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Fix a tub faucet that drips

We'll shut off the water, identify whether you have a cartridge or stem faucet, and replace the cartridge or washers to stop the drip—or tell you when to call a plumber.

Troubleshooting · Home plumbing
20–45 min
What you'll need
  • Hex key or screwdriver (to remove the handle)
  • Replacement cartridge or washers (match the model; check the old part)
  • Channel-lock pliers or cartridge puller (if the cartridge is stuck)
  • Silicone grease (for O-rings)
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Steps

Goal: Confirm the drip, shut off the water, then replace the cartridge or washers.

  • Turn the tub faucet fully off and wait thirty seconds. Check if water continues to drip from the spout.
  • Good: The faucet drips when closed—seal fault. Proceed to Shut off the water.
  • Bad: No drip when closed—different issue. See When to get help.

Shut off the water

Goal: Stop water flow before disassembly.

  • Locate the supply valves for the tub—often behind an access panel in the wall or under the tub. Turn both valves clockwise until they stop.
  • If you cannot find them or they are stuck, shut off the main house valve. Open the tub faucet to drain the lines.
  • Good: Water stops and the lines run dry. Proceed to Cartridge path or Stem path.
  • Bad: Valves stuck—shut off the main house valve or call a plumber.

Cartridge path

Goal: Replace the cartridge on a cartridge-style tub faucet.

  • Remove the handle and trim. Use a cartridge puller or pliers to extract the cartridge. Remove the retaining clip if present.
  • Inspect the cartridge for cracks, worn O-rings, or damaged seals. Note the part number for replacement.
  • Install a replacement cartridge that matches the original. Lubricate O-rings with silicone grease. Reassemble the handle and trim.
  • Good: The cartridge is replaced and the drip stops when you turn the water back on.
  • Bad: Replaced and still drips—the valve seat may be corroded. Call a plumber.

Stem path

Goal: Replace the seat washers on a stem-style tub faucet.

  • Remove the stem from the valve body. Inspect the seat washer at the bottom and any O-rings.
  • Replace any cracked, flattened, or grooved washers with the same size. Check the valve seat inside the body for pitting.
  • Reinstall the stem and reassemble. Turn the supply valves on slowly.
  • Good: The washers are replaced and the drip stops.
  • Bad: The valve seat is corroded—call a plumber. Seat reaming or replacement may be needed.

When to get help

Call a plumber if:

  • The supply valves are stuck and you cannot shut off the water.
  • The valve seat is badly corroded and you do not have a seat-grinding tool.
  • The faucet body is cracked.
  • You have replaced the cartridge and it still drips.
  • You cannot access the supply valves (e.g. behind tile with no panel).

Verification

  • The tub faucet is fully off and no water drips from the spout for at least sixty seconds.
  • No leaks at the handle or trim when the water is on.
  • The cartridge or washers (if replaced) are seated correctly and the faucet operates smoothly.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm symptom Verify the faucet drips when turned off; rule out a different leak.
  2. Shut off water Turn off supply valves and drain the lines before disassembly.
  3. Cartridge or stem Identify faucet type and replace cartridge or washers.
  4. Call a plumber Corroded valve seat, cracked body, or drip continues after repair.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Faucet brand and model
  • Whether cartridge or stem
  • Condition of valve seat
  • Parts already replaced

Does the tub faucet drip when turned off?

Turn the faucet fully off and wait thirty seconds. A drip when closed indicates a worn seal.

Turn the tub faucet fully off and wait thirty seconds. Good: water drips from the spout when closed—seal fault. Bad: no drip when closed—different issue (leak elsewhere, or drip only when on).

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

No action needed

The faucet does not drip when turned off—no problem. No action needed.

Done

Are the supply valves off?

Shut off hot and cold at the tub. If no access, shut off the main house valve.

Turn both supply valves clockwise. Open the faucet to drain the lines. Good: water stops. Bad: valves stuck—shut off main house valve or call a plumber.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is it a cartridge or stem faucet?

Cartridge: single cylindrical part. Stem: separate hot/cold stems with washers.

Remove the handle. Cartridge faucets have one cylindrical cartridge that pulls out. Stem faucets have separate stems with seat washers. Good: you know the type. Bad: unsure—search "[brand] [model] tub faucet parts" or call a plumber.

Cartridge Stem

You can change your answer later.

Is the cartridge worn or cracked?

Inspect O-rings and seals on the cartridge.

Extract the cartridge. Inspect for cracks, worn O-rings, or damaged seals. Worn or cracked: replace with exact match, reassemble, test. Good: cartridge replaced—drip should stop. Bad: replaced and still drips—check valve seat or call a plumber.

Yes No (already replaced)

You can change your answer later.

Replace cartridge and test

Install a replacement cartridge that matches the original. Lubricate O-rings with silicone grease. Reassemble and turn water on slowly. The drip should stop. If it continues, the valve seat may be corroded—call a plumber.

Done

Are the washers worn or is the valve seat corroded?

Inspect seat washers and the valve seat inside the body.

Remove the stem. Inspect the seat washer. Replace if cracked or flattened. Check the valve seat for pitting. Washer worn: replace washer, reassemble, test. Seat corroded: call a plumber—seat reaming or replacement may be needed.

Washers worn Seat corroded

You can change your answer later.

Replace washers and test

Install new seat washers and O-rings. Reassemble and turn water on slowly. The drip should stop. If it continues, the valve seat may need reaming—call a plumber.

Done

Call a plumber

Call a plumber if: the supply valves are stuck; the valve seat is corroded and you do not have a seat-grinding tool; the faucet body is cracked; you have replaced the cartridge and it still drips; or you cannot access the supply valves.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why does my tub faucet drip?
Usually a worn cartridge, seat washer, or stem seal. Shut off the supply valves, remove the handle, and inspect the internals. Replace any cracked or flattened parts.
Do I need to shut off the main water to fix a dripping tub faucet?
No. Shut off the hot and cold supply valves at the tub (often behind an access panel or under the tub). Only use the main house valve if the supply valves are stuck.
When should I call a plumber for a dripping tub faucet?
Call a plumber if the valve seat is badly corroded, the faucet body is cracked, or you have replaced the cartridge and it still drips. Some tub valves require special tools or are hard to access.

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