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How to fix a tub leak

We'll locate the leak, fix the faucet or drain, and tell you when to call a plumber.

How-to · Home plumbing
30–60 min
What you'll need
  • Replacement faucet washers or cartridge (for your faucet type)
  • Plumber putty (for drain flange)
  • Replacement overflow gasket (if needed)
  • Screwdriver, channel-lock pliers
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Steps

Goal: Shut off water, locate the leak, fix the faucet or drain, and know when to call a plumber.

  • Turn off the hot and cold water supply valves for the tub. Relieve pressure by opening the tub faucet until water stops.
  • Good: No water flow when the faucet is open. Proceed to Locate the leak.
  • Bad: Water still flows—find the correct shutoff valves.

Locate the leak

Goal: Identify where the water is escaping.

  • Dry the tub, faucet, and area around the tub. Turn the water back on and run the faucet.
  • Watch where water appears—at the faucet spout or base, at the drain, at the overflow plate, or under the tub at the waste-and-overflow.
  • Good: You see water emerge from one or more spots. Proceed to Fix faucet or Fix drain based on location.
  • Bad: Cannot locate the leak—call a plumber.

Fix faucet

Goal: Stop leaks at the faucet (drip when off).

  • For compression faucets, remove the handle and replace the stem washer. For cartridge faucets, replace the cartridge. For ball faucets, replace the seats and springs. Check your faucet type and replace the worn parts.
  • Good: No drips when the faucet is closed. Proceed to Verification.
  • Bad: Faucet body is cracked—call a plumber.

Fix drain

Goal: Stop leaks at the drain or overflow.

  • If the leak is at the drain flange, remove the drain strainer and reapply plumber putty or a new gasket. If the leak is at the overflow (water runs down the overflow when the tub fills), remove the overflow plate and replace the gasket. If you have access under the tub, tighten the waste-and-overflow connection.
  • Good: No drips at the drain or overflow. Proceed to Verification.
  • Bad: Leak is behind the wall or you cannot access the plumbing—call a plumber.

When to get help

Call a plumber if:

  • The leak is inside the wall.
  • The leak is behind the tub access panel and you cannot reach it.
  • The faucet body is cracked.
  • You are not comfortable with the repair.

Do not overtighten connections—you can damage fittings.

Verification

  • No drips at the faucet, drain, or overflow when the water is on.
  • The tub drains normally and the area around the tub stays dry.

Where is the leak?

Dry the tub and area. Run the faucet. Watch for water at faucet, drain, overflow, or under the tub.

Shut off the water. Dry the tub and area. Turn water on and run the faucet. Good: you see water at the faucet, drain, overflow, or under the tub. Bad: cannot locate—call a plumber.

Faucet Drain or overflow

You can change your answer later.

Replace washers or cartridge

Replace faucet washers or cartridge per your faucet type. Turn water on. Good: no drip. Bad: faucet body cracked—call a plumber.

Done

Fix drain or overflow

Replace the overflow plate gasket or drain flange putty. Tighten the waste-and-overflow connection if you have access. Good: no leak. Bad: leak is behind the wall—call a plumber.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why does my bathtub leak?
Common causes: worn faucet washers or cartridge, a loose drain connection, a failed overflow gasket, or loose supply lines. The drain can leak at the flange or where it connects to the waste-and-overflow. The overflow plate seals the overflow opening.
Can I fix a bathtub leak myself?
Yes. Most leaks at the faucet, drain, or overflow are fixable by replacing washers, tightening the drain, or fixing the overflow gasket. Shut off the water first. If the leak is behind the wall or under the tub and you cannot access it, call a plumber.
When should I call a plumber for a bathtub leak?
Call a plumber if the leak is inside the wall, behind the tub access panel and you cannot reach it, or the faucet body is cracked. Do not overtighten connections—you can damage fittings.

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