Within the realm of residence renovations, few duties are as daunting as tackling a plumbing mission. Nonetheless, changing a two-handle bathtub faucet is a surprisingly manageable endeavor that gives each aesthetic and purposeful upgrades. This step-by-step information will equip you with the data and confidence to rework your bathtub right into a sanctuary of consolation and magnificence.
Earlier than embarking on this mission, it is important to assemble the mandatory instruments and supplies. You will have a pair of pliers, an adjustable wrench, a screwdriver, a basin wrench, and alternative handles and cartridges. After getting every part prepared, it is time to disconnect the water provide to the tap. Find the shutoff valves below the sink and switch them clockwise to the closed place. Subsequent, take away the handles by unscrewing the screws situated on the base of every deal with.
With the handles eliminated, now you can entry the cartridges. Use the pliers to loosen the packing nut situated on the bottom of every cartridge and thoroughly take away the cartridges. Make sure to observe the orientation of the cartridges, as they’ll must be reinstalled in the identical place. As soon as the cartridges are eliminated, it is time to take away the bathtub spout. Use the adjustable wrench to loosen the nut that holds the spout in place and gently pull it off. Now that you’ve got eliminated all of the previous parts, it is time to set up the brand new faucet.
Gathering the Obligatory Instruments and Supplies
Embarking on a tub faucet alternative journey necessitates an arsenal of instruments and supplies. Make sure you possess the next necessities to ensure a clean and environment friendly course of:
Instruments
| Important Instrument | Function |
|---|---|
| Adjustable wrench | Loosen and tighten nuts |
| Phillips screwdriver | Take away deal with screws |
| Basin wrench | Attain and loosen faucet base |
| Pliers | Grip and take away faucet parts |
| Utility knife | Minimize caulking round faucet base |
| Tape measure | Measure distances for faucet alignment |
Supplies
- New two-handle bathtub faucet
- Plumber’s tape
- Caulk
- Washers and O-rings (if not included with new faucet)
- Security glasses
- Gloves
- Bucket
- Sponge or towel
- Optionally available: Moist/dry vacuum
- Find the Drain Plug: The drain plug is often situated on the backside of the bathtub close to the again.
- Carry the Drain Plug: Use your fingers or pliers to raise the plug straight up. If the plug is caught, attempt unscrewing it with a pair of pliers.
- Let the Water Drain: Enable the water to empty fully from the tub into the bucket. This will likely take a number of minutes. You probably have numerous water within the tub, you need to use a moist/dry vacuum to hurry up the method.
To make use of a moist/dry vacuum:
Step Directions 1 Place the vacuum hose over the drain gap. 2 Activate the vacuum and permit it to suck up the water. 3 As soon as the water is gone, flip off the vacuum. - Clear Up: As soon as the water is drained, use a sponge or towel to wipe up any remaining water from the bathtub and surrounding space.
- Find the cartridge retaining clip or screw and take away it.
- Pull the cartridge straight out of the tap physique.
- Use a wrench to loosen the packing nut.
- Pull the stem out of the tap physique. Watch out to not harm the O-rings on the stem.
- Flip off the water provide to the tap.
- Take away the deal with by unscrewing the set screw situated on the base.
- Pull the cartridge straight out of the tap physique.
- Apply plumber’s grease to the brand new cartridge’s O-rings.
- Insert the brand new cartridge into the tap physique and tighten it in place.
- Reinstall the deal with and activate the water provide to verify for leaks.
- Flip off the water provide to the tap.
- Take away the deal with by unscrewing the set screw situated on the base.
- Pull the stem meeting straight out of the tap physique.
- Disassemble the stem meeting by unscrewing the packing nut and eradicating the washer and O-rings.
- Apply plumber’s grease to the brand new stem meeting’s O-rings and washer.
- Reassemble the stem meeting and insert it into the tap physique. Tighten the packing nut securely.
- Reinstall the deal with and activate the water provide to verify for leaks.
- Find the water provide valves, that are normally situated below the sink or behind the tub.
- Flip the valves clockwise to open them.
- Examine for any leaks on the connections.
- If there aren’t any leaks, activate each cold and warm water taps to flush out any particles.
- Let the water run for a couple of minutes till it’s clear.
- Flip off the taps.
- In case you are uncertain of the situation of the water provide valves, seek the advice of your property’s plumbing diagram or contact a plumber.
- In case you can not open the water provide valves, they could be seized. You’ll be able to attempt utilizing a wrench to softly loosen them.
- In case you discover any leaks on the connections, tighten them utilizing a wrench.
