How to Fix a Leaky Bathtub Faucet With Copper Piping
A common household problem is a leaky bathtub faucet. A leaky faucet can lead to water stains in your bathtub, and can waste water or cause water damage to the wallboard and tile in the area around the leak, leading to the growth of mold and mildew. If the leaks are caused by damage to the copper pipes that feed into the bathtub, the pipes will have to be repaired or possibly replaced, depending on how bad the damage is. Fortunately, the cause of a leaky faucet is usually a washer or cartridge inside the faucet handle, which is a simple repair. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Turn off the water supply leading to the bathtub. The shut off is usually located in a panel on the other side of the wall behind the faucet, but if there's not a shutoff valve located near the bathtub use the main valve that comes into your house. Turn the faucet on to drain any water from the faucet.
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Cover the drain with a rag to prevent any screws from falling down the drain.
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3
Pry the plastic cap off the handle with a screwdriver or utility knife.
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4
Unscrew the handle screw and remove the handle from the faucet. The handle screw is the screw located in the middle of the handle.
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Remove the retaining clip that holds the cartridge in place with a screwdriver or needle-nose pliers.
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Pull the washer off the handle.
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Grab the stem of the cartridge with a pair of pliers. Twist it loose and lift it out of the faucet.
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Install the new cartridge.
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Reassemble the faucet by reversing the steps you took to disassemble it.
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10
Turn the water supply to the bathtub back on. Turn the bathtub faucet on and check for leaks.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
