At least two-thirds of Americans take a shower every day. Daily showers are important for people who have outdoor jobs or who suffer from seasonal allergies.
A shower or bath is also a relaxing way to unwind from a stressful day.
But, when you notice your bathtub faucet leaking, it’s no longer calming. You’re immediately worried about your water bill, unsightly water stains, and maybe even water damage.
Luckily, you can often fix a leaky faucet yourself. Read on to learn how to fix a bathtub faucet on your own and when it’s wise to call a professional.
Turn the Water Off
Before you start repairing the bathtub faucet, you need to turn off the water supply. Otherwise, you’ll have water spraying all over the bathroom as soon as you take off the faucet handle.
You may have shutoff valves near your bathtub plumbing that will look like a circular spigot. If you can’t find it, you can always turn off the water in the entire house. This will likely look like a lever near the water meter in your basement or in your utility room.
Remove the Faucet Handle
The next step is to take off the faucet handle. Even though the water supply is off, there’s still water in the pipes. Turn on the tap and let the water finish draining out.
Use a small screwdriver to remove the cap that covers the faucet. Then you’ll see a screw that holds the faucet handle in place. Loosen this with a screwdriver and take off the handle.
Remove the Faucet Stem Assembly
Next, you’ll need to remove the long tube that supplies water to the tub. Use a wrench to gently loosen this from the wall. Now you’re ready to evaluate the problem.
Check and Replace the Washer
The most common cause for leaks is the washer. These can get brittle over time and water can get through.
Take the old rubber or metal washer off and replace it with a new one from the hardware store. In most cases, this is all you need to do.
Simply reinstall the faucet system. If you’re still noticing problems, you may need to call a plumber. You could have problems with the entire faucet seat which will need to be replaced by a professional.
Bathtub Faucet Leaking Still? We Can Help
If your bathtub faucet leaking problems is causing you frustration, it’s not too tough to repair. All you need to do is turn off the water and replace the washer. If you have any more issues, it’s wise to call in a plumber for help.
If you still having trouble with your leaky faucet, we can help. At Alco Air, we offer HVAC, plumbing, and heating services to East Texas. Contact us today to schedule a service call.
We’ll be happy to get your bathtub up and running again.