There are few sounds more annoying than a steady drip, drip, drip coming from your bathroom sink. Besides driving you slowly crazy, that little leak can waste dozens of gallons of water a month and add a few extra dollars to your water bill. The good news is that fixing a leaky faucet is one of the most satisfying DIY projects you can tackle. Most of the time, you just need a few basic tools, a replacement part, and a little patience. Before you reach for the phone to call a plumber, give this a try yourself.

First, figure out what kind of faucet you have. The most common types are compression faucets, which use rubber washers that wear out over time, and cartridge faucets, which rely on a plastic or metal cartridge that controls the flow. Ball and ceramic disc faucets are also out there, but they are less common in older homes. If you look under the sink, you can usually see how the handle connects. A compression faucet will have a single handle that you turn to open or close, while a cartridge faucet often has a lever that moves up and down or side to side. If you are unsure, take a photo of your faucet and bring it to the hardware store. The staff there can help you identify it.

Before you do anything, turn off the water supply. Underneath your sink, you will find two shutoff valves, one for hot and one for cold. Turn them clockwise until they stop. Then turn on the faucet to release any leftover pressure and confirm the water is off. Place a towel in the sink to catch any small parts that might fall, and put a bucket or a shallow pan under the sink in case you need to disconnect supply lines.

Now, the repair. If you have a compression faucet, the problem is almost always the rubber washer at the bottom of the stem. You will need to remove the handle, which is usually held on by a small screw hidden under a decorative cap. Pop the cap off with a flathead screwdriver, unscrew the handle, and then use a wrench to unscrew the packing nut that holds the stem in place. Pull out the stem and you will see a small brass screw holding a rubber washer at the very tip. Replace that washer with a new one that fits snugly, and replace the screw. If the stem itself looks worn or cracked, replace the entire stem. Reassemble everything in reverse order, and you are done.

For a cartridge faucet, the fix is even simpler. Remove the handle, then pull out the retaining clip or unscrew the cartridge retaining nut. Grip the cartridge with pliers—be gentle—and pull it straight out. Take the old cartridge to the hardware store to get an exact match. Slide the new one in, making sure the notches line up, and reassemble. Sometimes the cartridge just needs a good cleaning if there is sediment buildup, so if you do not have a replacement handy, try rinsing the old one with vinegar and water and reinstalling it.

After you finish, turn the water supply back on slowly. Check for leaks while the water is off, then turn the faucet on and off a few times. Watch for drips at the spout and also check under the sink for any water at the connections. A small drip can almost always be stopped by tightening the packing nut just a quarter turn more, but do not overtighten.

A few common mistakes to avoid. Do not use too much force when loosening nuts or you could crack the sink or the faucet body. Apply penetrating oil like WD-40 if something feels stuck. Also, keep track of every part you remove. Lay them out in order on a paper towel so you remember how they go back together. If you lose a tiny screw or washer, you might have to buy a whole new faucet.

Fixing a leaky faucet is one of those jobs that gives you a real sense of accomplishment. You save the cost of a plumber, often fifty to a hundred dollars or more, and you learn a little about how your home works. Plus, that peace and quiet once the drip stops is priceless. So next time you hear that annoying sound, grab a wrench and give it a go. You might surprise yourself with how easy it actually is.