How To Fix A Leaky Bathtub Faucet

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

A leaky bathtub faucet is a common problem that can waste water and increase your water bill. It can also be annoying to hear the constant dripping of water. If you have a leaky bathtub faucet, you can fix it yourself with a few simple tools and materials. ### Step 1: Gather Your Tools and Materials Before you begin, you will need to gather the following tools and materials: * Adjustable wrench * Phillips head screwdriver * Flat head screwdriver * Allen wrench (if necessary) * New faucet washer * New faucet seat * Plumber's putty * Teflon tape * Rags ### Step 2: Turn Off the Water Supply Once you have gathered your tools and materials, you need to turn off the water supply to the bathtub faucet. There is usually a valve located under the sink or behind the bathtub that you can turn to shut off the water. If you can't find the valve, you may need to turn off the water to your entire house. ### Step 3: Remove the Faucet Handle Once the water is turned off, you can remove the faucet handle. This is usually done by loosening the screws that hold the handle in place with a Phillips head screwdriver. Once the screws are loose, you can pull the handle off of the faucet. ### Step 4: Remove the Faucet Cartridge Once the handle is removed, you will see the faucet cartridge. This is the part of the faucet that controls the flow of water. To remove the cartridge, you will need to loosen the screws that hold it in place with an Allen wrench. Once the screws are loose, you can pull the cartridge out of the faucet. ### Step 5: Inspect the Faucet Cartridge and Seat Once you have removed the faucet cartridge, you need to inspect it and the faucet seat for damage. The faucet seat is the part of the faucet that the cartridge seals against to stop the flow of water. If either the cartridge or the seat is damaged, you will need to replace it. ### Step 6: Apply Plumber's Putty to the Faucet Seat If the faucet seat is not damaged, you can apply plumber's putty to it to help create a seal. To do this, simply roll a small piece of plumber's putty into a ball and press it onto the faucet seat. Make sure to spread the putty evenly around the entire seat. ### Step 7: Wrap the Faucet Cartridge with Teflon Tape Next, you need to wrap the faucet cartridge with Teflon tape. This will help to create a seal between the cartridge and the faucet body. To do this, simply wrap the Teflon tape around the cartridge in a clockwise direction. Make sure to overlap the tape slightly as you wrap it. ### Step 8: Reinstall the Faucet Cartridge Once the faucet cartridge is wrapped with Teflon tape, you can reinstall it into the faucet body. To do this, simply insert the cartridge into the faucet body and tighten the screws that hold it in place. ### Step 9: Reinstall the Faucet Handle Once the faucet cartridge is reinstalled, you can reinstall the faucet handle. To do this, simply insert the handle into the faucet body and tighten the screws that hold it in place. ### Step 10: Turn On the Water Supply and Test the Faucet Once the faucet handle is reinstalled, you can turn on the water supply and test the faucet. To do this, simply turn on the faucet and check for leaks. If there are no leaks, then you have successfully fixed the leaky bathtub faucet. ### Conclusion Fixing a leaky bathtub faucet is a simple task that can be completed in a few minutes. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can save yourself the cost of hiring a plumber and keep your bathroom looking its best.