Bathtub Faucet Leaking? Here’s What to Do

Leaking bathtub faucets can be irritating to deal with. It is wasteful (both in terms of water and the money spent on your water bill), and that constant drip-drip-drip of a leaking faucet is enough to put anyone on edge. In some cases, you can fix your existing faucet, but if the faucet is too damaged or you’re ready for a change, you might need to replace it.

How to Fix a Leaky Bathtub Faucet

Learning how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet is a handy skill to have. The most common cause of leaking faucets is a worn-out washer that needs to be replaced, which is a pretty straightforward fix. Here’s what you need to do to fix a leaky bathtub faucet:

1. Shut off the water supply.
2. Turn the faucet to the “on” position to get rid of any remaining water.
3. Remove the faucet cap. It’s a flat cap covering the faucet you can remove with a flat screwdriver or a small pocket knife.
4. Once the cap is off, you should see a screw that holds the handle in place. Remove this screw.
5. Remove the handle. If it doesn’t want to come off, try pouring boiling water over it to loosen any mineral deposits or other debris that might be holding it on.
6. Remove the escutcheon. This is the plate against the wall, covering the holes around the plumbing pipes. Depending on the model of your faucet, this can either just be pulled off, or you’ll have to remove screws before taking it off.
7. Use an adjustable wrench to remove the stem assembly. This is where you’ll find the cause of the leak.
8. Check the washer. If it looks dry, cracked, ragged, or otherwise damaged, this is the most likely reason for the faucet leak. You’ll need to replace it with a new one. To do this, unscrew the washer screw, pull off the old washer, put the new one on, and re-fasten the washer screw.
9. Check the seat for damage. This is the part that’s against the washer and is another common cause of leaks. If yours looks damaged, you’ll need to replace it as well.
10. Reassemble everything and test it out. Hopefully, your leak is fixed!

Related Topic: How to Repair a Shower Diverter

How to Replace a Bathtub Faucet

If replacing the faucet washer and seat didn’t do the trick (or you just want a new faucet), then it’s time to replace it. Here’s how to replace a bathtub faucet:

1. Begin by following the steps above for replacing a faucet, from prying the caps off to removing the stem assembly.
2. Screw the new stem onto the faucet pipe.
3. Slide the new handle over the stem and screw it in place.
4. If you purchased a new spout as well, remove the old one by unscrewing it from the pipe, and then install the new one.

Turn to the Experts for Proper Leaky Bathtub Faucet Services

You don’t have to continue living with a leaky bathtub faucet. Your local Mr. Rooter is ready to help you put a stop to leaks! We can also perform a thorough inspection of your system to ensure your plumbing is working properly. Give us a call or request an estimate online today.