- Adjustable wrench
- Basin wrench
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flathead screwdriver
- New bathtub faucet
Shutting Off the Water Provide
Find the Water Shut-Off Valves
Usually, the shut-off valves for the tub faucet are situated behind the tub entry panel. If you do not have an entry panel, they could be situated below the sink or in a close-by utility closet.
Establish the Chilly and Sizzling Water Valves
Most shut-off valves are labeled with crimson and blue handles, indicating cold and warm water, respectively. In case your valves usually are not labeled, you possibly can decide which is which by following the pipes main from them. The recent water pipe will usually be on the left, and the chilly water pipe shall be on the proper.
Flip Off the Valves
To show off the water provide, merely flip the valves clockwise till they’re absolutely tightened. It’s possible you’ll want to make use of a pair of pliers to get grip on the handles. As soon as the valves are closed, the water provide to the tub faucet shall be reduce off.
Warning:
Earlier than you start engaged on the tap, be sure that the water provide is totally turned off. If any water stays within the pipes, it may leak out and harm your toilet.
Draining the Bathtub
Earlier than you start changing your bathtub faucet, it is important to empty the water from the bathtub.
Instruments You may Want:
Step-by-Step Directions:
Detaching the Previous Faucet Handles
With the brand new handles at your disposal, it is time to take away the previous ones. This course of is often simple, however it might differ barely relying on the precise design of your faucet. This is an in depth information that will help you by every step:
1. Establish the Kind of Handles
First, decide whether or not your faucet has screw-on or pull-out handles. Screw-on handles are the most typical sort, and they are often eliminated utilizing a screwdriver or Allen wrench. Pull-out handles, alternatively, require a distinct method.
2. Take away the Deal with Cowl
For screw-on handles, search for a small cap or escutcheon protecting the screw. Use a screwdriver or coin to pry off the duvet, exposing the screws holding the deal with in place.
For pull-out handles, find the discharge button or lever that permits you to pull out the deal with from its base. As soon as the deal with is pulled out, you possibly can proceed to take away it.
3. Unscrew the Deal with
Utilizing a screwdriver or Allen wrench, fastidiously unscrew the screws holding the deal with in place. Be mild when unscrewing to keep away from damaging the tap. As soon as the screws are eliminated, the deal with ought to come off simply.
4. Take away the Deal with Base
In some circumstances, chances are you’ll have to take away the deal with base to entry the underlying cartridge or valve. To do that, determine the screws or clips securing the bottom to the tap physique. Use applicable instruments to take away them and thoroughly raise off the deal with base.
| Deal with Kind | Removing Technique |
|---|---|
| Screw-on | Pry off cowl, unscrew screws |
| Pull-out | Pull out deal with, find launch button |
Eradicating the Cartridge or Stems
As soon as the handles and trim are eliminated, you may have to take away the cartridge or stems. The strategy for doing this can differ relying on the kind of faucet you have got. This is find out how to do it for each sorts:
Cartridge Taps
Stem Taps
This is a desk summarizing the variations between cartridge and stem taps:
| Cartridge Taps | Stem Taps |
|---|---|
|
Single deal with |
Two handles |
|
Cartridge might be changed with out eradicating the tap |
Stems have to be eliminated to switch |
|
Normally costlier than stem taps |
Normally cheaper than cartridge taps |
Putting in the New Cartridge or Stems
Changing the cartridge or stems is important when the tap is leaking from the handles. The steps concerned on this course of differ relying on the kind of faucet you have got. This is a normal information:
Cartridge Alternative
Stem Alternative
| Cartridge Alternative | Stem Alternative |
|---|---|
| Pull cartridge straight out | Pull stem meeting straight out |
| Apply grease to cartridge O-rings | Disassemble stem meeting |
| Insert cartridge and tighten | Reassemble stem meeting |
Reattaching the Faucet Handles
7.a: Aligning the Handles
Fastidiously align the handles with their corresponding stems by putting them over the handles. Be sure that the setscrews are going through the entrance of the tap.
7.b: Tightening the Setscrews
Find the setscrews on the handles. Utilizing the provided Allen wrench, gently tighten the setscrews to safe the handles in place. Keep away from overtightening, as this will harm the handles or stems.
7.c: Rechecking Deal with Operation
As soon as the handles are securely hooked up, function them to make sure correct functioning. Examine for leaks or any resistance within the handles. If the handles usually are not working easily, take away them and readjust the setscrews accordingly till the handles function effortlessly.
Turning on the Water Provide
After getting eliminated the previous faucet, you will need to activate the water provide earlier than putting in the brand new faucet. This can assist you flush out any particles that will have amassed within the pipes whereas the previous faucet was eliminated. To activate the water provide, comply with these steps:
Now that the water provide is on, you possibly can proceed with putting in the brand new faucet.
