A bathtub faucet that drips wastes water and stains the tub. It also tells you a seal or cartridge is worn. Most leaks come from a small number of parts, and many are easy to fix with basic tools. This guide shows how to identify the part and when to stop and call.
Start with the type of faucet
Tubs have one handle, two handles or a single handle with a diverter that sends water up to a shower. Single-handle faucets usually use a cartridge. Two-handle faucets use a stem with a rubber washer or a ceramic cartridge. Knowing the type tells you what to buy.
| Where it leaks | Likely cause | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Drips from the spout when off | Worn cartridge or washer | Replace the cartridge or washer |
| Leaks around the handle | Worn O-ring or packing | Replace the O-ring |
| Shower runs when tub is on | Diverter worn | Replace the diverter |
| Water behind the wall | Valve body or pipe | Call a plumber |
| Drip only when hot | Hot side cartridge | Replace that cartridge |
Turn the water off first
Look for shutoff valves behind an access panel near the tub. If there are none, shut the water off at the main. Open the tub faucet to drain the line, and plug the drain so no small parts fall in.
Replace the cartridge or washer
- 1
Remove the handle
Pry off the cap, remove the screw and pull the handle off.
- 2
Remove the trim
Take off the escutcheon plate to reach the valve.
- 3
Pull the cartridge or stem
Remove the retaining clip or nut. Note how the cartridge sits.
- 4
Match the part
Take the old part to a store or note the brand. An exact match matters.
- 5
Reassemble and test
Install the new part, turn the water on slowly and check for leaks.
Stuck, stripped or soaked?
Call and we can finish the repair.
Hard water and sticky parts
Mineral buildup makes old cartridges stiff and hard to remove. A little vinegar around the stem can loosen it. Do not force a cartridge. A cracked valve body is a bigger repair than the one you started.
When to call a plumber
- The shutoff valve will not close
- The valve body is corroded or cracked
- Water leaks inside the wall
- The handle will not come off
- You cannot identify the brand or model
A tub valve is inside the wall. If you replace the whole valve, someone needs to open the wall and solder or crimp new connections. That is plumber work.
Tools and parts to gather
- Screwdrivers, a hex key set and an adjustable wrench
- A cartridge puller if your brand uses one
- Plumber's grease for O-rings and seals
- A small container for screws and clips
- The exact replacement cartridge or washer set
Take photos at each step. The order of clips, washers and caps matters when you put everything back, and a photo beats memory.
How to know the repair worked
Turn the water on slowly with the faucet open, then close the faucet and watch the spout for a full minute. Dry the handle base and trim with a paper towel and check for any wet spot. Run a hot bath and check again, because heat reveals a seal that cold water hides.
If a drip returns within a week, the seat inside the valve may be worn or pitted. That is a deeper repair that usually means a new valve body, and it is the point to call us. The wall may need to be opened, and we keep the opening small.
When the leak is behind the wall
A drip from the spout is easy to see. A leak behind the wall is not. Signs include a stain on the ceiling below, a soft spot in drywall near the tub, a musty smell and mold at the edge of the tile. If you suspect a wall leak, stop using that fixture and call. Water trapped behind tile can rot framing.
A plumber will test the supply lines under pressure and may open a small access panel from the other side of the wall, such as in a closet or utility room. Many tub valves have an access panel for exactly this purpose.
What to know in Savage
Savage's supply is hard. The City buys about 71.5 percent of its distributed water from Burnsville, whose 2025 water report states hardness of 25 to 26 grains per gallon. Scale builds on tub spouts and cartridges, and cleaning often restores performance.
Before you hire anyone, check their license with the state Department of Labor and Industry's lookup tool.
Source type: City water report and state agency page
Code and sources
Under the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, the governing standard is Minnesota Rules chapter 4714, built on the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code with state amendments. This page is general information, not a code review of your home, and your city building department answers permit questions.
Prevent the next drip
Do not overtighten handles. Clean the spout aerator or showerhead seasonally. If your fixtures are old and have worn parts you cannot find, a new valve may be better. Our faucet repair team can take over when the cartridge is stuck, our toilet repair page covers the other fixture most likely to drip, and our Shakopee and Prior Lake pages list nearby towns we serve.
Questions Savage homeowners ask
Not if the tub has its own shutoff valves. Otherwise shut off the main.
No. Cartridges seal with O-rings. Tape is for threaded pipe joints.
The diverter is worn. Replacing it is usually simple.
Scale can stiffen parts and wear seals faster.
Look under the handle, on the cartridge, or in the home's paperwork.
Still have a question about your situation? The line is open around the clock. Call (952) 866-9120