How to Remove a Stuck Tub Filler
4 Materials
$10
10 Minutes
Easy
DIY the easy way!
So say you've got a tub filler and you need to remove it for one reason or another. But darn if it isn't stuck on there like nobody's business! It just will not come off and it seems an impossible feat.
Last time I tried this, here's how I ended up. I twisted the copper pipe leading into the tub filler. Thank goodness I was removing all the plumbing anyway. But there's gotta be a way, right?! If it goes on, it's gotta come off, right?!
There are two types of tub fillers, slip on and threaded. You have a slip on if there's a set screw underneath and you have a threaded one if you don't (aka, the impossible to remove kind).
After trying trick after tip after tip after trick, not a darn thing would work. It was so beyond frustrating, I can't even begin to tell you.
By the way, if you need to get drain parts out that are tough to move, use something like a scrap piece of conduit as leverage.
Oh and if you need to remove some water lines, take red and blue Sharpies and color on the lines. That way you'll never get them mixed up when you go to reinstall them.
There are so many great tips and tricks over on my blog, Flipping the Flip, you should come on by for a read!
How did I remove it? A simple hair dryer. If you have a heat gun, that will do it too, probably faster. Heat the end of the tub filler with the dryer for a few minutes.
I used a scrap piece of rubber I had and a pair of channel locks, gave it a counter clockwise twist and poof, it moved! Utterly unbelievable! My jaw hit the floor!
When typing this up, it says, "what did you do next" and I fill in the blank. I about passed out is what I did next. I could absolutely not believe I got this tub filler off so easily and unharmed. And it will go back on! Try it next time you run into a problem!
Be sure to click the link below for this and much more!
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Comments
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2 comments
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I have a leaky bath tub single handle faucet and need to fix it. Losing over 5 quarts of water a day
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Oh my gosh, that's a load of water to lose! I hope you get that squared away soon!
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Frequently asked questions
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You mentioned heat up at the end of faucet. Is the end the part that meets the wall or where the water comes out?