How to Fix a Single Handle Bathtub Faucet

A bathtub's single-faucet design uses a single handle to control the flow of both the hot and cold water, as well as the quantify of water that flows through the valve. A single-faucet design typically leaks when the O-ring within the faucet becomes worn or dirty. It is important to repair the faucet as soon as possible, as a leaky faucet can result in a significant increase in the water bill and can even carve a channel in the metal faucet seat if left unattended for a long period of time. Thankfully, repairing a single handle bathtub faucet is relatively easy.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench
• Pliers
• Silicone grease
• O-ring

Instructions

1. Turn off the main water supply at the water meter.

2. Remove the handle's screw by turning the screw with a screwdriver. The handle's screw is located in the center of the handle.

3. Remove the handle by pulling it away from the faucet.

4. Remove the escutcheon plate. The escutcheon plate is the metal piece that sits behind the faucet's handle and rests against the wall. To remove the plate, first remove the screws on the face of the plate with a screwdriver, then pull the plate away from the wall.

5. Remove the bonnet nut that surrounds the faucet by turning the nut with an adjustable wrench until the nut can be pulled away from the faucet.

6. Remove the faucet by grasping the tip of the faucet with a pair of pliers and pulling the faucet away from the wall.

7. Remove the rubber O-ring from the back of the faucet by prying the O-ring away from the faucet with a screwdriver.

8. Apply silicone grease to a new O-ring, then slide the new O-ring onto the tip of the faucet where the old O-ring was removed. There is a groove cut into the faucet into which the O-ring must slide.

9. Insert the faucet into the wall, then install the bonnet nut onto the face of the faucet by turning the nut with an adjustable wrench.

10. Install the escutcheon plate by first placing the plate against the wall, then inserting the plate's retaining screws through the plate and tightening them with a screwdriver.

11. Slide the faucet's handle over the tip of the faucet, then insert the handle's retaining screw through the center of the handle. Tighten the screw with a screwdriver.

12. Turn the main water supply on to complete the repair process.