Urgent Major Problem....Broken Tub Handle!!!

[purplestar]

My problem is my hot water handle is either stripped or something wrong with the stem! The knob keeps turning but can't shut water off anymore! I have tried taking the handle off and using pliers to try to shut it off but doesn't work neither! Right now I have the hot water shut off at the hot water tank so any help would be greatful!!

[majakdragon]

purplestar,
Welcome to the DIY Forums.
Sounds like the washer on the end of the stem is gone. You'll have to take apart the handle and on the end there should be a rubber washer. Remove whats left, if any, and replace the washer. Should be a screw holding it on. Good luck.

[purplestar]

Okay I've taken the handle completely apart and don't see a rubber washer! I even took apart the cold handle which works fine and it doesn't have one neither! This is and old house and the faucets are also old! And now I have a knew problem! Since my hot water has been shut off all night my hot water line has froze so now I have no hot water at all anyways!

[majakdragon]

Hmmm. Compare what the cold water handle looks like in comparison to the hot. There has to be something different if the cold works. Rubber washers have been used for MANY years so I am amazed that yours does not have them. Look inside the faucet where the stem goes and see if perhaps the seating surface is gouged or scored. Good luck.

[purplestar]

I think the washer u r talkin about is behind the stem! I didn't go that far as pulling the stem out but a rubber peice did come out the faucet! Thanks for the help!

[594tough]

The rubber piece which came out of the faucet used to be the washer which turned off the water!.... You have to turn off your main water supply and remove the trim under the handle and unscrew the entire stem out of the body.