​A dripping kitchen faucet is more than an annoyance. Over time, a slow drip can stain sinks, accelerate limescale buildup, and signal wear inside the valve body that may worsen into a larger leak. The good news is that most drip problems follow a predictable pattern.

​A dripping kitchen faucet is not only an annoyance but also a source of water waste that can increase utility bills. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a faucet leaking one drop per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year.