Do you normally experience challenges when replacing your bathtub? Well, you do not need to worry anymore. Many users indeed do face challenges when replacing the bathtub faucet that has a filter shower head.
This article will provide you all the information that you need to know about the same. The article will look into several factors that will be useful when changing this type of faucet.
It shall have a few FAQs that will answer all your pending questions. There will also be a conclusion about the topic. Please read on for more information.
Aging of faucets and filters.
It is common to have both the faucets and the filters becoming old and worn out. Several factors can lead to this character. These include:
- Too much exposure to hard water.
- Infection by rust. Rust comes from water, especially the salty type of water.
- Frequently tightening it using tools such as a wrench. Bathtub faucets are delicate, and their installation and or replacement does not require the use of tools in most cases.
- These tools can damage it and curtail its useful life.
- Frequent blocking due to large deposits of debris on the outlet.
- Failure of washers to contain water leading to leaking.
- Overuse of the faucet. When it is in to constant use, the faucet will age just like any other product.
- Breakdown of filters due to pressure.
You can save your faucet from these factors if you service it regularly. If, for example, you do not change the filters for long, it will eventually block.
When that happens, the faucet will be under intense pressure. If it reaches a point where it cannot take anymore, it will succumb and break down.
How to replace a bathtub faucet with filter shower head?
Doing the replacement is not a technical process. Those persons who have had an experience of doing it will find the process easier. On the other hand, it can be challenging for anyone who has never given it a try.
The requirements:
Before you begin the work, you will need to assemble all the tools and materials for the job. Luckily, it does not require much. Some of these things include:
- A new bathtub faucet.
- Set of filters.
- Pipe wrenches. This tool, however, can harm the tub faucet if you do not observe caution. Bathtub faucet is somehow delicate, and it does not require a lot of pressure installing/replacing.
- The pliers.
- Silicone caulk.
- Screwdrivers.
- A saw.
The procedure:
Turn the water off.
Do not attempt to replace the faucet or the filter when water is running. It will not give you a conducive environment to complete the task. Some material, such as the caulk also requires a dry environment to function.
Turn off the water, either from the main valve or from the one in the bathroom.
Remove the old faucet and check on the valves.
Loosen the screws that are holding the bathtub faucet. Use a screwdriver for this process. Be careful when you are removing the screws as it is easy to lose them.
Set aside any part from the old faucet that is still in good condition. You might need it at a later stage when carrying out repairs and maintenance on the bathtub faucet.
Open the showerhead and check on the condition of the filters.
Filters are valuable components of a bathtub faucet. Check on the condition of these filters in the old faucet. Place them in the new bathtub faucet if they are still looking good.
Alternatively, you can keep it for later days, where you can use it as spare parts. Filters can be costly, and hence you will not need to lose those that are still in good condition.
Handle the filters with a lot of care as they are easy to damage or break. Filters sieve off all the dirt and ensure that you get clean and safe water for use from the bathtub faucet.
Remove the bathtub trim.
It carries everything that concerns the old bathtub. It includes the handles, the spout, and the plate. After that, you will also need to put aside the spout from the trim. Use a screwdriver to complete this process. All these components are delicate, and they need a lot of care when removing it.
Detach the pipes.
At this stage, the old faucet still has the pipes attached to it. Disconnect the pipes from the old bathtub faucet so that you can connect it to the new set. Use the pipe cutter to do the cutting and do not cut near the valves because you may damage them.
Make the necessary changes.
It might not be a requirement since you are just changing the faucet. However, if need be, make these adjustments before proceeding further. You can make adjustments to any of the parts before proceeding with the task.
Reattach the spout.
Place the new one in place of the old one. Fasten it to place using the screwdrivers. Be careful not to over-tighten it as you may end up damaging parts of the system. Put back the bathtub together with its components. Replace the ones that are no longer functional or those with short lifespan.
Check the filter shower head.
You are at the tail end of the replacement. Check the showerhead to find out if the filters are still in good condition. You may need to replace some, all, or the entire shower head. Remove any form of dirt or solid matter that threatens to clog the tub.
Put back the showerhead.
When you clear the above exercise, install back the showerhead. Be careful so as not to damage the parts. Use your hand to tighten the showerhead in its place. Turn it in an anti-clockwise direction to tighten it.
Seal the system.
Use the silicone caulk, seal off any part of the system. All the connections will require silicone to keep water from leaking.
Test the bathtub faucet.
You will not know if you have done an excellent job unless you test the system. Open the water valve and run the water through the system for some time.
While the water is running, check on all the interconnections and confirm whether it is leaking or not. You will also need to check on the filters and the showerhead.
Before you conclude the work, make sure that everything is functioning, or even better than before. You will have done an excellent job if you achieve that target.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
How can I soften my bath water at home?
The easiest way to soften hard shower water at home is to add bath salts. These include sodium and potassium. Hard water contains calcium and magnesium ions. These components make it difficult for the soap to work. When sodium and potassium ions replace the hard components, it allows the soap to lather more easily.
We can, therefore, say that to soften bath water at home, you will need to introduce sodium and potassium ions to it.
Are the shower filters worth it?
They can either be worth it or not. It depends on the type of water.
Shower filters work well to remove chlorine and other chemicals in hard water. Such water, then, becomes soft and safe for the skin.
I cannot, however, rule out the importance of the filters because they make the water safe for use. The only exception is that you should not depend on it to clean your water completely.
Do shower head water filters work?
Yes. A shower filter works well. It eliminates substances such as chlorine and other hard chemicals from the bathwater. Whenever you are changing the filters, have a closer look at it. You will see the amount of dirt that it traps all the time.
Conclusion.
Doing a replacement of a bathtub faucet with filters is not a complicated process. You need to have all the required components before you start the job. Please follow all the steps without fail, and in the end, you will do an excellent job.