacing the cartridge with the exact match for your faucet brand and model, which is where matching the right part matters most.

A cracked or worn O-ring

An O-ring is a small rubber ring that seals the base of the spout or handle. When it dries out or cracks, water escapes around the handle or drips from the base rather than the spout.

Two common leak points inside a single-handle faucet: (A) a cracked or worn O-ring near the handle base, and (B) a corroded valve seat that causes a persistent drip from the spout.

If you see water pooling around the handle instead of the tip, a worn O-ring is a likely cause. A plumber replaces the O-ring and checks the surrounding seals while the valve is open.

A corroded valve seat

The valve seat connects the faucet to the spout. In our marine Western Washington climate, mineral buildup and corrosion can wear this surface, so water leaks even with a fresh washer.

The sign here is a drip that returns quickly after a washer replacement. The proper fix is to resurface or replace the valve seat, not just swap parts around it.

Water pressure that is too high

Sometimes the faucet is fine and the pressure is the problem. Very high water pressure can force water past healthy seals, especially at night when household demand drops.

If more than one faucet drips, or if you hear a knocking sound in the pipes, pressure is worth checking. A plumber can test the pressure and, if needed, install or adjust a pressure regulator so the whole home is protected.

What you can check yourself vs. what needs a plumber

A few checks are safe and simple. Beyond those, faucet valves involve small matched parts and shutoff work, so the repair is best left to a plumber who can diagnose it properly and get it right the first time.

What you can safely do yourself:

• Turn off the two supply valves under the sink so the drip stops while you plan the repair.
• Note the faucet type and brand, which helps get the correct parts ready.
• Gently tighten a handle that is visibly loose, without forcing it.
• Watch whether one faucet drips or several, since more than one points to water pressure.

What is better handled by a plumber:

Opening the valve, identifying the exact failed part, matching the correct cartridge or washer, resurfacing a worn valve seat, and adjusting water pressure all take the right tools and the right replacement parts. We diagnose the cause, show you what we find, and walk you through your options before any work begins. You will see what we are seeing and know what it means. Pacific Heating & Cooling backs every repair with a 100% Money-Back Guarantee, so the fix is done right or you do not pay for it.

Signs you should call a plumber for a dripping faucet

Call a plumber if any of these apply:

• The drip continues after you have already replaced the washer or cartridge.
• Water pools under the sink or inside the cabinet.
• The handle is hard to turn or feels loose at the base.
• You see green or white corrosion on the valve or the fittings.
• More than one faucet in the home is dripping at the same time.
• The shutoff valves themselves leak when you try to close them.

Our background-checked technicians arrive in a 2-hour window and give you clear pricing before any work starts, so there are no surprises. If the repair is simple, we will tell you. If it points to something larger like water pressure, we will explain that too.

What does faucet repair cost in Tacoma and Western Washington?

As a general guide for Western Washington homeowners, a straightforward faucet repair such as a washer, O-ring, or cartridge replacement is typically an affordable, same-day service, while a full faucet replacement costs more because it includes the new fixture and additional labor. What drives the range is the faucet type, whether the correct part is readily available, and whether a worn valve seat or high water pressure also needs to be addressed.

Before any work begins, we give you transparent pricing in plain terms, so you know the number up front and can make a confident decision. If financing helps for a larger fixture project, we can walk you through financing options. Most faucet repairs are completed the same day.

Pacific Heating & Cooling has served Western Washington homeowners since 1984 and has earned more than 7,000 Google reviews at a 4.9 average rating. That same standard of clear answers and no-pressure service now carries into our plumbing work across the South Sound service area, and you can read what homeowners say on our customer testimonials page.

Still not sure what’s causing the problem?

Tell us what your system is doing and we’ll help you figure out the right next step. Pacific Heating & Cooling has been diagnosing heating and cooling problems across Tacoma and the South Sound since 1984. NATE-certified technicians, 2-hour arrival windows, and upfront pricing before any work begins.