Our house that we have rented out the spout for the shower is leaking. It started a drip but now it seems to be a constant stream of water coming out. They said the only way to get it to stop was to remove the handle and turn the actual plumbing with a pliers. Do you think that replacing the handle will resolve this?

 

Breaking what in the process?? Sure am glad I don't know who "they" are. You will most likely be replacing a cartridge or washer depending on the type of valve set up you have. Is your handle loose on the stem? Can you post a picture or two of the handle set up? Don't twist anything with pliers in the meantime. We'll get you going.

 

I'm having trouble with the terminology. What exactly are you calling a spout?

There is a tub spout which is where water comes out to fill the tub and many have a lever you pull up to send water to the shower head.

There is a shower arm which is the pipe protruding from the wall and is what the shower head is attached to.

What handle is being removed? Does the faucet have three knobs and one controls whether or not water goes to the tub or shower? If so, and the tenant has been removing the knob and using pliers then it may be too late for a new handle. It may need a new valve stem if they've buggered the spline with the pliers. The problem probably started when the knob came loose or it's internal spline wollowed out. At that point replacing the knob or tightening the screw holding it in place might have worked.