How To Repair A Leaking Tub Faucet

Step 1: Make sure you have new parts available

You can fix most problems with the replacement parts availabile at hardware stores and home centers.  A plumbing parts distributor will carry a much larger selection and may be able to special order hard to find items.  There are thousands of different faucet replacement parts available, so bring your old parts to the store for a proper match.  If your valve is highly corroded or the finish is wearing off, replace the entire faucet.



Step 2:

Pry off the handle insert

Shut off the water supply to the faucet and open the valves to drain excess water from the system.  Pry off the handle insert with the thin blade of a pocketknife.

Remove the handle screw

Remove the handle screw.  Then wiggle the handle and pull it off.  If the handle doesn't come off, heat it with a hair dryer to free it.  Be careful; if you pull to hard, it'll break.

Pop loose the handle

Turn the handle screw about halfway back into the stem.  Position the handle pullers post against the screw head and press the arms together behind the handle.  Turn the post clockwise until the handle pops loose.  Remove the handle screw and handle.  Then pull off or unscrew the escutcheon plate.

Remove the stem

Slide the bath socket onto the stem bonnet and turn it counterclockwise to break the stem loose.  If it sticks, soak it with penetrating lubricant..  Unscrew and remove the stem.

Use a seat wrench

Press the seat wrench firmly into the center of the seat.  Turn counterclockwise to snap the seat loose and remove it.  If it sticks, soak it with penetrating lubricant.  Coat the threads of the new seat with pipe dope and screw it into the fixture body with the seat wrench.


You can read similar articles online at www.echomeinspection.com/our-blog.html