Fix a Leaky Bathtub Faucet

Dripping bathtub faucets can increase your water bill every month. Many people attempt to turn the faucet handles tighter and inadvertently shred the seals even further. Although a plumber is needed to fix major problems, you can repair most broken washers, gaskets and seals yourself with a few special tools.

Steps

Dismantling the Faucet

1. Gather the proper tools. You will need a monkey wrench, bath socket wrench or vice grip pliers, a Philips screwdriver, a flat-head screwdriver, a jar gripper, plumber's grease, a rag, Teflon tape and possibly tub caulk. You may also need a hair dryer.
2. Turn off the water intake to your house. You will need access to the pipes for the next hour or so. Tell family members or tenants that they will not have water during this time.
3. Open the hot and cold valves on the bathtub faucet. This will drain any remaining water in the pipes.
4. Remove the faucet handle insert for both the hot and the cold water. Pop the handle insert off with a small pocket knife or flat head screwdriver. The handle insert is the center of the handle and the part that usually says “hot” and “cold.”
5. Insert a Philips head screwdriver into the hole and unscrew the handle from the wall. Over time, handles can corrode and weld the faucet on. Use a hand dryer to heat the handle and loosen it.
   • Don’t use too much force or it can break. Call a plumber if your handle breaks or will not come off.
6. Unscrew the trim and the collar from the wall by hand. The trim is the decorative piece that fits around the outside of the faucet, generally just behind the handle, while the collar is generally a tubular piece that fits around the internal faucet parts. They should unscrew fairly easily. You can use a hair dryer to loosen them as well.
   • Repeat for the other handle if your tub has two.
7. Set the faucet handle inserts, faucet handles, screws, trim and collar parts aside in a small container. You will need to reconnect them in a similar fashion when you are done fixing the faucet.
8. Remove the stem bonnet, which is the packing nut that holds the stem in place. These are sometimes also called “cartridges.” Insert a bath socket wrench and turn it counterclockwise.
   • If you are unable to find a bath socket wrench, you can use a vice grip to hold onto the stem bonnet and loosen it.
9. Insert the seat wrench into the opening where the faucet was. It has an elongated end so that you can stick it deep into the seat and turn it counterclockwise to remove the seat. The seat is the back portion of the faucet that extends into the pipe.

Replacing Parts

1. Identify faulty parts. Look at the parts you have just removed. You must find the part to replace. The best way to ensure you will fix the leak is to fix all the wearable parts on both hot and cold faucet valves.
2. Locate replacement parts. Take your old parts to a hardware store or home center. Since there are thousands of replacement parts available, bringing your old parts with you will ensure you purchase the correct replacements. In some cases, the parts may need to be purchased from a plumbing supplies distributor.
3. Replace parts inside the stem bonnet first. You can replace the washers or the entire stem and bonnet portion of the faucet. Grease each new part with plumber’s grease before screwing it back on.
4. Replace the seat washer. Unscrew the seat washer screw at the back of the seat. Peel off the rubber seat washer. Replace the seat washer screw and the seat washer after greasing them.
   • Screw the seat back into place with the seat wrench. Tighten it with your hand. It should be tightly sealed but easy to remove by hand.
5. Replace the bonnet washer. Remove the bonnet washer from the end of the bonnet. Grease it and replace it on the bonnet.
6. Replace the packing nut. Remove the packing nut in the middle of the stem bonnet. Pry the rubber-packing washer from the nut with a flat-headed screwdriver. Grease the stem threads on the front of the stem and insert it into the bonnet.
7. Replace the packing washer. Grease your new packing washer and place it in front of the greased packing nut.
8. Replace the bonnet. Apply some pipe joint compound to the threads in your bonnet. Insert the bonnet and tighten it with your bath socket wrench or vice grip.
9. Replace the collar, faucet trim, faucet handle, faucet screw and faucet insert. Repeat on the other side to replace parts in the opposite handle.
10. Turn the water back on and test your repair job. If you spring a new leak, you may want to call a plumber.

Tips

• To secure the seat further, wrap a piece of Teflon tape around the threads in the seat before reinstalling it into the pipe. Make sure there is an open hole for the water to go through.
• Although repairing the faucet yourself will save you money compared to hiring a plumber, it can also cost you more if something breaks further. Don't hesitate to contact a plumber if something seems wrong.

Things You'll Need

• Bath socket wrench
• Seat wrench
• Vice grips
• Philips-head screwdriver
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Hair dryer
• Plumber’s grease
• Teflon tape

Related Articles

• Replace a Kitchen or Bathroom Faucet
• Change a Bathtub Faucet
• Fix a Leaky Faucet
• Fix a Dripping Tap

Sources and Citations

• Videos provided by How2Plumb

See also

• Caulk a Bathtub
• Remove a Cast Iron Tub
• Refinish Bathtubs
• Make a Shower Pan
• Remove a Shower Head
• Change the Faucet Hose in a Kitchen Sink
• Recaulk a Bathtub
• Attach a Garden Hose to a Kitchen Faucet
• Fix a Leaky Faucet
• Seal Around a Basin or Bathtub with Silicone

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