Fixing a leaking bathtub faucet is not as exciting as one would imagine. The good news is that it is a simple DIY task that you can manage instead of calling the plumber. Failing to repair a leaking faucet will inflate your water bills and leave stains in the tub. Fixing a leaking faucet will be much cheaper than installing a brand new faucet system. Valves and handles control the flow of water in your faucet, so most faucet problems arise from one of these parts becoming dysfunctional. Follow the simple steps listed below to learn how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet:
1) Disassemble the Faucet
Makes sure you have the new faucet replacement parts before you start disassembling the faucet. You can even obtain functional second-hand parts from a plumbing hardware supplier near you. The tools that you will need in this task are a pocketknife, screwdriver, and washer. You will start by turning off the main water supply so that you can carry on with your repair without messing up the whole place with water. This is the first step to follow when learning how to fix a bathtub faucet.
2) Remove the Handles
Firstly, remove the handle coverings using a pocket knife. Using a screwdriver, remove the handle by loosening the screws that hold the faucet handle. If you find it hard to turn the screw, apply lubricant and wait for a while. The screw should come off easily after you try a second time. The purpose of removing these screws is to enable you to detach the handles from the stems. Disconnecting these two parts is often problematic, and it may require you to use a handle puller. The stems may appear frozen after being exposed. You can rectify this by spraying the stem threads with lubricant.
3) Replace the Washer
The faucet washer is the round flat piece of rubber. It sits at the bottom of the stem to curb water flow through the faucet when you twist off the handle. The old washers and seat washer screws should be replaced with new ones. Make sure the new washers you use are similar to the old ones. The stem threads should be coated with liquid thread sealant before you put them into the faucet openings. A shower stem socket is then used to tighten the stem clockwise. You can now put everything back in place by securing the screws of the faucet handles. Place the handle coverings back to the handles.
4) Turn the Water Back On
After you have followed all the necessary steps to repair the leaky faucet, you can turn on the main water supply and check if it still leaks. If it leaks, it might mean you missed some steps like firmly tightening of screws. Make necessary adjustments, and if the leak persists, you can seek the help of a plumber. It is important to repair your leaking faucets immediately to avoid further damage. A dripping faucet can waste as much as 3000 gallons of water annually.
