If in case your faucet is dripping or leaking then it is time to replace bathtub faucets.
Easy as it may sound there are a couple of factors you need to look in to while replacing the faucet.
Follow the tips presented here and replacing bathtub faucets will be an easy task.
Faucets enable water in a pipe to be used in controlled manner. Usually almost all bathtubs have either two valve or 3 valve faucets.
They generally begin leaking or dripping when washers become stiff and corroded. Water pressure adds to hasten the process. In older design faucets , there used to be rubber or neoprene washers. In the latest designs cartridges are used in place of washers.
It is usually necessary to purchase a correct faucet. Faucets come in several sizes and styles. When you must replace a faucet it’s essential to take exact measurement of holes from centre to centre. Style maybe optional but size is not.
Also you should have the right tools to replace a faucet. There are various types of wrenches for plumbing jobs.
For hex or square nuts open end wrenches are ideally suited as they have smooth jaws. In case your pipe is chrome coated and you do not wish to mar the surface then you might want to opt for a strap wrench. If the pipe is of small diameter then you must have vise grip wrench.
Usually two pipe wrenches are required for all plumbing jobs. One wrench to hold and the other to turn.
While installing a bathtub faucet opt for the faucet assembly behind walls. Usually builders would have provided a rear access panel in the rear of tub. Read the installation instructions while assembling the 2 valve or three valve water faucets.
And listed below are some typical steps to change a leaky water faucet.
• To start with turn the water supply off. You may turn off the main supply for the entire house.
• Then remove the faucet’s handle. Pull or tap gently. Over time the handle may have gotten welded to the stem. So don’t force it. Incase it doesn’t come out easily then use a special handle puller.
• Next remove the stem and the trim assembly. The stem assembly is used for controlling the quantity and temperature of water output to the tub. Use a bath socket wrench to dis-assemble this.
• Next check the washer itself. Incase it is brittle or torn then the washer is the cause for the drip. Take both the washer and the stem for replacement.
• Check the seats. If they are not smooth then they too need to be changed. Utilize one of those seat wrenches to remove it.
• When changing you should just assemble it all back . Grease the nut threads, washer and stem threads. Afterward put them all back and tighten the nuts.
• And if it is a cartridge type faucet then take out the handle and trim. Then replace the cartridge.
So with a just a little bit of knowledge you can fix it by yourself for $80-$90.
In the same vein, it’s not hard to fix a leaky shower faucet either.