---
title: 'How to Fix a Leaky Faucet'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=Aqm33jFxBV0'
video_id: 'Aqm33jFxBV0'
date: 2026-06-28
duration_sec: 203
---

# How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

> Source: [How to Fix a Leaky Faucet](https://youtube.com/watch?v=Aqm33jFxBV0)

## Summary

This video provides a step-by-step guide to fixing a leaky compression faucet. It covers essential tools, safety precautions like turning off the water, and detailed instructions for repairing leaks around the handle or base of the stem.

### Key Points

- **Project Overview** [0:01] — The video demonstrates how to fix a leaky faucet, emphasizing that the setup is similar for most faucets.
- **Work Area Protection** [0:06] — Use towels to protect the work area from excess water and tools to prevent damage to the countertop.
- **Required Tools** [0:14] — Tools include pipe joint compound, a taped flathead screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, adjustable wrench, utility knife, taped channel lock pliers, and a mild abrasive pad.
- **Turn Off Water** [0:33] — Before starting, turn off the water using shutoff valves usually located below the sink, and stop up the sink to avoid losing parts.
- **Fixing Leak Around Handle** [0:46] — For a leak around the handle, pry off the top protective piece, remove the trim and set screw, then pop off the handle. Tighten the piece with a wrench; if still leaking, remove it completely.
- **Inspect and Clean Threads** [1:31] — Check the bottom of the piece for corroded or dirty threads and clean with a scouring pad. Replace any deteriorated o-ring or gasket.
- **Apply Plumber's Putty** [1:46] — Apply plumber's putty along the threads to ensure a watertight seal when reassembling.
- **Fixing Leak at Base of Stem** [2:01] — For a leak at the base of the stem, remove the entire assembly using protected channel lock pliers. Inspect the rubber o-ring and replace if worn. Clean inside the faucet with an abrasive pad to remove burrs.
- **Reassembly and Testing** [2:42] — Replace the faucet stem, tighten the fitting, turn on the water, and check for leaks. If no leaks, the repair is complete.

### Conclusion

Fixing a leaky faucet is a manageable DIY project if you follow instructions carefully and take your time. The key steps involve turning off the water, using the right tools, and addressing either the handle or stem assembly as needed.

## Transcript

hi I'm in and today we're gonna fix a
leaky faucet now the setup is about the
same for every faucet you always want to
protect your work area with some towels
that's gonna keep excess water from
getting everywhere and tools from
damaging your countertop for this
project you'll need some pipe joint
compound a flathead screwdriver with the
end taped up so you don't Nick any of
the plumbing parts a regular Phillips
head screwdriver an adjustable wrench a
utility knife some channel lock pliers
again with tape on the teeth so you
don't Mar to finish on any of these
fixtures and a mild abrasive pad now
before you start any project with your
faucet make sure you turn the water off
these shutoff valves are usually located
just below your sink also stop up the
sink so you don't lose any parts down
the drain again a lost part isn't gonna
do any good today we're we working with
a compression faucet now if you have
some leaking happening around the handle
the first thing you want to do is take
utility knife and lightly pry off top
protective piece now when you get it
open a little bit pop off the trim piece
at the top of the faucet that'll expose
the set screw now you want to take a
Phillips head screwdriver and take that
set screw out and then pop off the
handle now if it's a little tight you
can take your screwdriver and kind of
pry it up and get that off now I'm gonna
take your crescent wrench and tighten
down on this piece turn your water back
on if it's still leaking you want to go
ahead and actually take this off
completely now a little bit of water all
come up when you pop this piece off but
don't worry about as long as the waters
off no problem now take a look at the
bottom of the piece if the threads look
corroded or dirty take your scouring pad
and just sort of get any of that residue
off of there now if there's an o-ring or
a gasket on the bottom that looks
deteriorated to take the screw off and
replace the gasket itself when
everything looks good and checks out
you're going to take a little bit of
plumber's putty and just put it along
the threads that's going to give us a
watertight seal when we put the piece
back in so put your handle back on open
it up a little bit turn the water back
on then close down your handle if
there's no leakin you're golden now if
your faucet is leaking from the base of
the stem what you're going to need to do
is remove this whole assembly you want
to take your channel lock pliers that
are protected so we don't mess up the
finish on the faucet and loosen this up
a little bit
hand loosen and remove this fitting
completely gently rock the piece back
and forth a little bit of water will
come up that's not a problem now you
want to look at the rubber o-ring and
make sure it's in good condition if it
appears worn or torn replace it if it
looks like it's in good shape go ahead
and put it aside now you want to look
into the actual assembly on the faucet
run your finger inside now if you feel
anything in there take a mild abrasive
pad put it inside the faucet running
around a little bit and I'll take care
of any burrs that might have formed
inside you're ready to replace your
faucet stem gently work it back into the
slot replace your fitting take your
channel locks get it a final tightening
once your fitting is tightened down go
ahead and open up the water and then
close it down the leaking is gone you're
done so that's how you fix a leaky
faucet as you can see it's not too
difficult to project just make sure you
read your instructions carefully take
your time you should be fine