Wow, it seems that the rubber seal (seat) is not being fully pressed down (or not staying fully down) in its proper position on top of the spring.

Make sure that the spring is right-side up (narrow end up) and that the retainer nut is fully tightened, to hold the stem all the way down.

Secret tip- use plumber's grease (petroleum jelly, in a pinch) to lubricate the seat and bottom of stem and threads on the retainer nuts. That will help the bottom sealing surface of the stem glide smoothly over the seat without catching on it. On the nut, it will help ensure you truly have it screwed down all the way.

Answer from Jimmy Fix-it on Stack Exchange
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/plumbing › delta bathtub faucet still leaking after new cartridge, spring and rubber gasket.
r/Plumbing on Reddit: Delta bathtub faucet still leaking after new cartridge, spring and rubber gasket.
October 24, 2022 -

I’m not a plumber but I’m usually handy. Today I’m stumped. I underestimated how over-engineered delta stuff is.

The faucet keeps dripping.

I started by replacing the rubber gasket and spring ( picture attached ) that didn’t fix it. I replaced the whole cartridge with an original delta and the handle now moves extra smoothly but the faucet still drips.

Help! I don’t want to tear up the wall! What else can I try before having to do that?

🌐
Deltafaucet
deltafaucet.ca › service-parts › frequently-asked-questions › leaks
Leaks - Service & Parts FAQ
Welcome to the Delta Faucet Frequently Asked Questions page. Here, you will find the answers to commonly asked questions about our products, technologies and designs. Use the category links below to jump to a specific subject.
🌐
JustAnswer
justanswer.com › plumbing › n31ov-delta-monitor-tub-shower-faucet-water.html
Delta Monitor Faucet Dripping? Expert Troubleshooting Guide
Monitor faucet leaks often stem from worn cartridge seals or mineral buildup causing drips. A dripping Delta Monitor tub/shower faucet usually indicates a faulty cartridge. Turn off water supply, remove the handle and escutcheon to access the ...
🌐
DoItYourself.com
doityourself.com › doityourself.com community forums › plumbing, piping, water heating, wells, air & water filtration and conditioning › plumbing and piping › leaking delta single handle bathtub faucet
Leaking delta single handle bathtub faucet - DoItYourself.com Community Forums
February 19, 2002 - The faucet is leaking in the upstairs bathtub, I turned off the water, dismantled the handle assembly, removed the stem. All the while, the faucet is still dripping, shouldn't the dripping have stopped once all the above was done? Could the leaking be due to the diversion valve? ... Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation ... The valve where you "turned off" the water is apparently leaking. Is your Delta faucet a standard ball-type faucet?
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/homemaintenance › delta bathtub faucet leaking advice
r/HomeMaintenance on Reddit: Delta bathtub faucet leaking advice
October 4, 2024 -

I have an older Delta faucet in my bathtub that’s leaking. I confirmed is not the cartridge replaceable one, but haven’t troubleshot more from there.

