Have you ever wondered why the water drips out through your faucet? It most likely has to do with the type of faucet you have or the design of your fixture itself.
Let’s start with the basics; the faucet consists of three main parts – the valve stem, the faucet body, and the handle. The handle contains the mechanism that controls water flow from the faucet.
A common cause of dripping bathtub faucet is clogged pipes. If your plumbing isn’t working properly, the water won’t stop dripping even after turning off the main supply. Other reasons include old valves, worn seats, rust or corrosion, and loose connections.
There are several things you can try to fix the problem yourself. If nothing works, consider calling a professional.
Common Causes of Dripping Bathtub Faucet
Here are some of the common causes of leaking bathtub faucet.
Improper installation
Bathtubs should be installed correctly the first time around. Otherwise, water can seep into the tub through cracks along the baseboard or under the sink.
Improper drainage
This is usually caused by improper installation or the lack of proper plumbing. If your drain has an obstruction, it could cause water to back up into the tub.
Poorly sealed joints
The tub surround may not be adequately sealed from the tub itself. If you install the tub yourself instead of hiring a professional plumber, this can happen.
Leaking pipes
A cracked pipe or one that isn’t connected tightly enough to the wall can result in a slow drip.
Faulty valves
These can fail when the temperature changes. It’s best to check them once every year.
How to fix a dripping bathtub faucet?
Turn off the water faucet.
The first step is to turn off the water supply to the bathroom. This completely cuts off the supply of water to the house. The shut-off valve is commonly found in the basement of a home. Turn the shut-off valve forward to turn off the water supply.
The shut-off valve could be installed outside, near the municipal water metre, which is common in many homes. If the valve has not been turned in years, consider using the wrench to screw it shut.
When the water flow has been stopped, switch the lever to the “on” state and drain any extra liquid from pipelines into the bathtub.
Replace the washer on the faucet.
The washer is the protruding rubber component of the faucet cartridges at the tip. Because many washers are built for specific cartridge brands, you might have to get it tested to guarantee that you get a replacement that works with faucet parts.
Replace the washer if it appears to be cracked or worn.
To loosen the screw that keeps the washer together, use a socket wrench.
Before replacing the screw, detach its washer and replace it.
If the tub faucet persists leaking following replacing this part, the stem may need to be replaced.
Check Your Drain Pipes and Tub Spout
The most common cause of leaking in the bathroom is a clog in the drain pipe. Water will back up into the tub spout and drip on the floor when this happens. To fix this problem, use a plunger to clear the clog. If you need help using a plunger, then call a plumber.
Clean Out Your Sink
Another way to stop dripping in the bathroom is to clean out the sink. Remove any debris that may have built up around the sink’s drain opening. Then, run hot water through the sink to remove any soap scum buildup. Afterward, rinse with cold water to ensure that everything gets cleaned out.
Make Sure That You Have Proper Plumbing Parts
If your sink isn’t draining properly, you might not have enough parts. For example, if there aren’t any rubber washers inside the sink’s trap, then you won’t be able to keep the pipes sealed. In addition, make sure that you have all the necessary parts for your shower head. These include a hose, a shower arm, and a diverter valve.
Change Your Shower Head
A shower head can also cause problems when it starts leaking. To avoid this issue, change your shower head every few years. It’s best to do so while the shower is unoccupied because you won’t want to get wet during the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens if you don’t fix a leaking bathtub faucet?
Bathroom leaks can happen anytime, even during holiday breaks or vacations. But they often go unnoticed until it’s too late. If left unattended, they can cause damage to floors, carpets, furniture, and walls.
A bathroom leak usually comes from a bathtub or sink faucet. But it might also come from the showerhead, toilet, washing machine, and dishwasher. Turn off the water supply before fixing it when you notice water leaking around these areas.
- How anti-leaking device can fix the dripping bathtub faucet?
An anti-leak sleeve device can be used to seal off the drain pipe. Once installed, it prevents water from flowing out of the sink. However, you should only install one type of anti-leak sleeve. Otherwise, you could end up causing more damage by blocking the entire drain pipe.
The Bottom Line
Your house may seem like a haven from the outside, but it holds dangers inside. The bathroom is probably the only place where you can relax and unwind after a long day at work.
Unfortunately, this sometimes means dealing with leaks from your toilet or shower. Once something goes wrong, it can cause severe damage.
Leaky faucets can happen anywhere. Leaks can occur from pipes above ground level, such as toilets, and underground sources, such as drains and sewers. If left unattended, water damage can start rapidly spreading throughout the entire structure, causing expensive repairs.
