It may be necessary to disassemble a tub faucet to fix leaks.
Tub faucets use either cartridges or stem valves to control the flow of water. Constant leaks require taking the tub faucet apart to make repairs. Sometimes a full replacement of the tub faucets is necessary. Disassembling a tub faucet is not the same as a sink faucet because the faucet handles do not connect to the spout with a single piece. The project requires turning off the water supply to the tub.
Instructions
1. Turn off the shutoff valves for the tub faucet plumbing. The shutoff valves are normally behind the wall with an access panel in an adjacent room. If you cannot find the shutoff valves, turn off the main water supply to the home. It is a good idea to turn off the circuit breaker to the hot water heater if you turn off the main water supply.
2. Turn the faucet handles to the open position and allow any remaining water to drain from the lines. Turn the faucet handles back to the off position. Remove the snap cover off the face of the handles. Insert the tip of a flat-head screwdriver between the seam of the handle and cover. Pry the cover straight off the handle to reveal the screw that secures the handle to the faucet stem or cartridge.
3. Remove the handle retaining screw with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Pull the handle away from the faucet. Repeat for the opposite handle. Remove the decorative escutcheon plate that surrounds the faucet stem or cartridge. This plate has a set screw on its lower or side edge. Remove the set screw with an Allen wrench and pull the escutcheon plate away from the wall.
4. Slide off the cartridge sleeve, if you have a cartridge faucet. Remove the packing nut securing the stem or cartridge to the house plumbing with an adjustable wrench. Look for the C-clips securing the cartridge to the house plumbing, if you have a cartridge faucet. Pull the C-clip out of the top of the cartridge with needle-nose pliers.
5. Grab the end of the cartridge with a pair of pliers, and pull the cartridge out of the house plumbing. If you have a stem faucet, grab the end of the stem with the pliers and twist counterclockwise to remove the stem from the house plumbing.
6. Remove the screw under the tub spout that secures it to the house plumbing with an Allen wrench and slide the spout away from the wall. If you do not have a set screw, turn the spout counterclockwise with a pipe wrench to remove it from the house plumbing.
Tips Warnings
Single-handle tub faucets have the handle set screw on the side of the handle. The escutcheon plate may have the retaining screws on the face of the plate, on single-handle tub faucets.
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