Common bathtub and shower problems and solutions
- Water seeps from bathtub (pop-up drains)
- Water seeps from bathtub (trip-lever drains)
- Control lever won’t stay in position
- Water drains too slowly from bathtub (pop-up drains)
- Water drains too slowly from bathtub (trip-lever drains)
- Drain slow or blocked
- Faucet handle leaks (double-handle)
- Faucet handle leaks (single-lever)
- Water leaks from tub spout or shower head (double-handle)
- Water dripping from tub spout or shower head (single-lever)
- Water incompletely diverted from spout to shower (tub-spout diverters)
- Water leaks around diverter handle (push-pull diverters)
- Water incompletely diverted from spout to shower (push-pull diverters)
- Weak or uneven pressure from shower head
- Shower head leaks
Water seeps from bathtub (pop-up drains)
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Accumulation of hair or soap around stopper | Remove and clean stopper |
| Accumulation on lift assembly | Remove and clean lift assembly |
| Lift assembly too long | Adjust lift assembly |
| Lift assembly worn or damaged | Replace lift assembly |
Water seeps from bathtub (trip-lever drains)
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Accumulation on plunger | Remove and clean lift assembly |
| Lift assembly too short or plunger worn | Adjust or replace lift assembly |
Control lever won’t stay in position
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Lever mechanism corroded | Adjust or replace lift assembly |
Water drains too slowly from bathtub (pop-up drains)
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Accumulation around stopper | Clean stopper |
| Lift assembly clogged, corroded, or too short | Clean and adjust lift assembly |
Water drains too slowly from bathtub (trip-lever drains)
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Lift assembly clogged, corroded, or too long | Clean and adjust lift assembly |
| Lift assembly worn or damaged | Replace lift assembly |
Drain slow or blocked
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Drainpipes clogged | Open drainpipes with a plunger, auger, or hose |
| Trap blocked | If trap is accessible, unblock through cleanout plug or remove trap If not accessible, call a plumber |
Faucet handle leaks (double-handle)
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Compression type (newer): O-rings worn or damaged | Replace O-rings |
| Compression type (older): packing nut loose, packing or washer worn | Tighten nut or replace worn parts |
| Disc type: O-ring worn | Replace O-ring |
| Diaphragm type: O-ring worn | Replace O-ring |
Faucet handle leaks (single-lever)
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Disc type: inlet seals worn or disc cracked | Replace seals or disc assembly |
| Ball type: adjusting ring loose or O-ring worn | Tighten adjusting ring or replace o-ring |
| Cartridge type: O-rings or cartridge worn | Replace O-rings or cartridge |
Water leaks from tub spout or shower head (double-handle)
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Compression type (newer): washer worn or seat damaged | Replace washer or replace or redress seat |
| Compression type (older): washer worn or seat damaged | Replace washer or redress seat or have faucet replaced |
| Disc type: seat assembly worn | Replace seat assembly |
| Diaphragm type: diaphragm worn | Replace diaphragm |
Water dripping from tub spout or shower head (single-lever)
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Disc type: disc cracked or worn | Replace disc assembly |
| Ball type: ball assembly worn | Replace worn parts |
| Cartridge type: cartridge worn | Replace cartridge |
| Faucet body worn | Have faucet replaced |
Water incompletely diverted from spout to shower (tub-spout diverters)
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Diverter worn | Replace tub spout |
Water leaks around diverter handle (push-pull diverters)
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| O-rings worn | Replace O-rings or diverter |
| Diverter worn | Replace diverter |
Water incompletely diverted from spout to shower (push-pull diverters)
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| O-rings worn | Replace O-rings or diverter |
| Diverter coated with sediment | Clean diverter |
| Diverter worn | Replace diverter |
Weak or uneven pressure from shower head
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Mineral buildup on shower head | Clean or replace shower head |
Shower head leaks
| Possible Cause | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Connections at shower head and arm loose | Tighten shower head to arm or seal joint with pipe tape |
