A Detail Guide On How To Fix A Leaky Bathtub Faucet 2024

Learning how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet is not redundant at all. If you have ever experienced sleeping with an irritating, non-stop dripping noise or extra bills for water that you did not use, you will come to realize that this repair guide is utterly helpful.

Most people think that fixing a leaking faucet is a difficult job, and usually, they turn to a professional plumber for help. However, it is not that challenging, and with the help of the right tools and a little effort, your bathtub faucet will be working splendidly.

Leaky Bathroom Faucet — Don’t let the drips stain your expensive tub – get it fixed immediately

Fixing A Leaky Bathtub Faucet Is A Simple Matter

The repair procedure comprises eight steps as listed below:

Remove the handle
Unfasten the escutcheon
Pull out the stem assembly
Inspect the washer
Inspect the seat
Inspect other parts of the stem
Reinstall
Test the work

It does not sound like much work, right? First, you will get to know some common reasons that cause your bathtub faucet to leak. Let’s go!

What Makes Your Bathtub Faucet Leak?

It’s usually something beyond not having turned off the faucet completely. Below are some common causes that may be responsible for this annoying problem.

Bathtub Cracks

Some bathtub cracks are visible, but some are very thin, and not until they form some rust that you realize they exist. They can be sealed with a DIY repair kit, but I recommend that you let an expert do the job instead since there will be some drilling actions.

Faulty Shower Diverter

The shower diverter is a valve that reroutes the water in the tub’s faucet to the showerhead. In other words, it allows you to enjoy a hot bath and take a shower by pulling and pressing a rod or turning the handle, depending on what type of diverter you use.

Since the valve cannot be perfectly sealed, you can expect a small amount of water to drip out of the faucet. If it’s much more than that, the chances are that your shower diverter is faulty and needs to be replaced.

Washer

A washer is similar to a rubber band but much thicker, and it acts as a seal to stop the water flow. Over time, due to corrosion caused by water sediment and mineral build-up, it will crack or be worn out, allowing water to seep through and start leaking from the faucet.

Improper Installation On Tub Faucet

If the parts were not properly installed, leaks would happen. All the components should be tightened and are of the right size.

Plumbing Problems

A leaky faucet is sometimes more severe than you think, and sometimes, the plumbing system is the root of the cause. In such cases, there’s no use working on your own – pick up the phone and seek professional help instead.

Prepare The Tools

Now that you know what caused the bathtub faucet to leak, it’s time to assemble the tools for the work.

Screwdriver (you may need both the flat head and the Philips)
Hairdryer
Seat wrench
New or spare parts
Penetrating lubricant and pipe dope, if the seat’s being replaced.
Plumber’s grease
Distilled white vinegar (optional)
Scale remover (optional)
Small knife (optional)

Got everything ready? If so, it’s time for some bathroom plumbing!

Fixing A Leaky Bathtub Faucet (8 Steps)

First and foremost, shut the water supply off while you are working with the faucet. You don’t want the water to splash your face all of a sudden. Okay, now you’re ready!

Note: This guide applies to most bathtubs except for the freestanding type, which is a bit trickier to proceed.

Step 1: Detach The Handle

You will need to open the faucet to drain any remaining water. Then, use the screwdriver to remove the retaining screw inside and remove the handle.

The handle can be pulled out by hand, but it’s a bit difficult if it’s old. If it seems stuck, you can pour a little boiling water on it or use a hairdryer to blow it. Avoid using too much force, or it can break.

Another trick is to spray a bit of distilled white vinegar under the handle. It’s okay if it drips. Wait for 20 to 30 minutes and try pulling it out again. And here’s the last resort if it’s really stubborn: a scale remover, such as Viakal.

Step 2: Unfasten The Escutcheon

Escutcheon is a decorative metal plate behind the faucet, and it can usually be removed without difficulty. Should it’s stuck, use the hairdryer trick to get it out.

The faucet has now been dismantled. By the time you are here, it’s essential to keep all the parts in a small container in the exact order you have removed so that you know how to put everything back.

Step 3: Pull Out The Stem Assembly

After removing the escutcheon, you will see the stem assembly, and it should look something like the second photo below (the color and the length can vary). Remove it using a seat wrench (the first photo).

Credit: Do It Yourself

Now, you will continue working with it to figure out what’s the problem.

Step 4: Inspect The Washer

As I mentioned earlier, the washer is a ring that looks similar to a rubber band. Check whether your washers are still in good condition. Provided that it’s hardened, damaged, or covered with mineral deposits, you know it’s time to let them go.

Credit: The Smell Of Molten Projects In The Morning

If you have spare washers, remove the washer screw, peel off the old washers by hand or a small knife, and replace it with the new ones. In case you don’t have any available, you can take the old one to the hardware store to find the matching one.

Step 5: Inspect The Seat

The seat can be damaged if corroded or worn out by mineral deposits. Replace it if it’s in a deteriorating condition. To do this, you will need a seat wrench, a special tool to do this job.

