How to Fix a Leaky Delta Bathtub Faucet
The simplicity of repairing a Delta bathtub faucet, using its seat and spring design, far outweighs the price of buying and installing a new one. In 2010, the cost of purchasing valves to rebuild a Delta bath faucet was around $10 each. Delta faucets purchased and installed after 2000 offer free parts for life from the manufacturer to the original homeowner. Installing the free parts yourself equals zero cost to you as the homeowner. Fixing your leaky bath faucet should only take an hour from start to finish. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Turn off the water service to the residence at the water meter with a meter key. Open the outside faucet closet to water meter to relieve pressure and lower the water level of the plumbing system.
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2
Remove the hot- and cold-water handles of the bath faucet by loosening the setscrew using a 3/32 hex wrench. The setscrews are located directly under the levers of each handle. Turn each handle facing toward the tub and pull them off their valves.
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3
Loosen each valve's retaining nut located under each handle with pump pliers. Finish removing them by hand.
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4
Take out each faucet valve by grasping the stems with pliers and pulling them straight out.
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5
Replace the Delta seats and springs under each valve with a hex wrench.
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6
Insert a new valve in each faucet port by hand. Line up each valve's guide with the notch in each port and push in.
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7
Start each valve-retaining nut by hand and secure with pliers firmly.
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8
Replace each handle and make sure the valves are installed correctly. If the valve is not positioned with the handles facing the tub, remove the retaining nut, turn the valve 180 degrees and replace the nut.
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9
Tighten each handle's setscrew with the hex wrench. Leave the handles turned on to flush any debris out of the plumbing system when the waters restored.
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10
Turn the water back on at the meter, close the outside faucets, and then turn off the bath faucet in that order. Work the bath faucets on and off several times and check for leaks.
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Tips & Warnings
Turn the water meter on slowly to prevent water hammer and damage to other plumbing fixtures.
Do not over tighten the valve retaining nuts, permanent damage may occur.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Bath Tub image by Ritu Jethani from Fotolia.com
