How To Stop Bathtub Faucet From Dripping

How to Stop Bathtub Faucet From Dripping

A bathtub faucet that's dripping not only can waste water and increase your utility bills, but it can also be annoying and disruptive. Fortunately, fixing a dripping bathtub faucet is usually a quick and easy task that you can do yourself with a few simple tools.

Here are the steps on how to stop bathtub faucet from dripping:

1. Identify the type of faucet.

There are two main types of bathtub faucets: compression faucets and cartridge faucets. Compression faucets have a washer that seals against the seat to stop the flow of water. Cartridge faucets have a cartridge that contains both the washer and the seat.

To identify the type of faucet you have, look at the handle. If the handle has a single lever, you have a cartridge faucet. If the handle has two handles, you have a compression faucet.

2. Gather the necessary tools.

To fix a dripping bathtub faucet, you will need the following tools:

Phillips head screwdriver
Adjustable wrench
Replacement washer or cartridge (if needed)
Plumber's putty
Rags

3. Turn off the water supply.

Before you start working on the faucet, you need to turn off the water supply. There are usually two shut-off valves under the sink, one for the hot water and one for the cold water. Turn both valves clockwise to turn off the water.

4. Remove the handle.

For a compression faucet, use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screw that holds the handle in place. For a cartridge faucet, use an adjustable wrench to loosen the nut that holds the handle in place.

5. Remove the packing nut.

Once the handle is removed, you will see a packing nut around the base of the stem. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the packing nut and remove it.

6. Replace the washer or cartridge.

If you have a compression faucet, remove the old washer and replace it with a new one. If you have a cartridge faucet, remove the old cartridge and replace it with a new one.

7. Reassemble the faucet.

Once the washer or cartridge is replaced, reassemble the faucet in the reverse order that you disassembled it. Tighten the packing nut and the handle screw.