Replacing some of the stem's valve assembly will eradicate faucet leakage problems.
According to Repair Home, fixing a leaky tub faucet is similar to repairing a leaky sink. The faucet parts in the valve assembly, such as worn seat and bonnet washers, are what cause most leaks. Replacing the parts with brand new components is the best option when you need to repair a leaky faucet stem. Bring any parts with you to the hardware store to make sure that replacement components will fit your particular bathtub stem. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Remove the faucet handle with a special handler puller, which you can find at most hardware stores.
2. Unscrew the stem assembly inside bathtub's wall with a socket wrench. Locate the stem's seat washer, or the black or bronze ring located at the very tip of the stem. According to Reader's Digest, the seat washer stiffens overtime, causing it to seal less tightly, which causes the water pressure to gradually erode its brass rim. Use a seat wrench to unscrew the old seat washer. Replace the old seat washer with a new one.
3. Replace the washers and the bathtub's seats in both the hot and cold valves only if the you are working with a two-handed faucet. Lubricate the stem's parts with plumber's grease to make it easier to remove washers.
4. Unscrew the packing nut on the stem---the bronze ring located below the packing washer. Twist the stem clockwise. Pry out the packing washer using a small flat-blade screwdriver. Grease the stem threads with plumber's grease. Reinstall the stem on the bonnet. Finally, grease the new packing washer so that it can slide into place. Tighten the packing nut with socket wrench.
5. Remove the old seat washer screw along with its old seat washer. Grease the new seat washer and the threads of the new screw. Reinstall. Remove the old bonnet washer, grease the replacement one and slide it into place.
6. Use pipe joint compound on the bonnet threads and reinstall it back into the faucet's body. Reinstall both stem and handle back into bathtub wall.
Tags: seat washer, packing washer, parts with, back into, bathtub wall, bronze ring, bronze ring located
