Water is a very precious resource. We don’t have an unlimited supply of it. So a leaky shower head is a very dangerous proposition. It can result in excessive quantities of water being used.
That is why you should fix a leaking shower head as quickly as you can. If you’re unfamiliar with handheld shower heads, this can pose a bit of a challenge.
But have no fear, our step-by-step guide is here!
Here’s How to Fix a Leaky Showerhead:
Firstly, it is important to understand the most common cause of a leaking shower head. That way you can look for this cause and fix it right away. Shower heads always have a rubber washer inside. This keeps the water from leaking out.
But it can get worn down over time. Especially if you don’t clean your shower head regularly. Even with regular cleaning the rubber will dry out and get cracked. So replacing the washer is the most effective way of to get rid of a leaky shower head.
Step 1 – Remove Shower Head
The washer is located inside the shower head. So it would help if you unscrewed it to access it. If your shower head hasn’t been removed for a really long time, you might need a tool to unscrew it. A wrench or some pliers will be all you need.
But most shower heads can be unscrewed without needing any tools. Give it a turn to see if it gives. If there is movement, complete the rest of the unscrewing by hand.
Step 2 – Check and Replace Washer
The washer will look visibly dry if it has been damaged. Take it out with a pair of nose pliers. Or some other tool that is similarly delicate. Wash the interior of your shower head after removing the rubber O-ring. Then replace it with a new one.
Make sure that you place it in the right spot. If the O-ring is off-center it would cause an even greater leak. Line the O-ring up with the flow restrictor.
Otherwise, you won’t get the right amount of water pressure. And this will also cause undue strain on your shower head.
How to Check Shower Faucet for Leaks
If you replace the washer but you still come up with a leaky shower head, the problem might be in your faucet. Here’s how you can fix it:
Step 1 – Disassemble Faucet
- Turn off your water supply before doing this step. Disassembly can differ based on faucet type.
- Unscrew the valves with a wrench. You will notice two nuts beneath the guards. Unscrew either one of them.
- Then you will be able to access the shower stem.
- You can now unscrew the stem. It’s similar to unscrewing a Shower emitter. Because you just need to turn it in an anticlockwise direction.
Step 2 – Replace All the Washers
The shower stem will have multiple washers in it. Any one of them could be causing the leak. But you should replace all of them just in case.
Finding the broken washer will take up far too much time. And if one is damaged, the others will be close to getting damaged as well. So it makes sense for you to replace all of them. This is a surefire way to fix a leaky shower head.
Why does my shower head drip hours after I turn it off?
It’s normal for your shower to drip right after you turn it off. This is just the water still inside the shower head coming out. Eventually the dripping should stop.
But if it doesn’t, that suggests a valve problem. Take off the faucet to reveal the valve. Then replace the one that’s leaking.
How much does it cost to fix a leaking shower head?
There are several ways in which a Shower outlet can start to leak. Most of these leaks are really easy to fix. Usually, all you’re going to need is a replacement washer. Which comes quite cheap.
You can buy a whole set of washers for just $5 dollars. Which is a really low price for fixing such an essential part of your bathroom.
But in some cases you might need to replace a leaky valve. A valve and stem set can cost anywhere from $200 to $300 dollars.
Can you replace the shower cartridge without turning off the water?
Technically you don’t need to turn the water off for any repair-related reason. The only reason people recommend turning the water off is for practical purposes. When you try to replace the shower cartridge with the water still on, it will start rushing out.
Pretty soon you will have a small flood on your hands. Which can cause a great deal of damage to your home. If you want to avoid this damage you might do better to just turn the main water supply off. It can also make the replacement process hassle-free. Read full articles: How long does a delta shower cartridge last.
Can you over-tighten a shower head?
This is definitely a major concern. You don’t want to leave your shower head loose of course. Because water will start to leak out of the sides. But over-tightening is perhaps even worse. Since it can actually damage the Shower cap.
All Shower fixtures have little threads along the connector. These threads keep the water flowing without it leaking out. Tightening the Shower rain head do much can damage or sometimes even sever these threads. Which is a much bigger problem.
You would start to get a leak that would be far more difficult to fix. Shower threads are not easy to replace after all.
Why won’t my shower stop running?
Your shower needs a properly functioning valve to turn on or off. A shower that doesn’t stop running probably has a faulty valve.
Just replace the valve and the issue will be fixed. Alternatively, a faulty faucet or cartridge could be the source of the problem as well.
You’re going to have to disassemble your shower and take a closer look at the problem. Make sure that you have located the true reason for your shower not turning off. After that, you just need to replace the part that has broken down.
Sometimes multiple parts stop working at the same time. Replace all of them if you want a permanent solution.
How do I fix a leaking tap without turning off the water?
Most of the time your tap would leak because it’s too loose, which is why you don’t have to turn the water off to fix it. Just tighten the tap and see if the leak continues. If it does, the problem runs a bit deeper, and turning the water off would be necessary.
But usually just giving the tap a few good twists will get the job done. Cover the tap with a rag before turning it to avoid scuffing it up.