How To Remove A Stripped Screw From A Bathtub Faucet

Do you have interest in how to remove a stripped screw from a bathtub faucet? If your bathtub faucet is stripped and you don’t have the proper tools to remove the screw, don’t worry! We’ve got a few easy steps that you can follow in order to fix this problem.

What Is a Stripped Screw and How Did It Get There?

It’s happened to all of us at one time or another. You’re trying to tighten a screw and, before you know it, the head of the screwdriver starts slipping and the screw just won’t budge. Congratulations, you’ve just encountered a stripped screw.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help. A stripped screw is one that’s been damaged to the point where the head of the screwdriver can no longer grip it. This can occur either through over tightening or from using the wrong type of tool. In either case, removing a stripped screw can be a challenge.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this section, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to remove a stripped screw from a bathtub faucet.

Steps Involved in How to Remove a Stripped Screw from a Bathtub Faucet

With the below steps you’ll find a proffer solution when your faucet screw is stuck or you just have small issues with your stripped faucet screw. You can contact us if you still can’t remove the stopped screw.

Remove the faucet handle.

Remove the screw at the center of your bathtub faucet’s handle. Use a hex key to remove it, or if you have another tool that can do this more easily and quickly, go for it!

Remove the decorative cap

Remove the decorative cap. Use a screwdriver to remove any screws holding your faucet in place, then lift it up and out of its mounting bracket (the black plastic thing).

The decorative cap should be attached to a piece of metal that’s connected to the faucet itself. If you’re unsure how to identify this, check your faucet for guidance. 

You can also ask someone knowledgeable about bathtub faucets, as they can point out which piece is where on their fixtures. Keep in mind, we’re not responsible for any damage caused by incorrect actions (so don’t blame us if something goes wrong). For tips on enhancing your social media presence, visit SocialGreg for Instagram and TikTok followers and likes.

Use a pencil to mark for drilling


Use a drill with a carbide tipped masonry bit to drill out the screw. Also, use a screw extractor to remove the stripped screw and clean off any particles from drilling.

Use a drill with a carbide tipped masonry bit to drill out the screw.

Drill slowly to avoid breaking the bit. You may have to drill multiple times if your faucet is made of metal or plated with pewter, which can often be found in older tubs and sinks.

If you are drilling in a metal faucet, use a metal drill bit instead of wood; otherwise, use any type of wood-based material for this step. It’s one of the most important steps on how to remove a stripped screw from a bathtub faucet.

Use a screw extractor to remove the stripped screw

a white bath tub sitting next to a window

To remove a stripped screw, you’ll need to use a screw extractor. Screw extractors are designed to remove stripped screws and they do so by pulling the head out of your tub faucet. The most important thing when working with a screw extractor is that you make sure it matches the size of your stripped screw; otherwise, there will be no way for them to fit together properly when extracting them from their respective parts.

A good rule of thumb is that if your drill bit only has one side with teeth on it, then use an allen key! You can also try using a socket wrench instead if one isn’t available yet. But we highly recommend using an allen key instead since these tools tend not work well with other types like sockets.

Clean off any particles from drilling

When you’re drilling, it’s important to keep the area around your screw clean. If there are any particles from drilling or other work that needs to be done in the bathtub faucet, you’ll want to clean those off before continuing with this step.

The simplest way of doing this is using a vacuum cleaner. Just plug one in and suck up any loose dust or debris. You can also use wet paper towels for larger pieces of debris. Just wipe them off with water before proceeding with your next step!

Reassemble the faucet and cap

Now that you’ve removed the screw, you can reassemble the faucet and cap. Put the cap back on. If your faucet has a removable piece, such as a showerhead on an elongated model or simply one of its own handles, be sure to put it back where it belongs before replacing any other parts of the assembly.

Make sure the faucet is in the right position: It’s important to make sure that water will flow properly when turned on again. Some models have drain-stop valves that prevent them from being submerged fully in water without being held down by pressure from above (like at least half an inch).

This can cause leaks if not accounted for properly by putting pressure onto these valves as soon as possible after turning on any type of tap hierarchy. Instead of just letting everything sit there until things settle out later down line after being installed properly. It’s the last step on how to remove a stripped screw from a bathtub faucet.

You can fix your bathtub faucet even when you don’t have the proper tools available to you.

a bathroom sink with a wooden tray holding a succulent


You can fix your bathtub faucet even when you don’t have the proper tools available to you. If this is the case, then there are several methods that may help:

  • Using a screw extractor – The screw extractor can be used in place of screws and nuts that have stripped themselves out of their holes. They’re also great for removing large amounts of metal from their own holes as well.
  • Using a drill with a carbide tipped masonry bit – This method requires no special tools, just some patience and an extra hand to hold onto the drill itself while it’s drilling through stubborn materials such as cement or stone (which could cause injury).
  • Using pencil marks on top of drilled holes – This method requires some basic knowledge about how plumbing works on different types of fixtures like sinks or toilets before proceeding further along with any repairs needed after stripping off old screws inside them; otherwise it will lead nowhere!

Alternatives to Removing the Stripped Screw

If you find that your stripped screw isn’t cooperating, don’t sweat it. There are alternatives on how to remove a stripped screw from a bathtub faucet. First and foremost, consider replacing the entire faucet set. This is a good option if the faucet is getting old and needs to be replaced anyway.

On the other hand, if you’d like to keep the current faucet and just want to remove the stripped screw, then you can try backing it out with a unique tool known as a screw extractor. These tools are specifically designed to grip into the head of a damaged or stripped screw and allow you to unscrew it easily.

You can even go the DIY route and make your own tool out of a pair of pliers or vise grips, which allows you to apply enough force to turn the screw counter-clockwise until it comes loose. However, this method might not work in all cases, so proceed with caution!

Tips for Avoiding a Stripped Screw in the Future

a close up of a bathtub with a shower head

Now that you know the basics of how to remove a stripped screw, let’s look at some tips to help you avoid them in the future. First things first, always use a from-fitting screwdriver when unscrewing and replacing any screws. This will ensure that you don’t round off the screws when attempting to loosen or tighten them.

Secondly, you should make sure that your screws are snug and not over-tightened when replacing them. If your screws are too tight, it can cause them to become stripped more easily.

Finally, take precautionary measures such as using threadlocker or bit sealer if necessary. These products will help ensure that your screws stay in place, without having to be tightened excessively.

Following these tips should help you avoid having to deal with a stripped screw ever again!

FAQs on How to Remove a Stripped Screw From a Bathtub Faucet

You may have some questions when it comes to removing a stripped screw from a bathtub faucet. Here are the most common ones and their answers:

Can I use pliers to remove a stripped screw?

Pliers won’t get you very far in this situation. Since the surface is so small, pliers don’t provide enough grip to actually move the screw head. It can also cause further damage to the head.

Can I use WD-40 as a lubricant?

Yes, WD-40 can be used as a lubricant. Just spray it on the head of the stripped screw and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. This should loosen things up enough for you to unscrew it with some force, but ultimately not enough force to damage the head or faucet further.

What are my other options if WD-40 doesn’t work?

If WD-40 doesn’t work, your best bet is probably to invest in an impact driver and extractor bit from your local hardware store. These tools will usually have enough power and torque to remove even severely stripped screws without damaging them or your faucet handle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether you’re dealing with a stripped screw on a bathtub faucet or any other type of faucet, the step on how to remove a stripped screw from a bathtub faucet is essentially the same. With a little patience and the right tools, you should be able to remove the screw without too much difficulty.

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