Single-lever control valves Time, use and water that is overly
acidic or mineral-laden can wear out the type of single-lever
valves now common on sink faucets and shower controls. When the
lever is pushed all the way down and the faucet continues to
drip, the culprit is a worn valve-stem assembly. You can swap
this worn part for a new one in about 20 minutes, and without
any under-the-sink gymnastics. Actually, it could take you
longer to find the right part than it does to make the repair.
Most major faucet manufacturers make single-lever faucets, and
replacement parts are widely available at home center and
hardware stores, but the valve assemblies are not
interchangeable. Even different faucet models from the same
manufacturer are likely to require different valve replacement
parts. It will be easier to get the right parts if you know the
name of the manufacturer and the faucet model number. If you
know the manufacturer but not the model, a local plumbing-supply
house might be able to narrow the choices fo