How to Replace a Bathtub Face Plate

A bathtub face plate occupies a position just under the tub spout.

A bathtub face plate is the round, metal part that is secured to the side of the tub under the tub spout. The face plate provides the water with access to the overflow drain if it reaches that level. This mitigates the potential of an overflow by an unattended bathtub that is in the process of filling. The face plate may also provide the lever that operates the bathtub stopper. You can replace a bathtub face plate in less than 10 minutes using a common household tool.

Things You'll Need

• Standard screwdriver

Instructions

1. Locate the screws that secure the face plate to the tub. There is one screw on each side of the face plate.

2. Detach both screws by turning them counterclockwise with a standard screwdriver. Remove the screws completely from the holes in the tub. Remove the face plate. If the face plate includes the lever that operates the tub stopper, the stopper mechanism will pull out of the drain when you remove the face plate. You should have purchased a new face plate with the mechanism attached.

3. Set the new face plate in the same location that the old one occupied. Align the screw holes in the face plate with the holes in the tub. If the face plate has the stopper mechanism attached, drop the mechanism into the overflow as you set the face plate in place.

4. Hand-tighten both screws through the holes in the face plate and into the holes in the tub to ensure that they do not cross-thread. Turn the screws clockwise to tighten them as much as you can by hand. Tighten the screws completely using the screwdriver.