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Learn how to take apart and diagnose the cause of your leak
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Drip. Drip. Drip. If you want to stop that annoying leaking tub faucet and prevent a higher water bill, you can repair it even if you don’t have any plumbing experience. There are a few common culprits that can cause a leak, but we’ll walk you through how to find the source and replace any faulty parts no matter what kind of faucet you have. When you’re finished, you’ll have a quiet tub that won’t waste water.
Things You Should Know
- Check the faucet seals inside the valve in the wall, and replace them if they’re corroded or damaged.
- Inspect the seat washers and bonnet washers at the end of the faucet for cracks. Install new washers if the old ones are breaking down.
- ​​Look for damage on the brass packing nut or the rubber packing washer inside the faucet bonnet. Replace them if they’re worn out.
- Replace the entire faucet stem or cartridge if it’s heavily corroded or damaged. Get one that matches the model of your faucet so it fits properly.
Steps
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Shut off the water supply to your home. Look for the water supply valve attached to a pipe in your basement or garage, and turn it clockwise to the “Off” position. If you can’t find your supply valve there, then check for the main shutoff valve in an access box outside your home. After you shut off the valve, turn on your tub faucet to drain out all the water that’s still remaining in the pipes. [1] X Research source
- Let everyone in your household know that you’re working on your tub faucet and shut off the water. [2]
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Expert Source
David Balkan
Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main Expert Interview. 23 February 2021.
- Let everyone in your household know that you’re working on your tub faucet and shut off the water. [2]
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Expert Source
David Balkan
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Loosen the faucet screw to pull off the handle. Look for the screw on the front or the bottom of the faucet handle. Turn the screw counterclockwise with a screwdriver until you’re able to pull it out. Then, just firmly hold onto the handle and pull it off of the faucet. [3] X Research source
- If your faucet has a decorative plate on the end, then the screw is hidden underneath it. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry it off.
- Be careful not to force the handle off the faucet, or you could damage the pipes. Instead, secure a bathroom handle puller to the end to remove it. If that still doesn’t work, then you may need to contact a plumber.
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Remove the collar piece from around your faucet. The collar piece is the metal decorative cylinder that protects the internal parts of your tub faucet. Check the bottom of the collar for a screw or bolt, and turn it counterclockwise to loosen it. Then, just firmly grasp the collar and pull it straight off to expose the inside of the faucet. [4] X Research source
- If you’re repairing a leaky faucet with two handles, then also remove the decorative escutcheon plate at the base of the faucet. Cut any caulk with a utility knife and loosen any screws to take it off.
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Use a bath socket wrench to remove a two-handle faucet stem. A two-handle faucet uses compression faucet stems that screw directly into the valve pipe in the wall. Slide the bath socket wrench over the stem and fit it over the hex nut. Turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen the stem from the wall valve. Once it’s loose, simply pull the faucet stem straight out. [5] X Research source
- If the hex nut sticks out past the wall, then you may be able to loosen it with a standard wrench .
- If you have trouble turning the wrench, try applying lubricating spray to the hex nut to loosen it.
- Remove both of the faucet handle stems since either of them could cause a leak.
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Unclip and pull out a single-handle faucet cartridge with pliers . Look for the metal retaining clip at the top of the cylindrical faucet cartridge, and pull it out with needlenose pliers . To remove the cartridge, pinch the end of the cartridge with your pliers and pull it straight out from your wall. [6] X Research source
- It’s normal if a little water drips out of the faucet or pipe once you remove the cartridge.
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Unscrew the ball joint if you have a single-lever faucet. If you see a ball with a lever when you remove the handle, then pop out the plastic piece covering the ball. Simply lift and pull the ball out of the faucet to remove it and expose the seat valves behind it. [7] X Research source
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Install new seats inside the faucet valve if they’re corroded or damaged. The seats are the small, cylindrical metal pieces at the ends of the valves on a two-handle faucet. Stick a seat wrench into the end of the valve in the wall and turn it counterclockwise to remove the seat. Wrap Teflon tape around the threading on the new seat and put it on the end of your wrench. Fit the new seat into the valve and turn it clockwise until it’s completely tight. [8] X Research source
- When the seat starts wearing away, it doesn’t form a watertight seal when you turn the faucet off, which may cause it to leak or drip.
- To replace the neoprene seats in a ball-lever faucet, pry them and the springs out from the holes in the back of the faucet. Use a screwdriver or needlenose pliers to pull them out. Get new seats and springs for your brand of faucet and feed them back into the holes. [9] X Research source
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Replace the seat washer if it’s cracked. The seat washer is the round black rubber piece at the end of a faucet stem in a two-handle faucet. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screw at the end of your faucet stem and pull the washer out. Put on a new seat washer made for your faucet onto the end, and tighten the screw to secure it down. [10] X Research source
- The seat washer presses against the seat to make a watertight seal to stop leaks.
- Buy a faucet replacement kit
to get a pack of assorted washer sizes if you can’t find washers specific for your model of faucet. [11]
X
Expert Source
David Balkan
Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main Expert Interview. 23 February 2021.
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Slide a new bonnet washer onto the faucet if it looks worn out. The bonnet washer is the large rubber ring that fits around the middle of a faucet stem or cartridge. Simply pull the old, cracked washer off from the end of the faucet and slide a new one on that’s the same size. [12] X Research source
- An old and cracked bonnet washer could cause a dripping faucet since small amounts of water can leak through.
