Bathtub Faucet Won’t Turn Off - What To Do

It’s only a matter of time before your water faucets fail. If you’re unfortunate enough, they’ll break when the water is still running, which consequently can leave you with the dreaded bathtub faucet won’t turn off issue. 

Luckily, this is a problem that’s relatively easy to resolve for most homeowners. So before calling a plumber, you can try to do the repair or replacement yourself.

Stopping Immediate Water Damage

Once you find out a bathtub faucet won’t turn off, you need to spring into action right away. If left unchecked, it can quickly flood the room and cause expensive water damage. Even if your drains can handle all the incoming water, leaving the faucet running while you go about the day can significantly bump up your water bill for the month.

If a bathtub faucet won’t turn off, the best thing to do is shut off the water completely. Although sinks have visible local shut-off wolves for both hot and cold water, your bathtub’s water supply valves are located behind your wall. Fret not as  you won’t have to go all “MC Hammer” on your drywall - you’ll have to shut off the water supply to your entire house.

Why Your Faucet Failed

There are many reasons why faucets fail. Figuring out the exact cause can be tricky and will require some tinkering on your part. Most commonly, a bathtub faucet won’t turn off because of the:

1. Damaged handle

When the bathroom faucet handle doesn’t settle in its normal position, it may strip or crack in the process. To put it differently, the stripped handle won’t be able to tighten the valve that cuts the flow of water.

When this happens, you’ll have to replace the handle. Depending on your faucet, it may be harder or easier to do so. For example, some handles are so corroded they’re difficult to remove, and some call for a basin wrench (you can get one in any hardware store for about $15) to get the job done. 

If you have an antique facet, you may need to replace the entire thing as finding new handles will be close to impossible (bummer).

2. Worn-out washer

If your bathroom faucet won’t turn off, the culprit might be a worn-out washer. Inside the stem of the faucet (cartridge), there is a rubber washer that seals off the water when the handle is in the off position. Since rubber is not exactly a material known for its longevity, it will eventually deteriorate. 

The good news is that you can find this washer in any hardware store if you know the exact size. 

3. Worn-out faucet handle seat

The handle seat is part of the faucet that allows the handle to turn. This component can also wear out due to water damage and corrosion, rendering the faucet unable to shut off the water.

In case you have a removable handle seat, replacing this part is relatively easy. Do note that if you can’t unfasten the old handle seat, you’ll need to replace the entire cartridge.

Is It Worth Repairing The Faucet?

When a bathroom faucet won’t turn off, it’s reasonable to think going through the hassle of repairing the cartridge is not worth your time and effort. The choice here depends on two factors - the age and the price of the faucet.

Generally speaking, a faucet may last up to ten years so if it’s older than that, it may be easier to replace it altogether, especially if it’s so old there are no replacement parts available. However, if your faucet was expensive and is still relatively new, it might be worth going the extra mile to try to salvage it. 

How To Fix A Bathroom Faucet

If you’re patient enough and confident in your abilities to not to make a mess, you should try the following things to fix that bathroom faucet won’t turn off problem: 

1. Tighten the faucet handle screws

The screw which keeps your handle in place can loosen up over time. Hence, before taking apart the entire cartridge or replacing it, try this fix first.

Grab a screwdriver or an Allen wrench and tighten the handle - as simple as that. 

If the problem persists and your bathroom faucet won’t turn off, it’s time to continue troubleshooting.

2. Take apart the faucet

You can find signs of damage to washers that may be causing your problem by dismantling the faucet. 

Here’s how to go about it:

• Use a flathead screwdriver to disconnect the caps on the handle to reveal the handle screws. Unscrewing these lets you pull the handles off.
• Once you remove the handles, you’ll be able to see the cartridge. Detach the clip that holds it in place and pull it out with a pair of pliers.
• Put the cartridge and all the other parts such as washers and o-rings on a flat surface and inspect their condition. 
• If any parts seem chewed up, you may have to replace them. Bring the damaged parts to the hardware store and find replacements that are the exact size. 
• Do everything in reverse and put the faucet back together. 
• Restore the water supply and check if you’re able to shut off the water.
  
  

3. Replace the cartridge

Sometimes, the small parts inside the cartridge may wear out, in which case you’ll have to replace the entire thing. 

Once you take out the old cartridge with a pair of pliers, buy a new one. Cartridges usually come packaged with a lubricant which you can use to slide the new cartridge into place. Once again, assemble everything, shut on the water supply, and check if the new cartridge is working properly.

Avoid The Problem With Regular Inspections

When a bathtub faucet won’t turn off, it can be an annoying issue to deal with. Still, it’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to problems with other bathroom fixtures - some of which can cause major damage. 

This is why we recommend nipping the problem in the bud by having professional home inspections at least once a year. 

Our team at Guardian Angel Inspections conducts the most detailed home inspection on the market and will check everything from your roof, all the way to your bathroom fixtures and plumbing. This way, you can effectively spot issues that are far more serious than a broken faucet.

Call us today at 561-512-7854 or fill out our contact form and receive valuable insight into the true condition of your abode