Bathroom faucets are among the most important parts of any home, providing you with the water you need to keep yourself clean. When a faucet starts leaking or stops working entirely, it might be time to replace it. Or, you might simply want to refresh your bathroom’s appearance.
Bathtub faucet replacement is a relatively simple plumbing task, with modern faucets designed to be installed and removed without the need for specialist tools. However, if you have never done it before, it is important to familiarize yourself with the process to avoid any accidental floods.
In this article, we will explain how to replace a bathtub faucet, including how to remove one and install the replacement. We will also answer some commonly asked questions regarding bathroom faucets and how to change them.
Key Takeaways
- Turn off the water supply and drain the faucet to prevent flooding.
- Remove the faucet handle, stem, and spout using appropriate tools like screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches.
- Install the new faucet by attaching the stem, handle, and spout, ensuring a proper fit and secure connections.
- Measure the pipe and choose the right size faucet for replacement, and consider buying a full kit for a matching set.
How to Remove a Faucet
Removing a faucet, whether it is single-handle or double-handle, should be very straightforward. You will need these tools, most of which could already be in your home:
- Flathead screwdriver
- Pliers
- Socket wrench tool
- Allen wrench
- Plumber’s tape
1. Turn off Water Supply
First, turn off the water supply to your bathtub. If your bathtub has an isolator valve, you can simply close that.
Most shut-off valves are installed outside your house or in its basement. If you can’t find the valve or are unsure of its location, ask your plumber for guidance.
Keep In Mind
2. Drain the Faucet
To avoid flooding your bathroom, you need to drain the faucet before you remove it. Open a tap to allow the water to empty from the spout. Once the spout and pipes are empty, close the faucet.
3. Remove the Cover of the Handle
The cover is usually a small plastic piece at the center of the handle. It covers the screw that holds the handle in place.
Use a flathead screwdriver to pry it out by sliding it under the side of the plastic cover. The size of the plastic cover will vary depending on the design of the faucet.
4. Remove the Screws
Cover the drain to prevent any screws from disappearing down it if you drop them.
Once the screw is revealed, use the screwdriver to remove it by turning it counterclockwise. There may also be a screw or multiple screws on the cover plate. If you find any, you can turn them counterclockwise as well.
Place the screws somewhere safe so you can reuse them later.
5. Remove the Stem
The stem of a faucet is the part that sticks out from the wall. It resembles a pipe and controls the tap. To remove it, you can either use pliers or a socket wrench, depending on the setup.
If the nut is on the outside of the wall, use pliers to loosen the stem. If the nut isn’t visible or accessible, use the socket wrench instead.
Slide the hollow wrench over the stem and use pliers to rotate it counterclockwise to loosen it. Once it’s loose, simply pull it from the wall. If there are two handles, you can use the same method for both.
6. Remove the Spout
Take Note
Inspect the spout to find the screws that hold it in place — these are usually located underneath. Use an Allen wrench to turn it counterclockwise to loosen it. Once you have removed the screw, you can easily pull the spout off the pipe.
Some spouts have an internal thread — these usually don’t use screws. To remove one of these faucets, simply rotate the tap counterclockwise.
7. Measure the Pipe
Once you have removed the faucet, measure the reach of the pipe that extends from the wall. You can use a standard measuring tape for this, and don’t forget to make a note of the measurement.
This measurement is critical when buying a replacement — the new tap will need to be slightly longer than the pipe.
How to Install the New Faucet
1. Buy a New Faucet
To ensure you choose the right stem, we recommend taking the previous faucet when you go shopping. Buy new stems that are the same size as the previous ones, so you can be sure they will fit your pipes.
Choose whichever handles you like. However, if you previously had a single handle, you can’t install multiple handles. Look for faucet kits that include both handles and stems. This will make installation easier as everything will be made to fit together.
2. Install the Stem
Once you have bought a new faucet and stems, place the end with threads where the previous one was. Turn it clockwise and tighten it by hand. Once it is hand-tight, use your pliers and socket wrench to seal the connection further.
If you have multiple handles, you will need to screw in a stem for each one.
Be Careful
3. Install the Handles
Once the stem is secured, it’s time to attach the handle. Place the handle onto the stem and push it back until it reaches the wall. When the handle is over the stem, use a screwdriver to tighten the screw and secure it.
If your handle has a cover plate, attach it to the wall before the handle. Tighten the screws clockwise using a screwdriver.
You might need to caulk around the handles if they aren’t watertight, to ensure no water leaks into your wall. Caulk is a sealant used to close gaps between materials. It is commonly used around bathtubs, sinks, and toilets (1). There are two main types of caulk: acrylic latex and silicone. You can buy bathtub caulks and the relevant tools at any hardware store.
How to Install the Spout
1. Buy a Brand New Spout
You can buy spouts at any hardware or supply store — take the time to find one you like. Make sure it complements the handles in terms of style and finish.
Bring your pipe measurement along. Your new spout should be slightly longer than the pipe — and attach in a similar way to the previous one. To make sure you get the right size spout, take the old one to compare.
