
The rhythmic drip of a leaky shower head may keep you up at night. The problem is not just an inconvenience. Even though a drop of water might not seem much, a shower head dripping every three seconds wastes 700 gallons in a year. Your money literally goes down the drain if your community charges residents for water usage. Fixing your leaky shower head will save you time and money.
It’s possible that a leaky shower head is caused by a broken joint in the shower arm, the angled pipe which holds the head and leads to the wall. However, the most common problem lies with either the showerhead or the valve controlling the shower.
Before You Begin
If a showerhead’s description is “leaking,” this can refer to one of two situations. You may experience a shower in which the water stream dribbles rather than spraying when the faucet is turned on. If you see this happening, it is usually due to a buildup of lime or sediment in the showerhead’s holes, which prevents water from flowing freely. The problem will usually develop over several weeks if this is the case. The water stream slowly weakens, until it is more of a dribble rather than a spray.
This is not a leaky showerhead. It’s one that’s no longer flowing properly. This is a very simple repair, which involves removing the showerhead and cleaning it. You can also replace the shower head as it is a relatively simple repair.
Showers can leak, allowing water to flow when the faucet is turned off. Shower Heads that leak are usually caused by a problem with the cartridge in the valve. This is the component which controls the flow of water and the mix between hot and cold through the faucet and out to the showerhead or bathtub spout. To fix this, disassemble the faucet to replace the cartridge that is causing the water flow problems. It is a simple DIY project that will need to be done for every shower.
If you need to repair the shower faucet, start by checking the showerhead. Then move on to the cartridge if needed.
What you’ll need
Equipment and Tools
- Small scrub brush
- Plastic bowl
- If needed, channel-lock pliers
- Hex wrench set
- Screwdrivers
- Utility Knife
Materials
- White Vinegar
- Thread-sealing Tape
- Shower cartridge replacement
- Towel (if required)
Instructions
How to Service the Shower Head
- Remove the shower head
The shower handle should be in the OFF (fully off) position. The showerhead should not drip water. If it does, skip to the next repair “How to Replace the Cartridge”.
Remove the showerhead manually by rotating it anti-clockwise and removing the threaded end from the shower arm. Use a wet towel to help you grip the showerhead if necessary. It may be necessary in rare cases to use channel lock pliers to remove a shower head. However, this is usually a sign of an old shower head with corroded parts that should be replaced. - Check and clean the shower head
You will find rubber O-rings, a screen and possibly other parts inside the showerhead. Check that the O-rings are not damaged and do not have sediment on them. If you want to clean the shower head , submerge it for an hour in a white vinegar bowl. Before reassembling the parts, rinse them with cold water. - Wrap pipe threads
The threads on the shower arm can be cleaned with a small brush. Wrap the threads in one or two loops thread-sealing, also known as Teflon tape. Wrap the tape clockwise, as you view the end of your shower arm. - Showerhead Reassemble
Hand tighten the shower head onto the shower arm. Watch the performance of the water stream by turning on the shower faucet for a few seconds.
You can replace the entire shower head if the dribbling occurs only when the faucet’s ON. It is as simple as threading on the new head instead of reattaching your old one.
This post was written by Joey Denick. Joey is the Owner and Operator of Clog Kings. At Clog Kings, LLC, we pride ourselves on our dedication and efficiency. We know you don’t have time to waste. That’s why we work fast to get your home or commercial building back up and running in no time. If you are looking for a Plumber in Sarasota FL then look no further because we got you covered!