How to Repair a Leaky Tub Shower Faucet
There's nothing like listening to the steady dripping of a leaky faucet, not to mention the accumulated waste of water caused by one. Leaky bathtub faucets are relatively common, and can be repaired by do-it-yourselfers with a little homework and a few supplies. In most cases, a leaky faucet is caused by a worn or torn rubber gasket, which is easy to replace for an inexpensive, yet effective--and money-saving--fix. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver or Philips-head screwdriver
- Pliers
- O-rings or gasket rings
- Plumber's tape or putty
- Plumber's seat wrench
Instructions
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Turn off water to the house at the main water supply. Drain water in the pipes by turning on faucets into the "On" position. After water has drained, carefully unscrew the faucet head from the wall-mounted pipe, or unscrew using a pair of tongue-and-groove pliers. In some cases, you may need a monkey wrench if the faucet spout is large or old. Take care not to yank or pull on the faucet, especially in older homes, as you don't want to damage the water pipe or strip the treads.
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2
Unscrew the stem assembly and escutcheon. The stem assembly and escutcheon are what regulate the amount of water that flows through the spout as well as the temperature of the water flow. Remove this assembly with a deep-socket wrench that is designed especially for bathtubs, which looks much like the spark-plug wrench used on cars.
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Replace the worn or torn gasket, seat washer, seal or O-ring found at the head of the stem assembly. The entire stem assembly usually unscrews in one part, held in place by a seat washer screw that is visible on the head of the assembly. In most cases, replacing this gasket or seal will solve the leaking problem. If you have a cold and hot water knob, replace both at the same time.
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Reattach the stem assembly to the pipe assembly. Wrap threads with plumber's tape or putty and tighten firmly. Replace the faucet spout and hand tighten. Turn the water source back on and watch for drips. Turn the water on and off a few times and make sure there are no leaks. If you still have leaks, tighten the screws, but do not strip them.
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