After a long, hard day at work, at the gym, in the garden or wherever else you spent your time getting sweaty, dirty or sore, taking a nice soak in the bath can be the best way to relax and get clean, and one of the last things you want to deal with is a leaky faucet. Whether you notice the dripping as you enter the bathroom or when the incessant dipping just won’t stop after your tub is filled with hot water, it’s an issue you need to address in the near future.
What Causes a Tub Faucet to Leak?
Bathtub faucets can leak for several reasons. The most common cause is a worn or damaged valve stem. However, several issues can lead to a leaking faucet, including damage to the handle, faucet or pipes.
Sometimes, these issues are easy to spot. For example, if water drips from the tap when it’s shut off, the issue is most likely with the valve stem. If the drip comes from somewhere else, however, you might need to do more troubleshooting.
What Problems Can a Dripping Faucet Cause?
A dripping faucet can cause many issues, the most obvious being an increased water bill. However, if you have a tub that drips, it’s important to fix it promptly. This is particularly true if you hear a drip but can’t tell where it’s coming from. A small leak might not seem like a big issue, but it can lead to some serious and costly issues, including:
- Potential damage to your flooring or walls
- Rising damp
- Growth of mold and mildew
Don’t ignore a dripping faucet even if the drip is contained by your bathtub. Those small drips can mount up to a lot of wasted water over time.
How to Fix a Dripping Bathtub Faucet
If the issue is simply a worn out O-ring around the valve stem, you may be able to fix it yourself. Before you roll up your sleeves to get to work, make sure you shut off the water to your bath. Once that’s been handled, it’s time to start working.
Supplies You’ll Need:
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
- Replacement O-ring
- Silicone grease
How To Replace The O-Ring:
- Unscrew the faucet handle and remove it.
- Unscrew the escutcheon plate and remove it from around the faucet.
- Loosen the bonnet nut inside the housing that’s holding the faucet stem in place.
- Take your pliers, take hold of the valve stem and pull it out of the faucet housing.
- Take out the O-ring currently in place on the valve stem.
- Coat your new O-ring with a little bit of silicone grease before sliding it down around the valve stem.
- Slide the valve stem back inside the faucet housing and tighten the bonnet nut back up to reassemble your faucet.
- Reattach the handle and escutcheon plate.
When to Call a Professional
If this doesn’t solve your problem, call a professional plumber for advice. At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, our team of professionals is ready to provide the assistance you need with your shower leak repair. Find your nearest bluefrog Plumbing + Drain location using our state/zip locator or give us a call at 1-844-HOP-TO-IT to set up your free home consultation today.
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