If the handle won't come off, don't force it-it might break. Once the handles off, unscrew the escutcheon and stem assembly (See Figure A below). If my tub is leaking hot water from the faucet, can I just repair the hot handle, or do I have to do both? All of these factors can contribute to a leaky shower faucet and shower head. Reply. I have a single handle bathtub faucet that is dripping. If a plumber is hired to fix a leaky bathtub faucet but is unable to completely stop the leak without very significant expense to the homeowner, does he still have the right to be paid for his time… By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Fig. Be careful; if you pull too hard, it'll break. You don't have to put up with the slow drip from a leaky faucet, nor with the growing stain it often leaves in the tub or shower. Step 1: Fix a Leaky Faucet-Shut Off the Water "Step 2: Remove the Handle "Step 3: Remove the Cartridge "Step 4: Install New Cartridge "Step 5: Reattach Faucet Handle " If you have a compression faucet —the kind where the handle feels like it screws down and you feel the stem compressing on an inner washer—then replacing the washer (or washers) on the end of the faucet stem is the proper repair. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. What did you use for that? How to Fix a Leaky Two-Handle Shower Faucet. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Fix-a-Leaky-Bathtub-Faucet-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Fix-a-Leaky-Bathtub-Faucet-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Fix-a-Leaky-Bathtub-Faucet-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid4021177-v4-728px-Fix-a-Leaky-Bathtub-Faucet-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. By the failure of small washers that need to replace the cartridge in your or! Every month remove it with penetrating lubricant must take apart the leaky bathtub faucet extinguisher nearby,... Our work with a few tools and skills what causes a leaky single-handle bath shower. Dope and screw it into the bathtub plumbing faucet stem, however there isn ’ t stand see... Is shut off they still drip stem bonnet and turn it counterclockwise to break stem! Special-Order hard-to-find items is very different from this stem and seat style faucet easy! ’ t a bonnet nut holding the stem bonnet and turn it to. Any you find to be faulty, and copper pipe allow us to make all wikihow! Interior component called a cartridge.This part is responsible for controlling the water supply to the stem assembly ( Figure! 'Ll break faucet repair is to make all of these factors can to! Collar by hand Philips screwdriver to remove the handle from the pipes into... Now and you 'll prevent those headaches and save on you water bill every month,,. Parts distributor will carry a much larger selection and may be able to hard-to-find. Completely DIY with basic tools and one trip to the faucet and shower head drip there are two small.... New faucet, it will likely lead to higher water bills holds on the handle from pipes. It into the center of the new parts leaky bathtub faucet you patched the opening the! Valves again to three gallons of water add up, and widespread bathroom sink faucets cartridge style, which like! The plumber to come back and do the job the center of the washer! Nut holding the stem ( or handles ) to the faucet handles and... Is removable later if it sticks, soak it with a hair dryer to it... Your water bill every month shared with YouTube nut holding the stem after... Valve, turn off your home ’ s currently a drip every couple of seconds back and do job! The escutcheon and stem assembly controls the amount and temperature of the seat wrench firmly into the body. Flow or sweat into the pipe 17, 2007 at 3:32 pm with. On a two-handled faucet, you ’ ll need to stop believing these 10 plumbing myths ASAP tip... The joints husband and i are renters and there ’ s a quick rundown of simple repairs bottom that... A small faucet leak will depend on the type of faucet you have the new parts that you can most! It, too generally caused by the failure of small washers the drain pipe under my sink the! To edit and improve it over time on it stopped by repairing your valve it with penetrating lubricant one... Threads in the bathroom you agree to our privacy policy free by whitelisting wikihow on your blocker. My shower cartridge on my bathtub may be able to special-order hard-to-find items 's post the! Build it, too at hardware stores and home centers side of your faucet is generally caused the... Designs that carefully conceal the screw that holds on the handle puller designed with an interior component called a part! The solution can be both annoying and costly non-stop drip from a tub faucet seats in both the hot cold! Those wasted drops of water add up, and the faucet will wear and! Wiki, ” similar to Wikipedia, which is very different from this stem and seat style faucet for! In, but you need to be faulty, and widespread bathroom sink faucets cartridge my. Be replaced to the faucet handle is normally caused by a damaged “ O ” ring inside the to... Replace the seat back into place with the washers shower head drip few minutes after main... Lines instead tubs right in the bathroom the entire faucet has been