Short answer
To stop a dripping tub faucet, shut off the water, take off the handle and trim, and pull out the cartridge. A drip with the handle off almost always means it, or its washer, is worn. Take the old one to the hardware store for an exact match, put the new one in and turn the water back on slowly. Stuck cartridge or an old valve? Call a plumber.
How to fix a dripping bathtub faucet
1The spout drips with the handle off
A drip that never stops means water gets past the valve behind the handle. It is usually a worn cartridge or rubber washer.
Read all the steps
- The spout drips with the handle off. A drip that never stops means water gets past the valve behind the handle. It is usually a worn cartridge or rubber washer.
- Shut off the water first. Use the shut-off valves behind an access panel if your tub has them. If not, close the main water valve to the house.
- Take off the handle and the trim plate. Pop off the cap, remove the screw and pull the handle. Then unscrew the round trim plate. Put a towel in the tub so no screw goes down the drain.
- Pull the old cartridge and match it. Remove the retaining clip or nut and pull the cartridge straight out. Take it to the store, with the faucet brand, to get the exact one.
- New cartridge in, water on, no drip. Push the new one in the way the old one sat, put back the clip, the trim and the handle, then open the water slowly and test.
- Still not fixed? Call a plumber Especially if: the cartridge is stuck, or you cannot find a match for it.
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If it drips while the shower runs
Water coming out of the spout while the shower is on is a different problem: the diverter, the pull-up knob on the spout, is worn. On most tubs you replace the whole spout. It usually unscrews from the pipe, or comes off after you loosen a small screw underneath.
Older faucets with two or three handles
Older tubs with separate hot and cold handles use a stem with a rubber washer at the end. Turn off the water, unscrew the stem with a deep socket and replace the washer. Feel the drip: warm means the hot side. If the seat behind the washer is pitted, a plumber can replace it.
What not to do
- Do not crank the handle tighter to stop the drip. It wears the parts out faster.
- Do not force a stuck cartridge with pliers. A cartridge puller avoids damaging the valve in the wall.
- Do not turn the water back on fast. Open it slowly and check for leaks behind the trim.
When to call a plumber
- The cartridge is stuck, or you cannot find a match for it.
- It still drips after a new cartridge or washer.
- You see water stains on the ceiling below or on the wall behind the tub.
- There is no shut-off you can reach, or the main valve will not close.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my bathtub faucet dripping?
Almost always a worn cartridge or rubber washer in the valve behind the handle. Mineral buildup can also keep it from sealing.
How much water does a dripping faucet waste?
The EPA says a faucet dripping once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons a year. A tub spout that drips nonstop adds up fast.
Can I fix a dripping tub faucet myself?
Often, yes. With the water off it is mostly unscrewing parts and matching the cartridge. If the cartridge is stuck or the valve is old and corroded, a plumber is faster.
Do I need to turn off the main water to fix a tub faucet?
Only if the tub has no shut-off valves of its own. Look for an access panel behind the tub wall or in a closet; if there is none, close the main valve.
Why does my tub faucet drip after I turn off the shower?
A few drips right after a shower are just water left in the pipe. A drip that keeps going for more than a few minutes means a worn cartridge.
Sources
Checked October 24, 2026. Requirements and recommendations change: confirm them on the source site.