How To Fix A Bathtub Faucet

How to Fix a Bathtub Faucet: A Step-by-Step Guide

A leaky or malfunctioning bathtub faucet can be a major annoyance, not to mention a waste of water. If you're experiencing problems with your bathtub faucet, don't worry—you can easily fix it yourself with a few simple tools and materials. ### Step 1: Gather Your Tools and Materials Before you begin, you'll need to gather the following tools and materials: * Adjustable wrench * Pliers * Screwdriver * Replacement faucet cartridge (if necessary) * Teflon tape * Plumber's putty * Utility knife * Rags * Bucket ### Step 2: Turn Off the Water Supply Once you have all of your tools and materials, you need to turn off the water supply to the bathtub. There are usually two ways to do this: * Turn off the angle stop valves located under the sink. * Turn off the main water valve for the entire house. ### Step 3: Remove the Faucet Handle Once the water supply is turned off, you can remove the faucet handle. To do this, simply use the adjustable wrench to loosen the packing nut located behind the handle. Once the packing nut is loose, you can pull the handle off of the faucet. ### Step 4: Remove the Faucet Cartridge With the handle removed, you can now remove the faucet cartridge. To do this, use the screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the cartridge in place. Once the screws are removed, you can pull the cartridge out of the faucet. ### Step 5: Inspect the Faucet Cartridge Once you have removed the faucet cartridge, inspect it for damage. If the cartridge is cracked or damaged, you will need to replace it with a new one. ### Step 6: Install the New Faucet Cartridge (if necessary) If you need to install a new faucet cartridge, simply insert the new cartridge into the faucet body. Then, secure the cartridge in place with the screws that you removed earlier. ### Step 7: Apply Plumber's Putty Once the cartridge is installed, you need to apply plumber's putty to the base of the faucet. This will help to create a watertight seal. To apply plumber's putty, simply roll it into a rope and then wrap it around the base of the faucet. ### Step 8: Reattach the Faucet Handle With the plumber's putty in place, you can now reattach the faucet handle. To do this, simply insert the handle into the faucet body and then tighten the packing nut. ### Step 9: Turn on the Water Supply Once the faucet handle is reattached, you can turn on the water supply. Check for leaks around the base of the faucet. If you see any leaks, tighten the packing nut until the leak stops. ### Step 10: Enjoy Your Newly Fixed Bathtub Faucet! Once the faucet is fixed, you can enjoy your newly fixed bathtub faucet. Make sure to keep an eye on it for leaks, and if you see any leaks, tighten the packing nut until the leak stops.