If you’re asking how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet, you’ll be happy to discover that it’s a rather simple task to do. This will only require a few of hours of your effort, but it will result in a significant saving of your money.
The sad fact is that the longer you delay, the more dollars you’re allowing to go down the toilet with it.
So how do you fix a leaky bathtub faucet ?
If your bathtub faucet is leaking, changing the washers will most likely solve the problem, but it’s likely that there’s something else wrong with your faucet. While changing the washers, make sure there are no leaks in the valves and water supply lines. If none of these factors is the source of the leak, you may simply change the washers.
A dripping bathtub faucet is more than just an irritation; it may be unsafe. Increased water costs and the failure of inner faucet sections might occur from the amounts of water consumed by a leaky faucet.
The majority of the time, repairing a leaking faucet is a simple process.
This tutorial will walk you through the process of diagnosing the source of the issue and repairing a leaky bathtub faucet without the need to hire a plumber for assistance.
Also read: How to fix a leaky outdoor faucet
How to fix a leaky shower faucet
How to Protect Outdoor Faucets from Freezing
How to Remove Calcium Buildup on Faucets
Step by Step Guide: How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
When it comes to leaking bathtub faucet, the most typical cause is a worn-out washer that requires replacement.
How to do it is outlined in this section, and these steps are applicable to virtually any type of bathtub.
The methods, on the other hand, would differ if you were installing a freestanding bathtub with an independent faucet.
Step 1: Switch off the Water Supply
- First and foremost, turning off the water supply is essential when dealing with a leaking faucet.
- You will then wind up splashing water all over the place if you forget to do this step.
- It’s possible that you also have a basic valve in your residence that automatically turns off the water supply to the tub.
- If that wasn’t the case, you will need to switch off the water system for your entire building before moving to the next stage—there must be a handle near the water sensor that will let you do everything.
Step 2: Take off the Lid
- Now the next phase is to pull off the lid that encloses the screw that holds the faucet handle in position.
- You could do that with a simple pocketknife or a grooved screwdriver, depending on your preference.
- To begin, unlock the faucet completely to drain any remaining water, and then try to pull the cap off again with your preferred component.
- Position this somewhere secure where you’ll be successful in finding it once again in the process.
Step 3: Remove the Screw
- After you have separated the cap, you would be able to see the bolt that is located within the faucet handle and which keeps the handle in position.
- You must use a screwdriver to detach it at this point.
- To avoid misplacing it, remove the screw and store it with the cap.
Step 4: Detach the Handle from Stem
- Once the screw is removed, you may start to take the handle from the screw hole.
- Based on how old your faucets are, it may be difficult to remove the handle from the stem because rust and water residues may induce the handle to merge with the stem.
- If that is stubbornly refusing to come off, don’t push it — you could damage it.
- Rather, try steaming this with warm air from either a hairdryer or by splashing hot water above it, both of which may be effective methods.
- If it really won’t budge, you may have to turn to the use of a handle puller, which is a specialized tool that is created for that use.
Step 5: Remove the Faucet Stem Assembly
- Now the next step is to separate the escutcheon, which is the panel that shields the hole through the wall that has been created.
- In some cases, you might have to remove your dripping faucet, while in others, you could be able to just spin it off.
- Once the escutcheon is out of the way, you can go to work on completing the stem assembly.
- This is the area that you must go to in order to rectify the faucet leak.
- The volume and temperature of water that is distributed via the tub spout or shower head are controlled by the stem assembly of the faucet.
- An adjustable wrench is required to remove the stem assembly.
Step 6: Check the Washer
- The most common cause of a faucet beginning to drip is that the rubber washer has worn out and has to be changed.
- Once you take the stem assembly, the very first step you should do is look at the rubber washer at the tip of the stem assembly.
- This would be clearly evident if a new washer is required; an old washer will have dried and disfigured, and that’s what allows the water to seep across, resulting in the faucet leak.
- If somehow, the washer is the source of the issue, it is advisable to replace it.
- If you already have extra washers, you may simply replace the old washer with a new one.
- To do this, simply unplug the washer screw and pull out the washer; then replace the new washer and screw it back in place as instructed.
- When you don’t own one, you’ll want to go to the hardware store or order in online and get one.
- When you do this, it’s advised to bring the older one with you so that you can demonstrate it to the store’s employees.
- Workers will be able to locate the one you want in this manner.
Step 7: Examine the Seat Washer
- A further probable explanation for a bathtub leak is if the seat has been harmed in some way.