2. Use Plumber’s Tape
Wrap the plumber’s tape a couple of times around the threaded part of the pipe that extends from the wall. Cut it and use your finger to seal it by pressing down. This tape will prevent any leaks from the spout.
If you don’t have any plumber’s tape at home, you can buy it from a supply or hardware store. Don’t attempt to replace a faucet using any other tape. Plumber’s tape is waterproof and can prevent potential leaks.
3. Attach the Spout
Place the new tap over the pipe and turn it clockwise. The spout should only be tightened by hand to avoid damaging the pipes. Turn until it becomes difficult to continue — if this places it in an uneven position, turn it back counterclockwise until the tap is aligned properly.
You might need a spout adapter if the spout won’t screw on due to the pipe being too short. The adapter is an extension that connects the pipe and spout. Attach it to the pipe first, then rotate the tap onto the extension.
Use an Allen wrench to tighten any screws at the bottom of the faucet.
FAQs
Why Does My Faucet Leak After Replacing the Stems?
This can be caused by the valve seat, a circular ridge that the washer touches when closed. The seats can become worn, in which case they will need to be replaced.
To fix this, use a wrench that fits the ridge. Turn it counterclockwise to loosen and remove the seat. Wrap some plumber’s tape around the threaded part of the new seat to prevent leaks.
When Can I Shower After Replacing a Faucet?
You can shower immediately after replacing a faucet, as long as the replacement went as planned. However, if you applied caulk around the faucet, you will need to wait for it to dry.
Experts recommend that you leave caulk to dry for 24 hours, depending on the type. Unless it is fast-drying, it shouldn’t be exposed to water for at least the first eight hours. It might feel dry to the touch much sooner than that, but you must wait for it to fully cure.
How Much Is a Bathtub Faucet?
Bathtub faucet prices vary depending on the brand, quality, parts included, and finish. Spouts can cost between $100 and $150, but keep in mind that you might also need to purchase additional parts.
In most cases, it is a better option to purchase a full kit that includes a stem, handles, and the spout. Although these kits cost more, you will get everything you need, and every part will match.
Should a Spout Fit Securely on the Wall?
Your bathroom faucet’s spout should be tightened by hand to the point that it is difficult to turn. You shouldn’t force it any further, as this could damage the pipe.
If this leaves the tap facing the wrong way (upwards or sideways), you should move it back counterclockwise to correct its alignment. Avoid turning it clockwise, even if it’s only slightly. Make sure you use plumber’s tape on the threads to prevent leaks.
What Are the Different Types of Bathtub Faucets?
Bathtub faucets usually fall into one of the following categories: freestanding, deck mounted, wall mounted, tub wall, and roman tub.
Freestanding faucets do not require pre-drilled holes in the bathtub and are designed to stand freely on their own.
Because they are attached to the floor and hang over the tub’s edge, these faucets are also known as floor-mounted faucets or standalone faucets. You can position them wherever you choose within the area.
Because they are not attached to the tub and may be installed in various locations around it, freestanding faucets provide a high level of versatility. The faucets can be positioned anywhere around the tub. Before purchasing a standalone tub faucet, check if your home has underfloor access.
The water supply lines for a freestanding tub reside below the finished floor and require adequate space. In addition to being able to be installed on clawfoot tubs, these faucets go particularly well with freestanding or pedestal tubs.
Deck-mounted faucets go hand-in-hand with pre-drilled-hole tubs. As a result of the necessity of supply lines, which are required to transport water from the supply line to the faucet itself, underfloor access is essential.
If you have access to the area beneath the floor, you must search for rigid supply lines.
Wall-mounted faucets are the most convenient since they attach to the wall over the tub’s rim. This arrangement maintains a streamlined appearance by preventing clutter on the deck.
When using an underfloor access system is not an option, or if you already own or want to purchase a tub that does not have holes pre-drilled for the faucet, a wall mount faucet is an ideal choice.
It conceals all the supply lines in your home by immediately connecting to the water supply behind the wall.
Tub wall mount faucets go inside the bathtub wall. Make sure to measure the faucet hole distance before you buy this type of faucet.
Roman tub faucets need to have three holes bored into the tub’s rim before you can install them to the tub surround. Roman tub faucets go in conjunction with drop-in tubs. A hand shower requires drilling a fourth hole, so keep that in mind if you’re installing one.
How Do I Know What Size Faucet I Need?
The best way to determine what size faucet you need is to measure the distance between the holes. Alternatively, you can also measure your existing faucet and purchase one with the same measurements.
You must examine the handles and faucet now installed in the bathtub to locate a replacement faucet set that will be compatible with the plumbing.
In most cases, this will also involve measuring the pipe onto which the spout fits to obtain a faucet spout that is appropriate and not excessively long or short.
Instead of purchasing the faucet’s handles, stems, and replacement spout separately, it is better to go for a bathtub faucet kit that includes all of these components. This will help ensure that your fittings’ appearance is consistent.
How Long Does It Take to Replace a Bathtub Faucet?
Replacing a bathtub faucet takes anywhere between 30 minutes to three hours so you don’t necessarily need to hire a plumber. Still, if you have no experience working with faucets, it might be best to call in a professional.
