Trying to remove a stubborn bathtub faucet can be a frustrating experience. However, with the right tools and a little bit of patience, it’s a task that can be accomplished by most DIYers.
Before you begin, it’s important to gather the necessary tools. You will need a wrench, a pair of pliers, and a screwdriver. Additionally, you may also need a putty knife or a utility knife to help remove any caulk or sealant around the faucet. Once you have your tools assembled, you can begin the process of removing the faucet.
The first step is to turn off the water supply to the faucet. This can usually be done by turning off the valves located under the sink. Once the water is turned off, you can begin to loosen the nuts that hold the faucet in place. These nuts are typically located on the underside of the faucet, and they can be loosened using a wrench. Once the nuts are loose, you can remove the faucet by pulling it straight up. Be careful not to damage the sink or the surrounding countertop when removing the faucet.
Identifying the Type of Faucet and Handle
Before you remove the faucet, it’s essential to identify the type of faucet and handle you have. This will help you choose the correct tools and approach for the job.
Types of Faucets
There are two main types of bathtub faucets: single-handle and two-handle. Single-handle faucets have one lever that controls both the water temperature and flow, while two-handle faucets have separate handles for hot and cold water.
Types of Handles
Faucet handles come in various styles, including lever handles, cross handles, and knob handles. Lever handles are the most common type of handles, while cross handles and knob handles are more traditional.
Lever Handles
Lever handles are typically made of metal or plastic and have a single lever that moves up and down or left and right to adjust the water temperature and flow.
Cross Handles
Cross handles are made of metal or plastic and have two handles that move perpendicular to each other. The left handle controls the hot water, while the right handle controls the cold water.
Knob Handles
Knob handles are made of metal or plastic and have two knobs that turn clockwise and counterclockwise to adjust the water temperature and flow.
|
| Faucet Type | Handle Type |
|---|---|
| Single-handle | Lever handle |
| Two-handle | Cross handles |
| Knob handles |
Gathering Necessary Tools
Tools Required:
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Adjustable wrench | Loosens and tightens nuts and bolts of all sizes |
| Channel-type pliers | Grips and turns round objects like the bathtub drain |
| Adjustable basin wrench | Specifically designed to access and loosen difficult-to-reach nuts behind the faucet |
| Teflon tape | Creates a watertight seal around threaded connections |
| Painter’s tape | Protects the bathtub surface from scratches and dents |
| Cloth or towel | Prevents moisture from damaging surrounding areas |
| Phillips and flathead screwdrivers (optional) | Tightens or loosens screws depending on the faucet design |
| Allen wrench (optional) | Tightens or loosens bolts with hexagonal heads |
| Bucket | Catches water dripping during the removal process |
Ensure you have all the necessary tools before beginning the removal process. Replacements for any missing tools can be found at hardware stores or plumbing supply centers.
Turning Off Water Supply
Before you begin working on your bathtub faucet, it is crucial to turn off the water supply to prevent any water damage or interruptions during the process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you turn off the water supply:
- Locate the shut-off valves: Find the two shut-off valves, usually located under the sink or behind the bathtub. They are typically small, round handles or lever-operated valves.
- Turn off the hot water valve: Using a wrench or pliers, turn the hot water valve clockwise until it is fully closed. This will stop the flow of hot water to the faucet.
- Turn off the cold water valve: Locate the cold water valve, which is usually next to the hot water valve. Turn it clockwise until it is completely closed to stop the flow of cold water.
Additional Tips:
- If you cannot locate the shut-off valves under the sink or behind the bathtub, check in the basement or crawl space.
- If the shut-off valves are old or rusty, use a penetrating oil to loosen them up before turning them.
- If you have any difficulty turning off the water supply, contact a licensed plumber for assistance.
| Valve Type | Closing Direction |
|---|---|
| Lever-operated | Move the lever towards the “off” position |
| Round handle | Turn the handle clockwise |
Loosening the Cartridge or Valve
Most modern bathtub faucets have cartridges or valves that control the flow of water. To loosen a cartridge, you’ll typically need a cartridge puller, which is a small tool with prongs that fit into the slots on the cartridge. If you don’t have a cartridge puller, you can try using a pair of needle-nose pliers, but be careful not to damage the cartridge. Once the cartridge is loose, you can pull it out of the faucet body.
To loosen a valve, you’ll typically need an Allen wrench or a screwdriver. Insert the wrench or screwdriver into the screw on the top of the valve and turn it counterclockwise to loosen the valve. Once the valve is loose, you can remove it from the faucet body.
If you’re having trouble loosening the cartridge or valve, you may need to apply some penetrating oil to the threads. Let the penetrating oil sit for a few minutes before trying to loosen the cartridge or valve again.
