How To Fix Leaky Bathtub Faucet Single Handle Shower

A leaky bathtub faucet can be a major annoyance, wasting water and driving up your utility bills. If you're dealing with this issue, don't worry - it's usually a relatively easy fix that you can do yourself. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps on how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet single handle shower.

Tools and Materials You'll Need

Adjustable wrench
Phillips head screwdriver
Flathead screwdriver
Replacement washer
Plumber's tape
Cloth or rag

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Turn off the water supply. The first step is to turn off the water supply to the faucet. There should be two shut-off valves located under the sink, one for the hot water and one for the cold water. Turn both valves clockwise to turn off the water.

2. Remove the handle. Once the water is turned off, you need to remove the handle. To do this, use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screw that is holding the handle in place. Once the screw is removed, you can pull the handle straight up to remove it.

3. Remove the cartridge. With the handle removed, you will now see the cartridge. The cartridge is the part of the faucet that controls the flow of water. To remove the cartridge, use a flathead screwdriver to pry it out of the faucet body.

4. Inspect the cartridge and replace the washer. Once you have removed the cartridge, inspect it for any damage. If the cartridge is damaged, you will need to replace it. If the cartridge is not damaged, you can simply replace the washer. To do this, remove the old washer from the cartridge and replace it with a new one.

5. Reinstall the cartridge and handle. Once you have replaced the washer, you can reinstall the cartridge and handle. To reinstall the cartridge, simply insert it back into the faucet body and push it in until it is seated. To reinstall the handle, simply align it with the screw hole and push it down until it is secure.

6. Turn on the water supply and check for leaks. Once you have reinstalled the cartridge and handle, you can turn on the water supply and check for leaks. If there are no leaks, then you have successfully fixed the leaky bathtub faucet.

Tips

If you are not comfortable working on plumbing, you can always call a plumber to fix the leaky faucet for you.
If you have a two-handle bathtub faucet, the steps to fix it are similar. However, you will need to remove both handles and cartridges in order to replace the washers.
If the leak is coming from the base of the faucet, it may be necessary to replace the O-rings.