Replace bathtub faucet – There’s probably an ugly bathtub faucet somewhere around your house or an old bath faucet that’s leaking and doesn’t work anymore, or maybe your bathtub faucet is no longer diverting water to the shower head. Well, good news: replacing a bathtub faucet is not as difficult as it seems, but it’s important to pick the right faucet and change it properly.
Don’t worry, the benefits of a new faucet outweigh your doubts, and here is what you need to do to install a new bathtub faucet by yourself.
The first method: replace the bathtub faucet stems
1. Turn off the faucet’s water supply: this is the first step of any plumbing project you might do around the house. Also, have a bucket and some rags at hand in case you need to clean a mess.
2. Assess what type of faucet stems you have:The faucet stems are the faucet parts that control the water’s flow. The stems can either be washer-type or washerless. While changing these different types of faucets is a very similar process, you will need to identify the category.
- Washer-type faucets have two or three handles. The two handles control the hot and cold temperatures, while a third handle divert water between the shower head and the tub
- Washerless faucets only have one handle above a metal plate. The handle controls the mixing of cold and hot temperatures.
3.Turn the handle and drain as much water as you can: if you’re dealing with a washer-type faucet, you’ll need to open both handles until there’s no water pressure left.
4. Unscrew the handles’ screws: some handles have a decorative cover that conceals the screws underneath. If such is the case, pop off the cover with a flat-head screwdriver
5. Expose the valve: once you put the handle away you’ll see the mechanism behind it. The valve mechanism varies according to the brand and model of the faucet.
6. Unscrew the whole stem from pipes: now you should disconnect the entire stem from the bathtub’s water pipes. Remove the stem out of the faucet with caution.
- You may want to pay attention to this step because the exposed pipe may have a female (interior threads) and male (exterior threads) connection. It’s an important bit of information you’ll need when you buy the replacement.
- If you can’t figure out how to remove the stem, you’ll need to consult a professional. Damaging pipes inside your home’s walls will cost you a whole lot of money while a plumber will replace the faucet with minimal issues and the right tools.
7. Evaluate the conditions of the stem:the mechanisms inside a stem can fail, but leaks inside the stem are often caused by worn-out If such is the case, just replace the washers and keep your faucet. It’s cheaper, easier, and saves you from replacing the entire system.
8. Take the faucet to a hardware retailer and use it as a reference when buying a new one: the new faucet must have the same measurements as the one you just screw out of the wall.
9. Go home with your new faucet: wrap the threads on the bathtub pipe and the faucet with Teflon tape to prevent further leakage.
- If the faucet does not look like it can attach easily to the pipes, you can always return it to the store and try another one. It’ll be easier to get a new faucet more similar to the old one than force your way into your plumbing.
10.Use your hands to rotate the faucet and screw it onto the wall: you’ll tighten the connection with your hands until the faucet is attached to the pipe in the right position to turn the water supply “off” and “on.”
11. Screw the handle on the stem: you must screw the handle in the same position as it was before you removed it, so be sure to reattach the handles in the same position.
12. Try it out: it’s time to turn the wáter on and check if there are any leaks. If you see a leak, check if the connection points are tight enough.
The second method: replacing the bathtub faucet spout
1. Turn off the bathtub faucet’s wáter supply: as stated before, this is the first step to any plumbing. You’ll also need to bring a bucket and rags in case you need to clean water.
2. Remove the bathtub spout: the spout is on the wall and there are several ways you can unplug it, depending on how it was installed.There are several different ways the spout could be connected, depending on how it is internally connected to the plumbing.
- See if there are any screws at the top or bottom of the spout. Screws indicate you have a slip-on spout, a type that slips up easily after you remove the screws.
- If there are no screws, you’re probably dealing with a screw-on site You’ll have to rotate the piece counterclockwise and hold it firmly with a wrench while doing so.
3. Check the conditions of the pipe coming from the wall: if it looks in good shape, without rusting or cracks, you won’t need to replace it. Do measure how far it comes out of the wall because it will help you buy the replacement.
4. Take the old spout to the hardware store and find the replacement: make sure whatever you buy will fit your existing plumbing and buy whatever may fit between your old pipes and your new spout.
- Spouts come in two basic kinds: the diverter directs water to the shower head; while the other kind of spouts doesn’t have a diverter.
6. Install the new spout: just follow the directions on the box and make sure the connections and sealed and secure.Follow the manufacturer’s directions, making sure that your connections are secure and sealed well.
7. Try it out: the last step is the same. Turn the water back on and check for any leaks. If there are leaks it means the connections are not tight enough.
Repairing the faucet handle of the bathtub
You will need to immediately fix any dripping from the bathtub faucet handle so no accumulation of moisture occurs in your bathroom because it might cause mildew and mold.
Repairing a bathtub faucet is knowledge everyone should have. You don’t need a plumber for the job, just follow these steps and use the proper tools to do it yourself.
1 – Water
The first thing you’ll need to do is make sure there’s no water flowing through the pipes. Turn off all water at your house main controls. Then, open the faucet and drain the water until nothing else comes through.
2 – Faucet
The faucet handle comes with a decorative cover. Remove the cover so you can repair it with a flat-head screwdriver. Slip the tip of the tool under the cover and gently pop it up.
3 – Packing Nut
The valve stem is under the stem, held in place by a packing nut. Remove the packing nut so you can get to the washer with some pliers. As an extra precaution put masking tape around the jaws of the pliers. It will provide you a better grip and prevent any damages to the packaging nut.
Grab the packaging nut between the pliers’ jaws and turn it counter-clockwise until it comes off. Then, place the packaging nut in a safe place, outside the tub.
4 – Valve Stem
You’ll need to remove the valve stem to repair the faucet handle. Hold it with your pliers and gently ease it away from the faucet. Be careful not to damage the stem.
5 – Washer
Once the valve is in your hands you’ll see the washer down bellow held in place by a single screw. Remove the screw and the washer and then buy a new washer of the same size. Install the new piece on the stem and screw it. Be careful not to overtighten the screw
6 – Reassembly
The last step is putting the stem back where it belongs. Make sure to place it in the faucet properly, move it around until the stem is tight. Now, place the packaging nut the valve’s top, but don’t overtighten it. Now, you can put the cover back on the handle
Put the valve stem back in the faucet. Make sure it’s seated properly. Move it around to check on this. Now tighten the packing nut at the top of the valve stem. Again, don’t overtighten it. With this done you can put the cover back in place.
It’s time to turn on the water to see if there are any leaks. If there are, repeat the steps and try another washer. If there aren’t, it means you successfully repaired the faucet handle.
