Replace Faucet Stem Bathtub

How to Replace a Bathtub Faucet Stem: A Comprehensive Guide

A leaky bathtub faucet can be a nuisance, not to mention a waste of water. If the leak is coming from the stem, you can usually fix it by replacing the stem washer. This is a relatively easy repair that you can do yourself with a few basic tools. ### Step 1: Gather Your Tools and Materials Before you start, you'll need to gather the following tools and materials: - Adjustable wrench - Phillips head screwdriver - Flat head screwdriver - Pliers - Replacement faucet stem - Faucet stem washer - Teflon tape - Plumber's putty ### Step 2: Turn Off the Water Supply Once you have your tools and materials, the first step is to turn off the water supply to the bathtub. This is usually done by turning the valve located under the sink or behind the toilet. If you can't find the valve, you can also turn off the main water supply to your house. ### Step 3: Remove the Faucet Handle Next, you'll need to remove the faucet handle. This is usually done by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place. Once the screws are removed, you can pull the handle off of the stem. ### Step 4: Remove the Packing Nut Once the handle is removed, you'll need to remove the packing nut. This is the nut that holds the stem in place. To remove the packing nut, use the adjustable wrench to loosen it. Once the packing nut is loose, you can remove it by hand. ### Step 5: Remove the Faucet Stem Once the packing nut is removed, you can remove the faucet stem. To do this, use the pliers to grasp the stem and pull it out of the faucet body. ### Step 6: Replace the Faucet Stem Washer The next step is to replace the faucet stem washer. To do this, simply remove the old washer from the stem and replace it with the new washer. Make sure that the new washer is the same size and shape as the old washer. ### Step 7: Reinstall the Faucet Stem Once the new washer is in place, you can reinstall the faucet stem. To do this, simply insert the stem into the faucet body and tighten the packing nut. Be sure to tighten the packing nut until it is snug, but do not overtighten it. ### Step 8: Reinstall the Faucet Handle Once the stem is reinstalled, you can reinstall the faucet handle. To do this, simply insert the handle into the stem and tighten the screws. ### Step 9: Turn on the Water Supply Once the faucet handle is reinstalled, you can turn on the water supply. Check for leaks around the stem. If there are any leaks, tighten the packing nut until the leak stops. ### Step 10: Apply Plumber's Putty Finally, apply a bead of plumber's putty around the base of the faucet. This will help to seal the faucet and prevent leaks. ### Additional Tips - If the faucet stem is corroded, you may need to replace the entire faucet. - If you are having difficulty removing the packing nut, you can use a penetrating oil to loosen it. - Be careful not to overtighten the packing nut. This could damage the faucet. - If you are not comfortable working with plumbing, you can call a plumber to replace the faucet stem for you.