Causes Of A Leaking Bathtub Faucet

Water dripping in your bathroom not only sounds frustrating, it can also lead to a significant rise in water expenditure. It’s not uncommon for a small faucet leak to waste close to three gallons of water.

If you let this problem go unattended, it will add up, and in a year, you may lose a few hundred dollars from this small issue. 

While there are many different causes of water dripping from a tap, there is some good news too: if you’re capable of fixing other issues in and around your home, you’re well equipped to make this repair as well.

Continue reading to find out the causes and learn how to fix bathtub faucet on your own.

Why Is Your Faucet Leaking?

To be better equipped for learning how to fix bathtub faucet, you first need to be aware of why these leaks happen in the first place.

Here are some common reasons: 

1. Worn-out O-ring

With cartridge faucets (the most common variant which uses a valve to control the water flow to the faucet spout), the frequent cause of leaks is a worn-out or loose O-ring. This small rubber disc holds the handle in place by attaching it to the stem screw.

2. Worn-out cartridge

A bathtub faucet may also leak due to the cartridge itself getting worn out. This happens all the time and generally means you’ll have to replace the entire cartridge. Thankfully, cartridges aren’t that expensive and you can find them in most hardware stores.

3. Corroded valve seat

Take a closer look at where your leak is coming from. If the source is your faucet’s spout, chances are the cause of the leaking water is the valve seat. This part connects the spout and the faucet, and is susceptible to corrosion as the buildup of water sediments can lead to severe corrosion, and consequently, leaks. 

You can avoid this problem altogether by performing regular cleaning of this part. 

4. Worn-out washer

Your faucet has a washer that fits onto your valve seat. However, since these parts are constantly rubbing against each other, the friction will eventually wear out the washer. 

Sometimes, faucet leaks can happen due to previous, might we say botched repairs, where the wrong-sized washer was installed or was inserted incorrectly. 

5. Worn-out seals

Without inlet and outlet seals, your faucet may start letting small amounts of water through. As “luck” would have it, water sediment accumulation can also corrode these seals, similar to valve seats.

6. Loose adjusting ring or packing nut

Your faucet’s stream screw has an adjusting ring and packing nuts that may loosen over time and start leaking small amounts of water from the faucet handle. Still, this may be the easiest fix of all as it only requires tightening the packing nut or the adjusting ring.

7. Water pressure problems

If the water starts dripping only when you move the handle in a particular direction or during the time of the day, something altogether different is to blame. In this case, learning how to fix a bathtub faucet is useless, as it’s most likely a problem with your home’s water pressure - a fairly complex issue requiring a plumber’s expertise.

How To Fix Bathtub Faucet Leak

Now that you’re familiar with common causes, you can follow the following steps to learn how to fix bathtub faucet problems:

1. Shut off the water supply

The first step in fixing anything in your bathroom, including a leaky faucet, is to shut off the water supply to avoid flooding your entire bathroom if you make a mistake. 

You can shut off the water in the bathtub by looking for fixture shutoff valves near the faucet. If you can’t find those you can turn off the main supply of water to your home.

To make sure you’re good to go, turn the faucet on to test if the water is off - a simple precaution that can prevent a potential disaster.

2. Take apart the faucet handles

For most faucets this process is pretty straightforward. Using a flathead screwdriver, remove the caps located on top of the handle which reveals the handle screws. Once you unscrew these, you can simply pull the handles off.

3. Disconnect the cartridge

Removing the handles will reveal the cartridge or the valve stem. The next step is removing this part too. If you have a compression faucet, you can unscrew the valve stem. With a cartridge faucet, simply pull the stem out. 

4. Closely inspect all the parts

Once everything is successfully detached, you should put all the parts on a flat surface in a well-lit room. Carefully inspect all the parts and look for signs of damage. Check if any seals, o-rings, or rubber washers look chewed up or discolored.

5. Replace the worn-out parts

Go to your local hardware store to find all the necessary replacement parts. To make sure you find the right sizes, we recommend bringing the damaged parts of your faucet with you and asking the clerk to find you exact duplicates.

6. Clean the valves

While your faucet is disassembled, you can use the opportunity to clean up any mineral buildup. Pour some white vinegar on the valve seat and let it do its magic. 

After a few minutes, scrub the buildup away from all parts of the faucet.

7. Put everything back together

Once everything is clean and you have all the replacement parts, put the whole faucet back together by repeating the entire process in reverse. Restore the water supply and check if there are any bathtub leaks.

Congratulations - you just learned how to fix bathtub faucet all on your own!

How To Avoid The Entire Problem Altogether

Even though fixing a faucet is relatively easy, leaking can be a sign of a more serious plumbing issue. Naturally, resolving this problem will take considerably longer and will likely require a sizable investment.

To avoid a catastrophe, you should take a proactive approach by scheduling an annual checkup.

Here at Guardian Angel Inspections, we offer residential inspections that cover every nook and cranny of your home, including your plumbing system. Our experienced inspectors know what to look for and will check all sewage installations, along with any water fixtures. That way, you can spot any critical issues early on and fix them before they cause more damage. 

Call us today at 561-512-7854 or fill out our contact form to keep your bathroom (and your home) free from harm.