- The seat is the section of the washer that comes into touch with it, and it may get torn when the washer fades away or as a result of rust.
- In addition to generating leaks, a broken seat may soon harm the replacement washer that you have just installed, resulting in reoccurring leaks.
- As a result, whenever you repair the stem assembly with the newer washer, you must also inspect the seat for any indications of corrosion before proceeding.
- The seat will need to be removed and replaced if there are any indications of damage found on it.
Step 8: Reassemble the Stem
- If you decide to remove the seat washer, you’ll have to use a seat wrench, which is a specialized tool designed specifically for this purpose.
- After you have changed the washer and examined and fixed the seat as required, it is time to reassemble all of that.
- Using an adjustable wrench, put the stem assembly back into position.
Step 9: Replace the Cap
- Next, reinstall the escutcheon and attach it back into alignment as necessary, and then twist the handle securely in position.
- It’s time to reinstall the cap that protects the handle, now that it’s securely connected and fastened back into position.
Step 10: Test For Leaks
- In order to determine if the water is flowing properly, the water supply should be turned back on and the faucet should be tested for leaks.
- Providing the water is now flowing properly and the faucet parts are no longer dripping, the repair job has been finally completed.
Video Guide: How Do You Fix a Leaky Bathtub Faucet
What Are the Causes of Dripping Bathtub Faucets?
There are several different bathtub faucet models available. The flow rate of water from the blending valve, into which the hot and cold water pipes are connected, is controlled by a stem or cartridge.
1. Tub faucets that leak often are mostly the result of a fractured or worn washer inside the stem. With each turn of the water faucet handle, the washer is forced up against the valve.
The washer becomes worn out as a result of the repetitive pressure over time.
It’s possible that the bathtub faucet stem or cartridge is the source of the problem. Whenever the faucet handle is twisted, the stem or cartridge of the faucet rises and falls in level.
The water begins to flow as a result of this.
2. There is a chance that the leak is coming from the pipe leading to the bathtub faucet nozzle.
3. If the stem or cartridge breaks, it is possible that it will not stop the flow of water. Faucet knobs that are old or worn out might potentially be the cause of a leaky tub faucet.
Over the years of usage, handles may corrode and break, and they may not properly turn off the water flow after every use.
How to fix a leaky bathroom faucet if it has worn-out sealant
Another possible cause of a leaky shower faucet is a broken seal on the ends of a small section of pipe going to the outlet, which may be replaced.
- The first process is to unscrew the faucet spout from its mounting bracket.
- The nozzle is either a threaded faucet spout that can be fastened on and off or a predefined spout that cannot be fastened on and off. A little hex nut beneath the spout shows that it is a predefined spout.
- To detach the spout, twist the screw with a wrench or socket wrench and pull it out.
- Scrape the sealant where the spout and bathtub shell join using a tool knife to make it simpler to remove.
- Using a wrench, separate the length of pipe (also known as a pipe nipple) from the joint.
- Plumber’s tape should be used to secure the threads at both edges of the nipple.
- Next, insert the nipple into the 90º bend pipe that is located inside the wall.
- Twist the nipple in a clockwise direction until it becomes tight. Reconnect the spout to the faucet. Switch on the water to clean away any material that has accumulated.
- Replace the sealant in between tap spout and the wall with a fresh bead.
Also read: How to fix a squeaky faucet handle
Video Guide: How to Fix a Leaky bathtub Faucet with Two Handles
Conclusion
Hiring a plumber for such a simple task may appear to be a waste of money.
Although you may need to invest extra money on specialized equipment such as the wrench, it will still be less expensive than hiring an expert, plus you will always have the item on hand if you really need it again.
Fixing a leaking faucet has become one of the easiest plumbing projects, and if you’re feeling ambitious and ready for a task, you should always be able to handle faucet repair manually without many issues if you read our step-by-step tutorial.
Related Questions
1.Why is my bathtub faucet leaking hot water ?
The faucets placed in your bathtub are simple to replace and repair, and you may do the job successfully on your own. The leakage in your hot water faucet might be caused by a worn-out washer, gasket, or seal, depending on its position.
2. Why does my faucet drip after I turn it off?
If your faucet continues to leak water after it has been turned off, it may be due to a weak or defective seat washer. Sink faucets that leak often have problems with the washers. Because of prolonged usage, the seat washer screw might become loosen, resulting in the faucet dripping water.