Extra ideas for turning on the water provide:
| Instrument | Function |
|---|---|
| Wrench | Tightening or loosening water provide valves |
| Flashlight | Illuminating darkish areas below the sink or behind the tub |
Testing the New Faucet
As soon as the brand new two-handle bathtub faucet is put in, it is important to check it completely to make sure it features correctly and there aren’t any leaks.
Steps for Testing the New Faucet:
| Step | Directions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Activate each cold and warm water handles absolutely and verify for any leaks across the base of the tap, handles, or spout. |
| 2 | Examine the spray head and ensure it is producing a fair and constant spray sample. |
| 3 | Take a look at the diverter, if relevant, to make sure it switches easily between the bathtub spout and bathe head. |
| 4 | Regulate the cold and hot water handles to seek out the specified temperature. |
| 5 | Flip off each water handles and verify once more for any leaks or drips. |
If any leaks or points are detected, confer with the producer’s directions or contact a licensed plumber for additional help.
Troubleshooting Frequent Issues
In case you encounter any points whereas changing your two-handle bathtub faucet, confer with the next widespread issues and options:
Leaking from the Faucet Base
Trigger: Unfastened base connection
Resolution: Tighten the mounting nuts below the bottom utilizing a wrench.
Leaking from the Deal with Joint
Trigger: Worn-out O-rings or washers
Resolution: Change the O-rings or washers.
Water Hammering
Trigger: Unfastened pipes or air within the pipes
Resolution: Examine if the pipes are securely mounted. If there’s air within the pipes, open and shut the tap a number of instances to flush it out.
Sizzling and Chilly Water Reversed
Trigger: Incorrect set up of provide traces
Resolution: Swap the cold and hot provide traces.
Decreased Water Stress
Trigger: Clogged aerator or cartridge
Resolution: Take away and clear the aerator or exchange the cartridge.
Faucet Deal with Stiff or Unfastened
Trigger: Worn-out valve seat or broken stem
Resolution: Examine the valve seat and stem for harm. Change any faulty components.
Squealing or Whining Noises
Trigger: Laborious water deposits or particles
Resolution: Take away the tap deal with and clear the internals with a descaler or vinegar.
Leaking from the Showerhead Hose
Trigger: Broken hose or unfastened connections
Resolution: Change the hose or tighten unfastened connections.
Dripping from the Pop-Up Drain
Trigger: Worn-out rubber stopper or linkage
Resolution: Change the rubber stopper or regulate the linkage.
How To Change A Two Deal with Bathtub Faucet
Changing a two deal with bathtub faucet is a comparatively easy plumbing restore that may be accomplished in a number of hours. By following these step-by-step directions, it can save you your self the price of hiring a plumber.
Instruments You Will Want:
Step 1: Flip off the water provide to the tub.
There needs to be two shut-off valves situated below the sink. Flip the handles clockwise to show off the water.
Step 2: Take away the previous faucet handles.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to take away the screws that maintain the handles in place. As soon as the screws are eliminated, pull the handles straight as much as take away them.
Step 3: Take away the previous faucet cartridge.
Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the packing nut that holds the cartridge in place. As soon as the packing nut is unfastened, pull the cartridge straight out of the tap.
Step 4: Set up the brand new faucet cartridge.
Insert the brand new cartridge into the tap physique and tighten the packing nut by hand. Use an adjustable wrench to additional tighten the packing nut, however don’t overtighten.
Step 5: Reinstall the tap handles.
Push the tap handles onto the stems and tighten the screws that maintain them in place.
Step 6: Activate the water provide to the tub.
Examine for leaks across the faucet handles and the bottom of the tap. If there are any leaks, tighten the packing nut or screws till the leaks cease.
Folks Additionally Ask About How To Change A Two Deal with Bathtub Faucet
What’s the distinction between a two deal with and a single deal with bathtub faucet?
A two deal with bathtub faucet has two separate handles for controlling the cold and hot water, whereas a single deal with bathtub faucet has one deal with that controls each the cold and hot water.
Can I exchange a two deal with bathtub faucet with a single deal with faucet?
Sure, you possibly can exchange a two deal with bathtub faucet with a single deal with faucet. Nonetheless, chances are you’ll want to switch the plumbing below the sink to accommodate the brand new faucet.
How a lot does it value to switch a two deal with bathtub faucet?
The associated fee to switch a two deal with bathtub faucet will differ relying on the kind of faucet you select and the complexity of the set up. Nonetheless, you possibly can count on to pay between $100 and $300 for the tap and set up.
