How To Stop A Leaky Bathtub Faucet

How to Stop A Leaky Bathtub Faucet: A Comprehensive Guide

A leaky bathtub faucet can be a major annoyance, not to mention a waste of water. If you're dealing with a leaky 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 - Phillips head screwdriver - Flat head screwdriver - Pliers - Teflon tape - New faucet washer - New O-ring (if necessary) - Bucket - Rags - Safety glasses ### Step 2: Turn Off the Water Supply The first step is to turn off the water supply to the faucet. This is usually done by turning the valve under the sink. If you can't find the valve, you may need to turn off the water supply to your entire house. ### Step 3: Remove the Faucet Handle Once the water supply is turned off, you can remove the faucet handle. This is usually done by loosening the screws that hold the handle in place. Once the screws are 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. The cartridge is a cylindrical-shaped piece of metal that is located inside the faucet. To remove the cartridge, use the adjustable wrench to loosen the nut that holds it in place. Once the nut is loose, you can pull the cartridge out of the faucet. ### Step 5: Inspect the Cartridge Once you have removed the cartridge, inspect it for damage. If the cartridge is damaged, it will need to be replaced. ### Step 6: Clean the Faucet Body With the cartridge removed, you can now clean the faucet body. Use the rags and bucket to remove any dirt or debris from the faucet body. ### Step 7: Apply Teflon Tape Once the faucet body is clean, you can apply Teflon tape to the threads of the faucet. Teflon tape will help to create a seal and prevent leaks. ### Step 8: Install the New Cartridge If the cartridge was damaged, you will need to install a new one. To do this, simply insert the new cartridge into the faucet body and tighten the nut until it is snug. ### Step 9: Reinstall the Faucet Handle Once the cartridge is installed, you can reinstall the faucet handle. To do this, simply slide the handle onto the faucet body and tighten the screws until they are snug. ### Step 10: Turn the Water Supply Back On Once the faucet handle is reinstalled, you can turn the water supply back on. Check for leaks around the faucet. If there are no leaks, you have successfully repaired your leaky bathtub faucet!

Additional Tips:

- If you are not comfortable working on plumbing fixtures, you can always call a plumber to fix your leaky faucet. - If you are replacing the faucet cartridge, be sure to get the correct size and type of cartridge for your faucet. - If you are unsure about any of the steps involved in repairing your leaky faucet, consult a professional plumber.