🌐
DIY Home Improvement
diychatroom.com › home › forums › home improvement › plumbing
Leaky Delta bathtub faucet | DIY Home Improvement Forum
If you don't have the Delta repair kit tool with the set screw Allen wrench on one end and the double prongs on the other end for adjusting the ring, insert the tips of a pair of needle-nose pliers in the two slots and turn it clockwise to tighten it slightly (with the water ON). Tighten it just enough to stop all leaking. If you tighten it too much, the faucet will be hard of operate and you'll wear out the internal parts faster, especially the seats and springs.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/plumbing › repair help: leaking delta single handle bathtub faucet
r/Plumbing on Reddit: Repair Help: Leaking Delta Single Handle Bathtub faucet
September 15, 2022 - I had to eventually replace the cartridge to get the thing to stop leaking. honestly for the cost - just replace the gaskets and cartridge both at the same time. You’ll end up spending more if you try to go cheap. They sell replacements at · Home Depot or Amazon. ... Delta only makes a couple versions and they're all different colors, just take it appart and take a pic then go match it at HD
Find elsewhere
🌐
Terry Love
terrylove.com › home › forums
Delta 2600 & 2800 Three handle bathtub faucet leaking
January 15, 2021 - Terry Love Plumbing Advice, Remodel DIY & Professional Forum. The best plumbing forums in the USA and Canada. A place for home owners to ask questions and for professionals to share information.
🌐
Quora
quora.com › How-do-I-fix-a-leaky-bathtub-faucet-single-handle-delta
How to fix a leaky bathtub faucet single handle delta - Quora
Answer: To fix the leak you will need to replace the valve cartridge that is behind the trim plate. The cartridge will come with some additional small washers that will get replaced at the same time.
🌐
TikTok
tiktok.com › discover › how-to-fix-a-leaking-delta-bathtub-faucet
How to Fix A Leaking Delta Bathtub Faucet
August 18, 2025 - TikTok · Log in · Search · For You · Explore · Following · Upload · Profile
🌐
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › diy projects & ideas › home improvement ideas › diy plumbing
How to Fix a Leaking Bathtub Faucet - The Home Depot
May 6, 2025 - A worn seal on the threads of a short length of pipe leading to the spout may be one more reason for a leaking faucet. The first step is to remove the faucet spout. The spout is either a thread-on spout that can be screwed on and off, or a set-screw spout. A small hexagon screw underneath the ...
🌐
AP Plumbing
applumbing.com › blog › how-to-fix-a-leaky-bathtub-faucet
How To Fix A Leaky Bathtub Faucet - AP Plumbing
October 20, 2025 - Don’t let a leaky bathtub faucet control your water flow — take action today and contact us to schedule your repair! Keep Reading · Keep Reading · Keep Reading · Request Service · Keep Reading · Keep Reading · Keep Reading · Available for residential clients · Certified Delta Service Provider ·
🌐
Plumbing Forums
plumbingforums.com › general plumbing discussion › showers & tubs
Help with Delta Tub/Shower Handle leak | Plumbing Forums - Professional & DIY Plumbing Forum
January 16, 2021 - Turn the water back on and open the faucetand make the stainless peg stick straight out and snug the adjustment ring down once more, but don’t over do it. Reinstall the handle. That adjustment rings applies pressure to the entire assembly inside the faucet. If it’s not adjusted properly the faucet could leak out of the spout and or under the handle around the stem. Delta needs to leave things alone.
🌐
Delta Faucet
deltafaucet.com › node › 858
What do I do if my single-lever tub or shower leaks under the handle? | Delta Faucet
Tighten the adjusting ring until no water leaks around the stem when the faucet is in the full-on hot and cold mixed position and pressure is exerted down on the handle. Loosening and tightening the adjusting ring also controls how hard or easy ...
🌐
Wikihow
wikihow.com › home and garden › home maintenance › simple ways to fix a leaky delta bathroom sink faucet
Simple Ways to Fix a Leaky Delta Bathroom Sink Faucet
March 10, 2025 - If the leak is coming from the base of the faucet handle, definitely replace the entire cartridge instead of just the O-rings. ... Take the old parts to a hardware store to get replacements.
🌐
Vintage Tub & Bath
vintagetub.com › how-to-guides › how-to-fix-a-leaky-bathtub-faucet
How to Fix a Leaky Bathtub Faucet | Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet with easy steps for removing the handle, replacing washers or cartridges, and stopping drips. DIY faucet repair made simple.
🌐
Plumbing Deals
plumbing-deals.com › home › plumbing blog, plumbing tips, basic plumbing knowledge › how to fix a leaking delta faucet – full repair guide
How to Fix a Leaking Delta Faucet – Full Repair Guide - Plumbing Deals
In the video, I highlight a dripping faucet from the spout.This issue is often caused by worn-out internal seals or cartridges or in our case seats and springs. ... Allen wrench or hex key (we recommend this Delta Set Screw & Allen Wrench, if ...