How To Fix A Dripping Bathtub Faucet (And Bathroom, Kitchen, Shower, Outdoor, Sink Faucets | Detailed Steps)

Are you tired of the annoying sound of a dripping faucet in your home?

Leaking faucets can waste hundreds of gallons of water annually and increase utility bills.

This article will guide you through the steps to fix a dripping bathtub and other faucets in your home, saving you money and water.

From identifying the cause of the leak to replacing faulty parts, this comprehensive guide has got you covered.

Read on to find your answers to repair the leakage of the dripping of any faucet, be it the kitchen, bathtub, or shower and bathroom.

What is the Reason Behind the Leakage of Faucets?

A crack in the stem or the cartridge of a washer, especially a worn-off washer, is one of the most common reasons behind the dripping of your faucet.

It is because every time you turn on or off the water, the washer is pushed against the valve. This repeated action creates friction over time, leading to the wearing off of the washer.

Sometimes even the bathtub faucet’s cartridge itself can be the cause of the leak. This leads to the water flow, and if the cartridge or stem starts to fail, it may also fail to block the stream of water. Another cause behind a dripping faucet is the old and worn-off handles.

How To Fix a Dripping Bathtub Faucet?

If you have a dripping bathtub faucet, you can try the following:

Step 1: The first step should be to halt the water in the bathroom and then turn the shut-off valve clockwise to stop the water flow.

Step 2: Loosen the faucet closely to access the hardware and check the hardware for wear and tear. Now take off the decorative cap and use a screwdriver to loosen the screws in the center of the tap handle.

Step 3: Once the water flow has been stopped, open the handle to the “on” position to allow any remaining water from the pipes to flow into the tub.

Step 4: Then inspect the parts. After removing the handle, check the stem or cartridge and the inside of the handles to determine their condition.

Step 5: Replace the faucet washer if it appears cracked or worn out. If your pipe leaks after changing this piece, you may need to replace the faucet’s stem.

Step 6: Wipe off any rust, wax, or caulk near the base. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the bolts holding them together. If bolts are found on the wall, then use a socket screw to remove them. Remove the stem and insert a new one using new bolts.

Step 7: If the bath faucet is still dripping after installing the handle, washer, and cartridge, you may need to replace the entire bathtub spout.

Step 8: Replace the faucet handle with a new one and turn on the water supply again. Watch if the leak continues.

Step 9: Check the spout of the faucet. A worn valve on the threads of a short pipe might be another reason for the leak. The first step is to remove the faucet spout using a wrench or socket wrench.

Step 10: Now remove the pipe’s nipple with a screw. Wrap the ends of both nipples with plumber tape or Teflon tape and then insert the nipple into the 90-degree elbow pipe inside the wall. Turn the nipple clockwise until it is firm. Re-attach the faucet spout and turn on the water to remove any debris.

How To Fix a Dripping Bathroom Faucet?

If your bathroom faucet is leaking, you can follow the following steps to fix it:

Step 1: Finding The Leak: Close the water supply valve to determine which valve leaks. It is beneath the sink. If the leak stops, the problem is the cold-water tap. If the leak does not stop, turn on the cold again and turn off the heat. So, if the leak stops now, the problem must be the hot water valve. If not, then that means both valves need to be repaired.

Step 2: Removing Faucet Handle: Shut the water on the supply valves and turn on the faucet valves. Use a small blade screwdriver to remove the decorative cap from the faucet’s handle.

Step 3: Removing The Handle: Remove the screw. It connects the handle and the cartridge. Do this to uninstall the handle.

Step 4: Take The Nut Out: Now, use the adjustable screw to remove the nut holding the cartridge downwards.

Step 5: Remove the Cartridge: It does not matter if the cartridge you have is an old-style (copper) or a new one (plastic); the sequence of dismantling your tap will be precisely the same. Pulling a cartridge usually does not require tools.

Step 7: Removing The Seal: Take the seal out and then the springs to obtain a plastic one, and then use a set of nails or a similar tool to remove the spring. Then remove the seal. For a copper cartridge, you would have to employ an Allen wrench.

Step 8: Reconnect The Faucet: Swap parts that come with your repair kit, and then reverse the steps above but just remember and make sure that the raised area on top of the plastic cartridge faces your spout.

How To Fix a Dripping Kitchen Faucet?

To control water leaks in your kitchen sink, you require equipment.

Step 1: After you procure the right equipment, turn the water off. Close the sink’s drain holes to ensure tiny pieces do not fall off accidentally.

Step 2: Uninstall the building Faucet. You will need to bring apart the leaking faucet. Be very cautious when you do this.

Step 3: Inspect and Repair Damaged Parts. Now lay out the pieces and examine them. Look for anything that does not look like it belongs there. Check if the O-ring seal is damaged, as this is a common reason kitchen taps leak from the spout.

Step 4: You can use vinegar to clean the grit. However, ensure that it is warm. The next step is to replace the defective parts with your hardware store. Knowing the sink type and model would make finding the right stuff to replace it easily.

Step 5: Now, start the reassembling. As you assemble your faucet, use the wrench to ensure all the parts are tight. When everything is ready, turn on the water again.

How To Fix a Dripping Shower Faucet?

If you are repairing the shower faucet, do the following

Step 1: Halt the supply of water and then let the faucet drain.

Step 2: Now, if there is a cover cap over the handle, remove it. Then, drag the handle and faceplate.

Step 3: Remove the locking clip above the valve, if any, and remove and replace the shower cartridge.

Step 4: Finally, assemble the faucet and check for leaks.

How To Fix Dripping Outdoor Faucet?

It is very annoying when outdoor faucets drip. However, you can follow the steps below to fix them:

Step 1: Examine The Nut: First, tighten the packing nut below the handle to restore the faucet from dripping. Slightly tighten the handle clockwise direction using an adjustable wrench. Tightening the packing nut is the first step in mending the outdoor faucet. If it is still leaking, you need to change the rubber washer of the faucet. Before altering, make sure that the supply of water turns off.

Step 2: Shut Off the Water: To turn off the water, bend your water shut-off valve from clockwise to horizontal. Also, turn on the outdoor faucet before restoring it to ensure water remains inside.

Step 3: Examining The Washer Assembly: Once the water supply has shut off, start unlocking the packing nut behind the faucet’s handle using a wrench. After that, the handle should be discarded to access the washer assembly. It is further employing a screwdriver for removing the washer from the unit. Now, renew the damaged washer with a fresh one.

Step 4: Reconstruct Your Spigot: Once the process has b, restore to restore the removed screw at the end of the faucet’s handle. Then replace the faucet’s handle to its opening position. Likewise, the packing nut should be tightened by twisting it clockwise. Finally, turn on the water source and test the faucet for leaks or drips.

How To Fix Dripping Sink Faucet?

If your sink faucet drips, you can follow the steps below:

Step 1: Stop the flowing water.

Step 2: Remove the faucet handle carefully.

Step 3: Then, find the source of the leak and replace the parts if necessary.

Step 4: Put the faucet back together.

Conclusion

These tips and guidelines can come in handy anytime because this is a skill that not only saves money but time too. But not always do these processes lead to the desired result of stopping the leakage. So, in such cases, you can always call the plumbing services for help.

James Miller

James is an organic fertilizer professional who owns a successful organic fertilizer company in new jersey. He is an expert in waste management in both houses and community cases. In his free time, he loves to write about his experiences in the field.