10% of U.S. households have leaks that waste over 90 gallons of water a day. For example, it’s not uncommon for water to leak from pipes and other plumbing fixtures.
Not only will it drive up your utility bill, but it can also lead to mold growth. That’s not all, it can also damage the floors, walls, as well as the foundation.
Are you having issues with your bathtub faucet? Not sure what to do?
If so, you’re at the right place. We’ll be going over how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet below. Keep reading to learn more!
Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply
Start by shutting off the water supply to the bathroom. The shutoff valve is typically located under the sink or in the basement of the house. Simply turn it clockwise; that’ll restrict the flow of water.
Once you’ve done that, turn the handle to the ‘on’ position. That’ll allow any remaining water from the pipes to drain into the bathtub.
Next, remove the faucet handle. To do that, take off the decorative cap. From there, use a screwdriver to loosen the screws in the center of the handle.
Step 2: Assess the Parts
Use an adjustable wrench to remove the faucet stem and seat. Once they’re out, check the condition of the washer (the small rubber piece at the tip of the stem). If it’s cracked or worn out, a leak can occur.
To replace the washer, loosen the screw that’s holding it together with a socket wrench. From there, you can replace the old washer with a new one.
If the faucet is still leaking after replacing the washer, you may need to replace the stem. Loosen the bolts with an adjustable wrench so that you can take it out and put in a new one with new bolts.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to replace the entire spout. Depending on the type you have, you may want to use a digital caliper for measuring (this guide has more information).
Step 3: Replace the Handle
Slowly reconnect the stem (make sure to tighten it with a wrench beforehand). Next, screw in the stop tube. Once it’s tight, align the cover plate with the screw holes.
Tighten the screws with a screwdriver and slide in the faucet handle. From there, put on the handle cap.
Finally, turn the water supply back on. You want to double-check that the leak is gone by running water from the bathtub faucet.
Know How to Fix a Leaky Bathtub Faucet
And there you have it—a guide on how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet. If anything, you just need to gather the essential tools. Why pay for house repair when you can do it yourself, right?
Did you find this guide helpful? Looking for more home repair tips? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more articles!
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