How to Fix Bathtub Fixtures

Bath tub faucets will leak over time as washers disintegrate.

Bathtub faucets eventually will leak over time. Brown spots on your tub or tile that is coming loose from the wall behind the faucet may be indications that you have a leak. A small leak can waste 15 to 20 gallons of water a day, according to the Danny Lipford Home Improvement website. New handle parts are inexpensive and readily available from a hardware store; doing the repair yourself will save you the cost of a plumber

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Pocket knife
• Stem socket wrench
• Handle puller
• Plumbers' grease
• Stem seat
• Washer

Instructions

1. Remove the cover of the faucet handle using the end of a screwdriver or a small pocket knife to expose the screw underneath. Unscrew the handle screw.

2. Attach a handle puller to the bathtub handle and tighten down the post onto the handle. Wiggle the handle and pull to make it come out. Heat the handle with a hair dryer to loosen the seal if the handle will not come free, says the Family Handyman website.

3. Place a stem socket wrench over the handle socket and turn counter clockwise until the stem comes loose from the tub. Remove the stem from the hole.

4. Replace the stem parts by removing the packing nut form the end of the stem. Twist the stem clockwise and pull it out of the bonnet. Grease the stem threads with plumbers' grease. Unscrew the seat and washer screw at the other end of the stem. Replace both, on both handles. Grease them and reassemble the handles.

References

• Family Handyman: How to Repair a Leaking Tub Faucet
• Danny Lipford: How to Repair a Leaky Bath Faucet
• Service Magic: How do I find and Repair a Bathtub Leak