Why Faucets Leak and Drip
A dripping faucet usually means a worn cartridge, seat or O-ring inside the handle, not a problem with the water supply. Newnan water carries minerals that wear these parts faster, so a faucet that has run for years often starts to drip at the base or spout.
A leak under the sink is different. It often comes from a loose supply connection or a cracked valve, and it can damage the cabinet before you notice it.
Repair or Replace: How to Decide
Repair makes sense when the body of the faucet is sound and only a cartridge or seal has failed, which is often the case with faucet repair. Replace makes sense when the finish is pitted, the body is cracked, or the same part has failed more than once.
Replacement also makes sense when you are changing the sink or want a different spread or height, or when you need toilet bowl replacement. A plumber can tell you which applies after looking at the faucet and the shut-off valves underneath.
What You Can Safely Check Yourself
You can turn off the shut-off valves under the sink and dry the cabinet to see where water is coming from. You can also check the aerator for grit and soak it in vinegar.
Do not take the faucet body apart or force a stuck valve. A seized shut-off can break and flood the cabinet, and that is a job for a licensed plumber.