Why Is My Bathtub Faucet Leaking After the Water Is Turned Off?
July 16, 2025
Hearing the constant dripping of a bathroom faucet isn't just annoying. It's also a major waste of water and money due to higher water bills, whether it's from a leaky water valve under the sink or your tub spout leaking when the water is off. This guide covers common causes and topics such as:
- If you should attempt a DIY repair or seek professional help
- Common Cause #1: Worn-Out Washer or O-Ring
- Common Cause #2: Corroded Valve Seat
- Common Cause #3: A Faulty Cartridge
- Common Cause #4: High Water Pressure
- Other Common Causes
When your faucet leaks, time is of the essence. When you don't know how to fix a leaky bathtub, call a professional plumber for the quickest, most reliable solution.
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Should I Attempt a DIY Repair or Seek a Professional?
While some plumbing repairs seem simple on the surface, we generally discourage people from attempting to make them themselves. Leaky faucets can be difficult to diagnose correctly.
When you rely on a plumber to repair your leaky faucet, you get other benefits too, such as:
- Saving time while the plumber performs the repair
- Avoiding unintentional damage to the faucet or plumbing
- Having access to a work guarantee or insurance if something goes awry
- Having the rest of your plumbing evaluated
Common Cause #1: Worn-Out Washer or O-Ring
Washers are used in compression-style faucets, which require you to loosen the handle to release the water's flow. However, with age, they can wear out and crack, leading to water leaking.
Cartridge-style faucets use O-rings for a similar purpose. These rubber-like seals stop the water when you close the faucet. But, over time, the seal can fail.
The solution is to replace the worn-out part, but if you're not confident in your plumbing abilities, you should book a plumber.
Common Cause #2: Corroded Valve Seat
A valve seat is located at the base of the faucet handle. This component also helps control the flow of water through the faucet. Minerals in the water can corrode the seat and you'll start noticing water leaking around the handle.
A corroded valve seat needs to be replaced. A plumber will typically inspect the rest of the faucet while performing this fix. If other parts are also corroded, they may recommend a total faucet replacement.
Common Cause #3: A Faulty Cartridge
Some bathtub faucets use a cartridge to manage the water flow. When it wears out, you're likely to experience leaks.
For someone without plumbing experience, it can be difficult to disassemble a faucet enough to reach the cartridge, so if you suspect a faulty cartridge, seek help from a professional.
Common Cause #4: High Water Pressure
High water pressure in your system causes extra strain on the entire plumbing system. Over time, this can contribute to broken seals, gaskets, and other components. To stop the problem, you likely need a pressure-regulating valve installed by a professional.
Other Common Causes
There could be other common culprits for a tub faucet leaking, such as:
- Loose connections. If there's a loose connection somewhere, your faucet may not be able to fully cut off the water supply and might leak.
- Too-tight connections. When you have connections that are too tight, they can put unnecessary strain on components that lead to cracking and leaking.
- Improper installation. If your faucet was installed only recently and is already leaking, there may have been a problem with the installation. The pros at Ranshaw can help you identify what went wrong and repair or replace the faucet.
- Hard water buildup. In addition to potentially corroding parts in your faucet, hard water buildup can also create clogs in its aerator, resulting in water backing up and slowly draining over time.
No matter the cause, a call to your plumber on speed dial is essential when you have a leaky faucet. The team at Ranshaw can get that leak stopped quickly and efficiently.
Let Ranshaw Help With That Next Repair!
With over 60 years of experience, we've accrued a 4.8/5-star rating on Google. When you need kitchen and bathroom faucet repairs, contact the team at Ranshaw so we can get the job done right the first time.