How To Stop Water Dripping From Bathtub Faucet

How to ready a leaky bathtub faucet without a professional

A leaky faucet in a bathroom representing how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Always wondered how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet? Non only is a leaky faucet annoying, it can add to your water bill if information technology goes ignored. Information technology's one of those problems we don't remember nosotros're capable of facing without a professional plumber, a bit similar bleeding a radiator. Merely the truth is yous tin can repair a leaky faucet yourself, apace and easily.

Yous should repair a leaky faucet every bit soon as y'all can for sustainable reasons too — remember near it, if you lot've got a faucet which regularly drips 24 hours a mean solar day, over a year it could waste material hundreds of liters of h2o.

Check out how to clean a garbage disposal
Here's 7 bathroom items you should throw out correct at present

Fixing takes a thing of minutes with a few household tools, and so there's no reason non to practise it. Hither'due south how to gear up a leaky faucet.

How to prepare a leaky bathtub faucet

What you will need

Screwdriver

Adjustable wrench

New washer (potentially)

i. Before you start, it'south worth mentioning that nearly leaky faucets are caused by damaged washers, then you may want to accept a replacement ready if this is the case.

ii. Starting time, shut off your h2o supply. You're going to be removing some components and the last thing you desire is water damage. Your water supply valve tin can commonly be found in the basement or clamber space of your house. Some will also be located exterior.

A water valve being turned off — (Paradigm credit: Shutterstock)

3. Once that's off, turn on your faucet to drain any residual water before y'all prepare the leak.

iv. Once you've washed this, you're going to want to reach the stem or cartridge, which will either be behind the faucet itself, or behind the handle plate on the wall, depending on your faucet blazon. Refer to your transmission if you lot're unsure.

5. To reach the stem or cartridge, you're going to need to remove your faucet handle. The best method to do this will depend on your type of faucet. If your handle is attached to the faucet, you may observe a minor spiral under the handle which holds information technology in identify — you tin can use a screwdriver to remove the screw and release the handle. If your handle is attached to the wall with a cap, y'all should exist able to remove the cap first by only twisting information technology off.

A dismantled faucet — (Paradigm credit: Shutterstock)

6. Adjacent, yous need to either have the faucet abroad from the wall, or remove the handle plate completely. Either should exist possible by removing some boosted screws which should now be visible using a screwdriver.

7. Once y'all've unscrewed these, be prepared for the faucet or handle plate to come away. Some might demand a slight tug as the casing can fuse to the wall from limescale and corrosion. Don't force it equally this can suspension information technology. Instead, attempt warming it by running hot water over it first, and then attempt again.

8. Keep the screws safety with the handle and faucet, so you don't lose them.

9. If y'all have a escutcheon, which looks similar a keyhole cover on your wall, that volition demand removing too. Some will need to be unscrewed, while others should twist off.

10. Now, y'all should be looking at the internal stem or cartridge. Remove this using an adjustable wrench and take a skilful expect over it for wear or damage.

A broken washer next to a stem from a faucet — (Paradigm credit: Shutterstock)

11. You should spot a pocket-sized rubber band on the top of the stem, which is the washer. If this looks worn or cracked, it's likely what'south causing the leak. Replace this with a new i later on unscrewing the washer screw, then reassemble the faucet. If you tin't run across a washer, then you demand to replace the cartridge instead.

12. If this doesn't terminate the leak, your stalk or handle could need replacing — check these too for damage and order a uniform part if necessary.

13. Once everything is back in identify, switch your water back on.

If this doesn't solve the trouble, then it'due south fourth dimension to call in a professional. Just, hopefully this has put a stop to your leaky faucet.

What causes a leaky faucet?

Almost leaky faucets are acquired past a worn washer. The washer is essentially pushed against the valve every time the water is turned on and off. This will slowly wear it down, until information technology hardens, cracks and causes a leak. However, leaks can also be caused by a faulty stem or cartridge, or past a rusty handle. Be prepared that at to the lowest degree 1 of these parts may need replacing.

Katie looks subsequently everything homes-related, from kitchen appliances to gardening tools. She as well covers smart dwelling house products too, so is the best point of contact for any household communication! She has tested and reviewed kitchen appliances for over 6 years, so she knows what to look for when finding the best. Her favorite thing to test has to exist stand up mixers as she loves to bake in her spare time.