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Reassemble the faucet — Install New Valve Stems

Beginner4 hours

Part of project

Tub Faucet & Shower Valve Replacement: A Complete DIY Guide · Step 4 of 6

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In this video

Carefully reinsert the valve stem into the faucet body, ensuring proper alignment. Tighten the packing nut by hand initially, then use a wrench to snug it up, avoiding over-tightening. Reinstall the handle by putting in the screw behind it. Tighten the screw, ensuring the handle is secure.

Goal: Restore faucet functionality

  • Apply a small amount of plumber's grease to the valve stem threads to prevent future corrosion.

Used in this video

  • 14 mm wrench (brand: Not specified, Adjustable Wrench Size: Not specified) · optional — Tighten the packing nut.
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FAQs

What should I do if I can't find or turn off the main water supply to my house or apartment?

Locating and shutting off the main water supply is the most critical first step. If you can't find it, check your water heater for a shut-off valve, or contact your building manager or a professional plumber. Do not proceed with the project until the water supply is completely off to avoid significant water damage.

Besides the screwdriver and adjustable wrench, are there any other essential supplies or tools I might need for this tub faucet replacement?

Yes, it's highly recommended to have plumber's tape (Teflon tape) for sealing threads, penetrating oil for loosening stuck or corroded old parts, and a small wire brush for cleaning debris. You might also find a basin wrench helpful for reaching nuts in tight spaces behind the tub wall.

I've replaced everything and turned the water back on, but the faucet is still leaking. What should I check first?

First, re-check that the new valve stems are fully seated and securely tightened, but not overtightened. Ensure all O-rings are correctly positioned and intact, as a misplaced or damaged O-ring is a common cause of leaks. Also, verify that the connections to the water supply lines are tight and sealed with plumber's tape.

Is 4 hours a realistic estimate for a complete beginner, or should I budget more time, especially if I encounter stuck parts?

While 4 hours is a good estimate for someone with some DIY experience and no major issues, a complete beginner should budget more, perhaps 6-8 hours. Encountering corroded or stuck parts, or making unexpected trips to the hardware store for forgotten items, can significantly extend the project time.

Transcript
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it and tighten it again sometimes if you just turn it like this it'll help push it in place and hold it like this take your wrench and try tightening this just to get it to start threading in sometimes it's hard to get the threads going so started here give it a push and then put some pressure on to try to get their threads to catch where's the thread sketchy trouble is sometimes you gotta see how it's gonna see right now it's stopping up here I want it to stop down there so what that means is I gotta pull this back out and give that thread one full turn so I take this out and when it starts catching the thread like saying here here's where it's catching a thread I'll give it one full turn like that or half a turn underneath degrees and then try to get it going and you see that mom helps it then I hope you can see this in my hands not in the way push some pressure on here and that helps to get the threads going push this to give some pressure on it to help thread it yeah so it's good and now you see it's gonna stop at the bottom where I want it to stop do you like it to stop at the top you could have left it as it was but personally I find it easier yeah not too tight yeah the tighter you make it the harder is to operate this so I'll loosen that a little bit there you see that's a lot easier so now you see how it stops here for me it's easier to just push it down here and give it some pressure so

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