Change a Bathtub Faucet

Do you have an old bathtub faucet that leaks, doesn't work right, or is just plain ugly? Is your bathtub faucet spout no longer diverting water up to your shower head? Replacing parts of your bathtub faucet can seem daunting, as it's important to pick the right ones and to connect them correctly. However, the benefits of a new faucet should outweigh your hesitance. Follow these steps to install a wonderful new bathtub faucet yourself.

Steps

Replacing Bathtub Faucet Stems

  1. Turn off the water supply to the bathtub faucet. This should always be the first step when taking on any plumbing project in your home.
    • Also have some rags and a bucket handy in case you need to clean up water quickly.
  2. Assess what type of faucet stems you have. The faucet stems are the parts of your faucet that control the flow of water. There are a ton of different styles out there but they all fall into two general categories: washerless or washer-type. While changing out these two different types of faucets is very similar, you will need to know what type you have in order to replace it with the appropriate type.
    • A washerless faucet has a single handle that rests on top of a metal plate. This type of faucet controls the mixing of hot and cold with one handle.
    • A washer-type faucet usually has two or three handles. With this type of stem, you have to adjust the mix of hot and cold with two separate handles. If you have a third handle, it is usually to divert water between the tub and a shower head.
  3. Open the faucet and drain as much water as possible. If changing out a washer-type faucet, open up both the hot and cold water handles to make sure neither has any water pressure.
  4. Unscrew the screws that attach the handles. Some handles will have a decorative cover, concealing the screws underneath. If so, gently pop off the decorative cover with a flat-head screwdriver.
  5. Pull the handle away from the wall to expose the valve. The mechanism behind the handle will vary quite a bit, depending on model and maker of the faucet.[1]
  6. Unscrew the entire stem from the bathroom pipes. The entire stem should disconnect from the water pipes. Use caution when removing the stem of the faucet.
    • Pay attention to whether the exposed pipe has a “male” (exterior threads) or “female” (interior threads) connection. This will be important when buying the replacement.
    • If you cannot easily figure out how to remove it, you may want to consult a professional. Damaging the pipes inside the wall when removing the stem could cost you a lot more in the end than hiring a plumber to replace your faucet in the first place. Not to mention that they have the right tools for the job![2]
  7. Assess the condition of your faucet stems. While the mechanism inside the stems can fail, leaks at the stem are usually caused by worn washers. If this is the case with yours, consider simply replacing the washers and keeping your faucet. It is much easier, cheaper, and less wasteful to replace the washers instead of the whole faucet.
  8. Take the whole faucet to a hardware store and use it as a point of reference to help pick a new faucet. This new faucet should have the same measurements as your old faucet so that it can easily screw into the wall.
    • Make sure that the valves on the faucet have a connection that will screw onto either the male or female bathtub pipe connection. If the connection is “male-male,” for instance, then you will need to purchase an adapter.
  9. Return home with the new faucet. Wrap the exposed threads on either the faucet or the bathtub pipe with Teflon tape to prevent leakage.
    • If your new faucet does not look like it will attach easily to your pipes, don't be afraid to return it and try another. It will be easier to get a new faucet in the style of the old one than to alter your plumbing.
  10. Screw the new faucet onto the pipe using your hands to rotate the faucet. Tighten the connection by hand until the faucet is tightly attached to the pipe and in the right position to turn “on” and “off” the water supply.
  11. Screw the handle back onto the stem. Remember the position they were in before you removed them and be sure to reattach them in that same position.
  12. Turn back on the water and test to see if the faucet works without leaking. If you have a leak, check that the connection points you just made are tight enough.

Replacing a Bathtub Faucet Spout

  1. Turn off the water supply to the bathtub faucet. This should always be the first step when taking on any plumbing project in your home.
    • Also have some rags and a bucket handy in case you need to clean up water quickly.
  2. Remove your bathtub spout from the wall. There are several different ways the spout could be connected, depending on how it is internally connected to the plumbing.
    • Look for set screws on the top or bottom of the spout.[3] This will indicate that you have a slip-on spout. This type will slip off easily once the set screw is removed.
    • If your spout doesn't have a set screw, then it is probably a screw-on style spout. Rotate the spout counterclockwise, being cautious and gentle but holding onto it firmly with a wrench if need be.
  3. Inspect the condition of the pipe protruding from the wall. If it looks to be in good shape, with no rusting or cracks, then it does not need to be replaced. Measure how far it comes out of the wall. This will help you when buying your replacement faucet spout.
  4. Bring your old spout to the hardware store to help you find a suitable replacement. Make sure that whatever you buy will fit onto your existing plumbing or buy whatever fittings will make a new secure connection between your old plumbing and your new spout.
    • There are two basic kinds of spouts, one's with diverters and ones without.[4] The diverter directs water to a shower head, instead of out the lower spout. If your old spout had a diverter, be sure that the one you buy has one as well.
  5. Install your new spout. Follow the manufacturer's directions, making sure that your connections are secure and sealed well.
  6. Turn back on the water and test to see if the spout works without leaking. If you have a leak, check that the connection points you just made are tight enough and try it out again.



Tips

  • If the faucet is leaky but still in good shape otherwise, then try removing the faucet and replacing only the washers and seals instead of replacing the entire faucet. Take the valve stems to a home goods or plumbing supply store to find washers and seals that are the correct size.
  • Do not buy a new faucet before removing the old one. You need to see what kind of connections the old faucet utilizes before buying a replacement.
  • When you purchase a new faucet, make sure it is large enough to cover any openings in your tile or your tub surround.
  • New faucet models have anti-scald protection that will keep both extremely hot and extremely cold water from coming through the spout. Look for this feature if you are tired of getting scalded in the tub.
  • If the diverter that blocks water flow to the tub spout and directs water to the shower spout is attached directly to the faucet, then make sure that the diverter connects properly to either the valve or the pipe, depending on the setup.
  • Keep plenty of towels handy to catch excess water.

Warnings

  • If your new faucet is not equipped with anti-scald technology, then make sure that the temperature of your hot water heater does not go above 120 degrees F (48.9 degrees C).

Things You'll Need

  • Screwdriver
  • New faucet
  • Adapter (if needed)
  • Teflon tape
  • Towels

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ARJpksmNIw
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEDxl0A2pl0
  3. ↑ http://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/faucet-repair/how-to-replace-a-bathtub-spout/step-by-step
  4. ↑ https://www.plumbingsupply.com/info-tubspouts.html
  • Reader’s Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual (2005).
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