A worn handle won't turn the bathtub faucet. A bathtub faucet handle and stem are designed to work together. The inside of the faucet and outside of the stem are like two cog pieces, with one cog’s teeth turning the next cog. When one cog wears out from years of use, it can no longer turn the next cog. If the bathtub faucet won't turn off, the trickle of water could increase your water bill, and when the faucet won't turn on, it can cause frustration. Before moving to replace the stem or faucet, try some minor repairs to get your faucet turning again. Pry the handle cap from the center of the faucet handle with a small flat-blade screwdriver to expose the handle screw. Tighten the handle screw with a Phillips screwdriver. Rotate the bathroom faucet on or off to see if tightening the screw helps resolve the issue. If the faucet still fails to turn off or on, try repairing the end of the stem. Turn off the water supply valve to your bathtub faucet. If you can't access the shut-off valve to the faucet, turn off the water supply where it enters your home, or use a meter key to turn off the water supply at the water meter.

Turn on a faucet inside your home to drain the water from your lines. Remove the handle screw from the faucet. White 45 Inch CurtainsPull the handle off the stem. Making Curtains With A BorderInspect the end of the faucet stem for damage. Cast Iron Patio Furniture RepairThe tip of the stem should have ridges that connect with the ridges inside the faucet handle. If these are worn or damaged, the faucet handle can’t grip the stem and turn the faucet on or off. Look inside the faucet handle for damage. A cracked handle would need replacing, as it cannot grip the faucet stem. If the ridges inside the handle are worn, the handle cannot connect with the stem and control the faucet. Clean the end of the stem with an old toothbrush to remove any water deposits.

Wipe the stem dry with a rag. Wrap one or two layers of thread-seal tape around the tip of the valve stem. Push the handle over the thread-seal tape and onto the stem. Insert the handle screw through the top of the handle and into the stem. Tighten the screw and replace the handle cap. Turn the water supply back onto the bathtub faucet. Attempt to turn the water off and on. The thread-seal tape should add one or two more years to the life of the stem and the handle, and allow the faucet to turn. Things You Will Need Small flat-blade screwdriver Phillips screwdriver Meter key Old toothbrush Rag Thread-seal tape References The Family Handyman: How to Simply Fix Loose Faucet Handles Photo Credits Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionFixing a leak caused by an O-ring takes only a few minutes. A one-handle bathroom faucet uses a single handle to turn the hot and cold water off and on in a tub, shower or sink. This type of faucet has an O-ring inside the faucet’s handle that leaks as it breaks down, or as dirt and grime builds up over time.

If your single-handle bathroom faucet develops a leak, you need to replace the O-ring. Fixing this leak eliminates a constant drip. Turn off the shutoff valve on the water supply line to the faucet, or turn off the water at the main valve outside your home. Remove the screw securing the faucet handle with a screwdriver or hex key wrench to remove the handle. Turn screws securing the escutcheon plate behind the faucet handle counterclockwise to remove the screws and the plate. Grasp the bonnet nut that covers the inside of the faucet with an adjustable wrench and turn it counterclockwise to remove it. Grab the valve stem sticking out of the wall with pliers and pull it away from the wall to remove it from the faucet housing. Take the old O-ring off the valve stem. Lubricate a new O-ring with silicone grease and place it on the faucet’s valve stem. Slide the valve stem back into place and replace the bonnet nut over the valve stem. Turn the bonnet nut clockwise with the adjustable wrench to tighten it.

Position the escutcheon plate over the bonnet nut and secure it with screws. Place the handle into its proper position and secure it with a screw. Turn on the shutoff valve on the water supply line to the faucet, or turn on the water at the main valve outside your home. Edit ArticleHow to Fix a Leaky Bathtub Faucet Two Parts:Dismantling the FaucetReplacing PartsCommunity Q&A Dripping bathtub faucets can increase your water bill every month. Many people attempt to turn the faucet handles tighter and inadvertently shred the seals even further. Although a plumber is needed to fix major problems, you can repair most broken washers, gaskets and seals yourself with a few special tools. Gather the proper tools. You will need a monkey wrench, bath socket wrench or vice grip pliers, a Philips screwdriver, a flat-head screwdriver, a jar gripper, plumber's grease, a rag, Teflon tape and possibly tub caulk. You may also need a hair dryer. Turn off the water intake to your house.

Open the hot and cold valves on the bathtub faucet. Remove the faucet handle insert for both the hot and the cold water. Insert a Philips head screwdriver into the hole and unscrew the handle from the wall. Over time, handles can corrode and weld the faucet on. Use a hand dryer to heat the handle and loosen it. Don’t use too much force or it can break. Call a plumber if your handle breaks or will not come off. Unscrew the trim and the collar from the wall by hand. The trim is the decorative piece that fits around the outside of the faucet, generally just behind the handle, while the collar is generally a tubular piece that fits around the internal faucet parts. They should unscrew fairly easily. You can use a hair dryer to loosen them as well. Repeat for the other handle if your tub has two. Set the faucet handle inserts, faucet handles, screws, trim and collar parts aside in a small container. Remove the stem bonnet, which is the packing nut that holds the stem in place[2].

These are sometimes also called “cartridges.” Insert a bath socket wrench and turn it counterclockwise. If you are unable to find a bath socket wrench, you can use a vice grip to hold onto the stem bonnet and loosen it. Insert the seat wrench into the opening where the faucet was.Look at the parts you have just removed. You must find the part to replace. The best way to ensure you will fix the leak is to fix all the wearable parts on both hot and cold faucet valves. Replace parts inside the stem bonnet first. You can replace the washers or the entire stem and bonnet portion of the faucet.[5] Grease each new part with plumber’s grease before screwing it back on. Replace the seat washer. Unscrew the seat washer screw at the back of the seat. Peel off the rubber seat washer. Replace the seat washer screw and the seat washer after greasing them. Screw the seat back into place with the seat wrench. Tighten it with your hand. It should be tightly sealed but easy to remove by hand.