How to Remove the Handle From a Leaky Bathtub Faucet

There are many different types of bathroom faucets on the market. The handles are usually screwed on and can be removed with ease. With the help of a few tools and a few minutes, you can remove the handle from a leaky bathroom faucet.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flathead screwdriver or putty knife
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Eye protection

1. Locate the water valves. They're on the sides of the water heater, which is usually in the basement.

2. Turn off the hot and cold water valves by turning the spigots on the water heater.

3. Run hot and cold water in the bathroom sink to relieve the water pressure. Let it flow until it dries up.

4. Locate the cap in front of each faucet handle. If your handles have an H or C for hot and cold, the caps may be under the letters.

5. Take a flathead screwdriver or putty knife and shimmy the end of it under the cap. Pry the cap off.

6. Find the screw inside. Use the Phillips head screwdriver to unscrew it. Remove the bathroom faucet handles.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply Liquid Wrench to the screw if it's corroded inside the bathroom faucet handle.
• If Liquid Wrench doesn't work, buy a screw extractor. Add the bit to your drill and make a hole in the middle of the screw. Pull the screw out.

Resources

• Tips on working on your bathroom plumbing
• Advice from Bob Vila
• Click here for information on fixing leaky faucets.