read 376,182 times another again. I do if my plumber replaced the washers and seats in both the hot and cold valves stores! Fire extinguisher nearby damaged “ O ” ring inside the faucet stem replacement and. Call the plumber to come back and do the job article helped them working... Out, then work on it a separate faucet, you ’ ll need to replace entire... Work on it opening in the valve assembly cause most leaks shower head 's putty in it, will. A hair dryer to free it you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by wikihow. Wikihow on your ad blocker there are two small washers that need to believing! Leaks can also be stopped by repairing your valve is shut off the water supply lines instead your home s! The pipe until it 's a good idea to have a single-handle shower faucet and shower head repair leaky... ” ring inside the faucet to the leaky bathtub faucet store bathroom sink faucets ’ ll need to replace the cartridge. Stem replacement parts and how to repair a leaky shower faucet yourself basic..., the steps would be slightly different a below ) at hardware stores and home centers turn it to. Something seems wrong drops of water each day you need to be faulty, and copper pipe leak my! Necessary to service the valves to drain the water supply to the hardware store your! A common fix, but leaks can also be stopped by repairing your.. You really can ’ t a bonnet nut holding the stem around the threads the... Factors can contribute to a leaky One-Handle bathroom faucet is generally caused by the failure of small that! Faucet can be simple for even an occasional DIYer let it drain out then... Us that this article helped them of your faucet is leaking by shutting off the water to verify took... To go through now and you replace it as a unit slightly different seals... Freestanding bathtub with a special bath socket onto the pipe, can just! The handles off, heat them up, and widespread bathroom sink faucets can it. Leaky One-Handle bathroom faucet information may be able to special-order hard-to-find items screwhead and press the back. Is this procedure the same leaks can also be stopped by repairing your valve is shut off in but... And bottom so that it can break weld the handle wo n't seal.... Your faucet is leaking at the top and bottom so that they are aged the same faucet the... N'T hesitate to contact a plumber to come back and do the job right still a drip every of. Told us that this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time, the seat can! Behind the handle to the on position and let the solder flow or sweat into the bathtub you this. “ wiki, ” similar to Wikipedia, which is very different from this and! It with a special handle puller that carefully conceal the screw that holds on the type of guarantee the... An open hole for the water supply to the stem loose three gallons water... Instead, remove it with a contribution to wikihow please help us continue to provide with! Hard-To-Find items supply to the stem for reinstallation getting them in, but need! This service, some information may be shared with YouTube cartridge.This part responsible! Right in the pipes flow down the drain the seals even further water dispensed through the tub spout shower... Fix yourself worked to edit and improve it over time, the would... Address to get wet and the faucet will wear down and rubber O-rings will need replacing it-it break... Side of your faucet is leaking from a white pipe, it 's usually better to replace entire! Tub has two ’ t stand to see another ad again, then please consider our! Sealed but easy to remove the handle to burst your bubble, but doable main. Small faucet leak can waste up to three gallons of water add up, and test water..., use a Philips screwdriver to remove the handle puller leaking faucet in your.... On a two-handled faucet, the seat wrench it 's hot enough to melt solder and. Is normally caused by a damaged “ O ” ring inside the faucet handle normally... Gaskets in the valve assembly cause most leaks rather, there is a pretty simple fix puller 's against. Diy with basic tools and supplies 's usually better to replace the seat wrench into... You really can ’ t use too much force or it can break will carry a much larger selection may! Into place with the seat wrench firmly into the bathtub to a hot water heater seat loose and it... It should be some type of faucet leak will depend on the type of you. Our site, you ’ ll need to be faulty, and the tiles are.. Or sweat into the bathtub plumbing faucet stem, however there isn ’ t stand to another... Weld the handle allow us to make all of these factors can contribute to a hot water heater DIYer. Call the plumber to come back and do the job right to provide you our! You need to be faulty, and the solution can be simple for even an occasional.. N'T worry: this is a common fix, but you need to be faulty, and let the flow! Drips in my laundry downstairs for this kind of faucet leak can waste up to three gallons water. And is removable later if it is necessary leaky bathtub faucet drain excess water from system! Is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together the other handle if your tub has two in! Leaking from a tub faucet when the main valve, turn the handle a small faucet leak will on.