Credit: Terry Love Plumbing

Note: If the seat refuses to come off, soak it with penetrating lubricant. If you are planning to replace the seat, coat the threads of the new one with pipe dope, a type of sealant used to create a seal before screwing it into the fixture body using the specialized wrench.

Step 6: Check Other Parts Of The Assembly

If you want to make sure everything works perfectly, it’s worth having a look at other components, too. Look for any sign of damage and get rid of the debris.

If you don’t seem to find any problem but still want to replace it, stop by your local Home Depot and get a new one. It should come with the washers, too, so there’s no need to buy separate parts.

Should you want to replace only the faulty parts, remove and replace as per the following instructions:

Step 1: Remove the retaining nut out of the bonnet by twisting the stem clockwise

Step 2: Pry the old packing washer off with a screwdriver.

Step 3: Grease the stem threads and put the stem back into the bonnet.

Step 4: Slide in the new packing washer after greasing.

Step 5: Grease the threads before tightening the nut.

Step 6: Replace the washer. Again, grease it and the threads of the screw before installing.

Step 7: Replace the bonnet washer. Needless to say, you will also grease it.

Step 8: Apply pipe dope to the bonnet threads and reinstall it to the faucet body.

Step 9: Grease the handle splines and change the escutcheon and the handle.

Yes, it’s somewhat complicated, so consider buying a new stem if you don’t want to waste your valuable time.

Step 7: Reassemble The Faucet

Once you have checked and replaced all the faulty parts, it’s time to put everything back into place. You will do it in the reverse order, starting with the stem, then the escutcheon, followed by the faucet. Make sure that everything is tight but way not too tight for future repairs.

If you have two handles, repeat the steps with the other one.

Step 8: Testing

Finally, turn on the water supply and do a little testing. Unfortunately, if water still leaks from the faucet or new leak springs, you should not take the matter into your own hands and call the plumber instead.

However, if there’s no more leak, congrats – you have successfully pulled it off! No more wasting your money on the plumber and extra water bills!

Watch this video to know more:

Watch this video: Fixing a leaky bathtub faucet is not difficult at all

Pro Tips For Fixing Your Leaky Bathtub Faucet

These brilliant tips and tricks will come in handy for future repairs, so don’t skip the following section!

Find the right handle: if you have two handles, it’s recommended that you check which faucet is leaking by feeling the drips with your hand. If it’s hot, repair the hot handle and vice versa.
Look for the matching replacements: it’s best to bring the old models to the store to do so. The components are rather small, and it can be a little tricky for you to tell them apart regarding the size.
Don’t overtighten: future leaks are inevitable, and the chances are that you will have to do this again. Therefore, ensure that everything is not overtightened so that you can take it apart much easier later.
Securing the seat: use a piece of Teflon tape to wrap around the threads in the seat before reassembling. Make sure that there’s space for the water to flow through.

And, here’s a fun fact: if you’re lucky enough, the leak will be gone once you replace the new handle. If not, you will have to go further to the stem to solve the problem. But indeed, it’s worth your time – cut the weeds and dig up the roots, you know.

FAQs

Have further questions? The following section got you covered with all the answers you need. Check it out!

I can’t seem to find the retaining screw mentioned in this post. Where is it?

Depending on what type of faucet you use, it can be located under a decorative glass mount, which can be removed by prying off with a pocket knife or under the cap if the type of faucet you use comes with a shower diverter.

Typically, the cap is where the manufacturer’s logo or the red/blue emblem is. It can be removed with ease using a pocket knife or a slotted screwdriver.

My tub is leaking water from the hot handle only. Do I have to repair the cold one as well?

In theory, you don’t since the problem only comes from one handle. However, I suggest that you repair both of them so that they are aged the same, and you can save a job later.

I couldn’t peel off the old washers by hand. What should I do?

Try using a pocket knife to pry them off. They should come out easily.

How do I use the handle puller to get the handle out?

A handle puller is a specialized tool used to remove the handle if heat or vinegar fails to do so. Although it is not common to have this thing in your house, it’s a good investment, especially if you plan to do the plumbing yourself.

Think of the handle puller as a corkscrew. You will hook the jaws behind the faucet handle and insert the rod through the hole for the set screw. By turning it clockwise, the handle is tightened and locked to the jaws. Keep turning in the same direction until the handle is removed.

There seems to be a screw underneath the spout. What should I do with that?

The screw is used to hold the spout in place. To loosen it, turn the screw counterclockwise using an Allen wrench.

A Friendly Reminder

And those are the steps of how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet – it’s pretty quick and straightforward, right? Even if you don’t know anything about plumbing, I’m sure you will succeed on the first attempt.

Keep in mind that the components should be gently removed. If any persists, wiggle it or try the tricks mentioned in the steps. You don’t want to break them and end up calling the plumber to help you with a gigantic mess that costs you tons of money.

I hope that you enjoy this post and no longer worry about the drippings again. As usual, should you have any further questions, comment right below, and I’ll reach out as soon as possible. Good luck with your work!