Here’s a table summarizing the steps for loosening the cartridge or valve:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Turn off the water supply to the faucet. |
| 2 | Remove the aerator from the faucet spout. |
| 3 | Insert the cartridge puller or Allen wrench into the screw on the top of the cartridge or valve. |
| 4 | Turn the cartridge puller or Allen wrench counterclockwise to loosen the cartridge or valve. |
| 5 | Pull the cartridge or valve out of the faucet body. |
Removing the Faucet Body
Once the handle is removed, you need to remove the faucet body. To do this, follow these steps:
- Locate the retaining nut that secures the faucet body to the valve. It is usually located at the base of the faucet body, just above the mounting flange.
- Using a wrench or pliers, carefully loosen the retaining nut. Be careful not to over-tighten the nut, as this can damage the faucet body.
- Pull the faucet body straight up and off the valve. There may be some resistance, but it should come off easily.
- If the faucet body does not come off easily, you may need to use a penetrating lubricant to help loosen the retaining nut. Apply the lubricant to the nut and let it sit for a few minutes before trying to loosen it again.
- Once the faucet body is removed, you can access the valve and the cartridge (if applicable). You may need to remove the cartridge in order to replace the faucet or to repair the valve.
Tips for Removing the Faucet Body
- If the faucet body is corroded or rusted, you may need to use a penetrating lubricant to help loosen it.
- Be careful not to over-tighten the retaining nut, as this can damage the faucet body.
- If you are having difficulty removing the faucet body, you can call a plumber for assistance.
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Adjustable wrench | To loosen and tighten the retaining nut |
| Pliers | To hold the faucet body in place while loosening the retaining nut |
| Penetrating lubricant | To help loosen the retaining nut if it is corroded or rusted |
Replacing the Faucet Body
Replacing the faucet body is a slightly more involved process than replacing the cartridge, but it is still relatively simple. Follow these steps:
1. Gather your tools and materials.
- Adjustable wrench
- Screwdriver
- New faucet body
- Plumber’s putty
- Teflon tape
2. Turn off the water supply.
Locate the shut-off valves beneath the sink and turn them off. You can identify the valves by their red handles.
3. Disconnect the water lines.
Unscrew the nuts that attach the water lines to the faucet body. You may need to use an adjustable wrench.
4. Unscrew the mounting nuts.
There are two nuts that hold the faucet body in place. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen them.
5. Remove the old faucet body.
Once the nuts are loose, you can pull the old faucet body straight up and out of the sink.
6. Prepare the new faucet body.
Apply a bead of plumber’s putty around the base of the new faucet body. Wrap a few turns of Teflon tape around the threads of the water lines.
7. Install the new faucet body.
Insert the new faucet body into the sinkhole. Tighten the mounting nuts by hand, then use an adjustable wrench to further tighten them.
8. Reconnect the water lines.
Hand-tighten the nuts that attach the water lines to the faucet body. Use an adjustable wrench to further tighten them, but be careful not to overtighten.
9. Turn on the water supply.
Turn on the shut-off valves beneath the sink and check for leaks. If you see any leaks, tighten the nuts or connections as necessary.
How To Get Bathtub Faucet Off
Bathtub faucets can be a pain to remove, especially if they’re old or rusted. But with the right tools and a little bit of know-how, you can get the job done in no time.
Step 1: Gather your tools
You will need the following tools to remove a bathtub faucet:
- Adjustable wrench
- Allen wrench (if the faucet has set screws)
- Channel-lock pliers
- Bucket
- Rags
Step 2: Turn off the water
Before you start working on the faucet, you need to turn off the water supply. This will prevent any water from leaking out and making a mess.
To turn off the water supply, locate the shut-off valves under the sink. Close both valves by turning them clockwise.
Step 3: Disconnect the water lines
Once the water supply is turned off, you can disconnect the water lines from the faucet. To do this, use an adjustable wrench to loosen the nuts that hold the lines in place.
Be careful not to over-tighten the nuts, as this could damage the lines.
Step 4: Remove the faucet
Now that the water lines are disconnected, you can remove the faucet. To do this, use an Allen wrench to remove the set screws that hold the faucet in place.
Once the set screws are removed, you can use a channel-lock pliers to gently rock the faucet back and forth until it loosens.
Step 5: Clean the area
Once the faucet is removed, you can clean the area where it was installed. Use a bucket and rags to clean up any water or debris.
People Also Ask About How To Get Bathtub Faucet Off
How do I remove a bathtub faucet handle?
To remove a bathtub faucet handle, first use an Allen wrench to remove the set screw that holds the handle in place. Once the set screw is removed, you can pull the handle straight off.
How do I replace a bathtub faucet cartridge?
To replace a bathtub faucet cartridge, first turn off the water supply. Then, remove the faucet handle and unscrew the cartridge nut. Once the cartridge nut is removed, you can pull the cartridge straight out of the faucet body.
How do I fix a leaky bathtub faucet?
There are a few different ways to fix a leaky bathtub faucet. One common solution is to replace the washer or O-ring that is causing the leak.
