How to Replace Bathtub Faucets?
It doesn't take a lot of money or time to give your bathroom faucet a much-needed change. One quick and simple way to update an outdated tub's appearance is to replace the spout and faucet handles.
You can finish the task quickly with common household tools. Water should be shut off to the house and the plumbing pipes drained. Basically, you remove the current handles, stems, and spout, and test the new arrangement from here on out.
In this article, we'll demonstrate how to replace your bathtub faucet. There is no specialized knowledge or equipment for plumbing required. The trick is to get the handles and faucet off properly.
Let’s dive in.
How to Replace Bathtub Faucets?
To determine which alternate faucet set will work with the existing plumbing, it is important to inspect the existing bathtub faucet and handles carefully. The pipe that the spout holds needs to be measured to ensure the spout is not too lengthy or too small.
Taking an old fixture to the hardware store will allow you to compare it to the new one when choosing new replacement parts. If you don't know what you need, you can request a store employee for assistance. The needed tools for replacing the bathroom faucets are a flathead screwdriver, pocket knife, handle puller, towel or cloth, hasp key, pipe wrench, measurement tape, and caustic gun. Be it a hard water bathroom faucet or any other type, the below steps can be followed.
1. Shutoff the main building valve
For any plumbing repair at your home, you must first switch off the water before beginning. This will prevent leaks or flooding of water while fixing things. In the mechanical room or basement, you will usually find the main valve for the entire building. Pour most of the water out of the system by opening the faucet in the basement bathroom sink. You should also open the sink and bathtub faucets to release trapped water from the pipes.
2. Place a towel or piece of clothing beneath the tub
Changing the bathtub faucet requires removing and handling a few screws. If you place a towel under the tub, these tiny fittings will not sink into the drain unintentionally. If the fittings are not needed immediately, they can be stored outside the tub in a secure location.
3. Remove the handle and lock the handle fastener
If the index screw was held in place by a flathead screwdriver, it can be removed.
Don't keep turning if it appears to be stuck because if you continue doing it, the screw will get damaged. Instead, apply a lubricating agent to the screw.
The screw should be fully removed by turning it counterclockwise, then it should be stored safely until it is required for reinstallation. Now, the handle ought to easily detach from the stem. Even for a second handle, follow the same process if you want to remove the screw and handle.
4. Unscrew the stem out of the faucet
Once you remove the handle, there will be a thin pipe protruding from the wall which is called the stem. Its main purpose is to control the faucet. Turn the socket wrench counterclockwise to let out the stem. Once the stem has been let out, grab it and withdraw it from the wall.
5. Remove the stem from the faucet
The thin pipe that protrudes from the wall should be visible after removing the handle. Stems control faucets. This is what controls them. With a socket wrench, loosen the stem by turning the nut counterclockwise. When the stem has been loosened, simply grasp it with your hand and remove it. In order to replace the bathtub faucet handles, repeat the above steps for each handle, and save the old parts for reference.
6. Get rid of the spout
Spouts of bathtub faucets either screw directly to the pipe with mounting screws under the tub. For future use, store any mounting screws you remove with a screwdriver. The spout can be removed from the pipe by rotating it counterclockwise with a pipe wrench that is wrapped around a cloth to protect it. You should be able to remove the water pipe from the spout when you loosen it.
7. Replacement parts should be purchased after measuring the pipe
By measuring the pipe's length with a tape measure, ensure that it is compatible with your existing plumbing set. Spouts that are longer than pipes will need to be replaced. Whenever you visit the hardware store to shop for replacement parts, you can even show the old parts to the store guide so they can give you the right parts.
8. Insert a new stem
After you've replaced the new parts, reinstall the bathtub faucet. In the same place as the old stems, insert the threaded end of the new stem. A socket wrench should be used to tighten the stem first by hand, then clockwise. Overtightening the stem can damage the pipes, so be careful not to overtighten. Install each handle of your bathtub if it has more than one.
9. Set up the new handles
Slide the handle across the new stem once it makes contact with the wall. Use the new screws that came with the bathtub faucet replacement kit and secure the handle once it has been installed. Using a gentle push, place the index cover over the screw to protect it and complete the handle's appearance.
10. Lodge the new spout
When the pipe threading is sealed with the plumber's tape, leaks are prevented. Pipes without threads that need to be lubricated and protected can be applied with the plumber's grease.
Attach the new spout to the pipe using the mounting screw. The entire spout can be screwed onto the pipe without a mounting screw. Afterward, the fixture should be tightened with a pipe wrench after wrapping cloth or towel around the spout to prevent scratches. If you caulk the downspout base with silicone caulk and a caulk gun, you can prevent water damage and mold growth.
11. Test
Allow the water to circulate throughout the pipes after turning on the water supply. Let the water drain out of the pipes for a few minutes before turning off the sink.
Make sure all faucets and handles on the bathtub are turned off and check if the fixture works under pressure and see if there are any leaks. As long as everything went according to plan, you should now have a new bathtub faucet that doesn't leak.
Conclusion
A dripping bathroom faucet can increase your water bills and damage your home. Finding parts that specifically fit the previous installation can be difficult, and if pieces are difficult to remove, you run the risk of damaging the pipes. Furthermore, if you lack the necessary skills, you can never be certain that you will be able to replace your shower faucet, you can always get help from professional plumbers.
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