- If the bonnet washer is crooked or raised, try straightening it out so it lies flat.
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Screw on a new packing nut if it has residue buildup or rust. The packing nut is the brass hex nut that’s screwed onto the threading. Grip the metal casing around the faucet with one wrench and turn the packing nut counterclockwise with another wrench. Unscrew the packing nut off of the threading and screw on a replacement until it’s tight. [13] X Research source
- If the packing nut corrodes, then it can’t create a watertight seal where it connects to the handle.
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Put in a new packing washer if water leaks from the faucet handle. The packing washer is the cylindrical rubber piece found underneath the packing nut. Unscrew the packing nut from the threading and pull out the washer with a pair of needlenose pliers. Set a new packing washer inside of the casing and screw the packing nut back in to secure it. [14] X Research source
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Get a new faucet stem or cartridge if it’s severely damaged. If there’s a lot of corrosion or buildup on the actual faucet stem or cartridge, then it’s best to replace the entire unit. Get a stem or cartridge that’s made to fit the faucet model that you have to ensure it’s the right size. Install the new stem by screwing it into the valve in your wall, and put in a new cartridge by sliding it into the opening and securing the retaining clip. [15] X Research source
- Ensure the faucet is in the full, open position so it fits all the way into the valve.
- Apply pipe sealant around the threading on a new faucet stem to help prevent the valve connection from leaking.
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Reinstall the faucet, collar, and handle. Screw in the faucet stem, or push in the cartridge or ball so it’s secured against the valve. Then, screw the collar pieces back on until they’re tight. Finish up by screwing the handle back onto the end of the faucet and reattaching any decorative plates. [16] X Research source
- If you removed any escutcheon plates, put a layer of plumber’s putty underneath them to prevent leaks from getting underneath and into your walls.
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Turn your water back on to check your faucet for leaks. Go back to your main water valve and turn it counterclockwise so the water flows to your faucet again. Slowly turn on your faucet and let the water run through it. After a few seconds, turn your faucets off and check if the spout or handle is still leaking or not. [17] X Research source
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Replace the tub spout if it still leaks after your repairs. Check for a screw on the bottom of your tub spout and turn it counterclockwise to loosen it. Otherwise, turn the whole spout counterclockwise if it’s screwed directly into the wall. Remove any old Teflon tape that’s on the threading. Wrap a new layer of Teflon tape around the threadings and slide on the new spout. Screw the new spout in and apply a bead of caulk at the seam to seal it. [18] X Research source
- The old spout may have worn out threadings that water could leak through.
- If your faucet still leaks after you change the spout, then contact a plumber to find out what’s causing it.
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Warnings
- If you have a persistent leak or don’t feel confident repairing your own faucets, contact a plumber to do the repairs for you.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/how-to-repair-a-leaking-single-handle-bathtub-faucet/
- ↑ David Balkan. Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main. Expert Interview. 23 February 2021.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/zDY2MCQZRic?t=94
- ↑ https://youtu.be/V6VkaASKYUQ?t=50
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H6gEUGT0HpM?t=160
- ↑ https://youtu.be/pjKZiY5QjQg?t=82
- ↑ https://youtu.be/nQZ7-6igsZ4?t=39
- ↑ https://youtu.be/5Np19i1yVYw?t=100
- ↑ https://www.txtha.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Faucet-Repair.pdf
- ↑ https://youtu.be/xNQTQj2qkXI?t=746
- ↑ David Balkan. Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main. Expert Interview. 23 February 2021.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/WHd_pKo0gx8?t=421
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Jh0YH9-RAEA?t=1427
- ↑ https://youtu.be/xNQTQj2qkXI?t=680
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H6gEUGT0HpM?t=245
- ↑ https://youtu.be/xNQTQj2qkXI?t=968
- ↑ https://youtu.be/WHd_pKo0gx8?t=525
- ↑ https://youtu.be/0GbbJJJJiUA?t=35
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you need to repair a leaky bath tub faucet, start by turning off the water to your home and opening the hot and cold water valves in your bath to drain any water still in the pipes. Then, use a Philips screwdriver to remove the handle from the wall before unscrewing the trim and collar by hand. Place these items aside in a container for safe storage, then put your wrench into the hole and turn it counter clockwise to remove the seat. Finish by examining the parts, replacing any you find to be faulty, and reassembling the faucet. For tips on how to replace the seat washer or the packing nut, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "Text and video quite good. A bit more attention to showing the tools used would have been helpful. For example the "seat wrench" in the video doesn't look like ones at the box stores website. No mention of sizes (maybe that's obvious). Conclusion: Excellent tutorial." ..." more
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"Text and video quite good. A bit more attention to showing the tools used would have been helpful. For example the "seat wrench" in the video doesn't look like ones at the box stores website. No mention of sizes (maybe that's obvious). Conclusion: Excellent tutorial."
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"After reading this article, we took the parts to a plumbing store as directed by the article and found the correct replacement part. Great photos and step-by-step instructions. Gave us confidence to attempt. Achieved success! No more drips."
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"This was very clear and the videos really helpful. They showed tools needed, faucet parts and the step-by-step procedure. It may be beyond our skill, but thanks anyway!"
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"Step by step instructions were great. All instructions were easy to understand. I liked that every element was explained thoroughly."
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"This showed I can do it myself and save lot's of money! If it doesn't work, then not so much, but I learned something. Thank you!"
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