Are you having a leaky two handle faucet in your shower? Then, you will be basically throwing away some money from the gallons of water that will be wasted through the leak. And if the problem involves hot water, then you will also be wasting energy along with it. That is why it is very important to know how to fix a two handle shower faucet yourself as quickly as possible to prevent wasting any water and energy. Here are the steps to take:
1. Do The Initial Preparations.
Before you start removing anything, first get the water supply to your shower cut off. If you cannot find the water supply valve underneath the sink, then you can instead turn off the water supply for your entire house.
2. Remove The Handles.
Above the faucet, you will find a metal cap, which you should pop off. You can do this by prying it gently with a flat-head screwdriver. After removing this piece, you will then have access to a screw that you will also need to remove to be able to remove the faucet handles properly. If the handles do not come right off, then you might need to use your screwdriver to pry them.
3. Remove The Stem.
After removing the handles, remove the bonnet nut properly by turning it counterclockwise. Underneath the nut will be the stem, which you should also remove properly by turning it counterclockwise.
4. Replace The Washer.
At the bottom of the stem, you will find a screw with a washer. You have to remove this old washer and replace it with a new one. Make sure that you coat the new washer lightly with petroleum jelly before screwing it into place. If you are working with an O ring, then you can simply perform the same method.
5. Do The Finishing Touches.
Once you have successfully replaced the old washers or O rings, it is time to reassemble the faucet. To do this properly, you will just have to reverse the steps that you performed in taking it apart. Once you have put back together the faucet, turn the water supply back on to check for any leaks
Working with a Cartridge Faucet
If you are working with a cartridge faucet, then the repair method is not that different from working with a compression faucet. You can start by turning the water supply off and then popping off the metal cap resting above the faucet. By the time you get to the retaining nut, you need to use a crescent wrench to be able to twist it counterclockwise and remove it properly. With a pair of pliers, twist the cartridge stem to remove it. Then, remove the O rings using a screwdriver and then replace them with new ones, which should also be coated before you screw them back in place. Using the screwdriver, pry out the retaining clip, which is located at the base of the sprout. To reassemble the faucet, perform the steps in a reverse manner. Turn the water supply back on to check for any leaks.
