Hey everyone! I'm currently renting an old house that was built in 1920, and I've run into a bit of a situation. The entire tub faucet system, along with the knobs for controlling the water, has detached from the wall, creating about a 1/4 inch gap where it used to be secured. Since I'm a renter, I'm not entirely sure what I'm allowed to do myself versus what my landlord should handle. I want to make sure I'm approaching this correctly. To give you some background, I've just recently left an abusive marriage and I'm starting a new chapter in my life. I'm open to learning about home repairs, although I'm not very experienced. Given the age of the plumbing, I'm sure there will be a lot to learn. I'm looking for advice on the following:
1. What could cause this issue (like old plumbing or rotted walls)?
2. What repairs should I attempt as a renter, if any?
3. How should I communicate this problem to my landlord?
4. Is this likely a quick fix, or could it turn into a bigger project?
I really appreciate any advice you can offer! Thanks a bunch!
3 Answers
As a landlord, I can tell you, tackling plumbing or electrical jobs as a tenant isn't a good idea—too high a risk of causing more damage! It's definitely your landlord's responsibility to fix that. However, I think it's great that you want to learn and be self-sufficient! Maybe start with smaller projects like painting or basic maintenance—just make sure to ask your landlord first. Building those skills can be really empowering, especially as you settle into your new space.
From what you described, it seems like the fixtures might have just detached. Normally, the faucet is threaded, so it could potentially just be rotated back on. The knobs often have screws or hex keys hidden behind a cover plate. But really, this is fully on the landlord to fix, especially if you're not familiar with plumbing. It's best to let them handle it to avoid any issues, and it sounds like you're wise to reach out to them instead of trying to DIY it.
That makes a lot of sense! I really appreciate the breakdown. I'll definitely contact my landlord.
It sounds like this is definitely something your landlord should take care of. As a tenant, you don't have the responsibility to fix things that aren't your fault. I recommend reaching out to your landlord and explaining that the faucet system has come loose. They should handle it from there!
Many thanks for the reassurance!
Thank you for the encouraging words! I'm glad to hear plumbing is better left to the pros, and I'll focus on smaller, manageable projects for now.