How to Fix a Leaking Bathtub Faucet

How to Fix a Leaking Two-Handle Bathtub Faucet

1. Identify the Leaking Faucet

   With your hand, feel the leaking water. If the water is hot or warm, the leak is isolated with the hot faucet. If the water is cold, the leak is on the right side.

   If the leak is very slow, you may not be able to differentiate between a hot or cold leak. So, you may need to fix both faucets.
   

2. Shut Off the Water

   Find the home's main water shut-off valve and turn it completely off. In the bathroom, open the bathtub faucets to relieve water pressure and let water drain out.

   Place a towel over the drain to prevent small items from falling down the drain.

3. Remove the Cap on the Handle

   Use a small flathead screwdriver or a butter knife to pry off the plastic or metal cap that covers the faucet handle screw. Lay the cap aside.

4. Remove the Handle

   With the Phillips head screwdriver, remove the screw inside the faucet handle. With the screw completely loosened, pull the handle straight out to remove it. The screw might still be inside the handle, but it will come out when you remove the handle.

5. Remove the Escutcheon

   Remove the escutcheon. You may be able to do this by hand, simply by pulling the escutcheon straight out or unscrewing it. Or you may need to remove a small set screw on the side of the escutcheon with a Phillips head screwdriver.

   What Is an Escutcheon?

   A plumbing escutcheon is a decorative metal or plastic trim piece that covers pipe openings.

6. Remove the Stem Assembly

   Use the adjustable wrench to unscrew the brass nut that holds the stem assembly in place. Once the nut has been removed, pull the stem assembly out.

7. Remove the Rubber Washer

   Look at the back of the stem assembly. With the Phillips head screwdriver, unscrew the set screw that holds the rubber washer in place. Discard the washer.

8. Replace the Rubber Washer

   Clean the back of the stem assembly with a rag. Fit the replacement rubber washer into the assembly. Use a new screw if one is included with the kit. If not, clean off the old screw and re-insert it.

9. Inspect the Faucet Seat

   With a flashlight, inspect the brass faucet seat for damage. This conical-shaped part should not be nicked, corroded, or worn away. If it is, it must be replaced.

10. Replace the Faucet Seat

    With the seat wrench, unscrew the faucet seat and remove it. Fit the replacement faucet seat on the seat wrench and screw it into place. Be careful not to drop either the old or new seat in the wall behind the shower.

11. Reassemble Bathtub Faucet

    Reassemble the bathroom faucet. Fit the stem assembly back in place, securing it with the brass nut. Replace the escutcheon. Slide the faucet handle back onto the stem. Screw the faucet into place. Finish by snapping the cap cover into place.

    Turn the faucet off. Turn on the water main. Test the faucet for leaks by turning it on for a few seconds, then shutting it off.

How to Fix a Leaking Single-Handle Bathtub Faucet

1. Shut Off the Water

   Locate the home's main water shut-off valve. Turn the handle clockwise or the knife-style handle rightward to shut down the water to the house, including the bathtub.

   In the bathroom, open the bathtub faucet to release the remaining water. Cover the drain to prevent items from falling into the drain.

2. Remove the Faucet Handle

   To remove a round plastic single-handle faucet, you may need to first pop off a plastic cover in order to access the screw. Do this by prying the cover off with a flathead screwdriver. Pull the handle off.

   Single-handle faucets that are lever-shaped instead of round usually have a recessed Allen screw near the base of the lever. Use the Allen wrench set to unscrew and remove the screw. Slide the handle off.

3. Remove the Escutcheon

   Remove the escutcheon (the large, round trim plate) by unscrewing the set screws with the Phillips head screwdriver.

   Tip

   The hole in the bathtub/shower surround should be several inches in diameter: large enough to allow you to remove the valve cartridge. If not, you'll need to cut away the surround with an oscillating multi-tool or hacksaw to gain access. Do not cut the hole larger than the diameter of the escutcheon plate.

4. Remove the Retainer Clip

   With the needle-nose pliers, grip the top of the U-shaped wire retainer clip and lift it straight up to remove it. Be careful not to drop the clip behind the shower wall.

5. Remove the Cartridge

   Take note of the position of the cartridge. With the needle-nose pliers or regular pliers, grasp the end of the cartridge and pull it straight out. If the cartridge is difficult to move, use a cartridge puller tool.

6. Install the New Cartridge

   By hand, push the new cartridge into place in the same position as the previous cartridge. Replace the retainer clip.

7. Check for Leaks

   Slowly turn on the main water valve. Check the faucet area for leaks. Use the flashlight to look behind the surround wall as leaks may originate back there, too.

8. Reassemble the Faucet

   Screw the faucet escutcheon back into place. Replace the faucet handle.

3 Quick Solutions That Quiet a Leaking Bathtub Faucet

The best solution is always to fix the leaking bathtub faucet. But at 3 am, you won't be fixing anything—you just need to stop the plinking sound. What can you do quickly?

• Soap: Stop up the bathtub drain and fill the tub with several inches of water. Squirt in a generous amount of dish soap and gently mix it in. Researchers have found that changing the surface tension of a water surface stops the sound of water dripping.
• Sock: Secure a long sock or bathrobe tie to the faucet to create a pathway for the water to slowly descend to the drain.
• Sponge: A sponge or towel under the bathtub faucet will deaden the sound. You'll still hear the dripping but it will be quieter.

When to Call a Professional

Call a plumber to replace the entire faucet assembly if the repairs do not stop the leaking faucet. You may also want to call a plumber if access to the single-handle valve cartridge is hampered by the surround wall.