4 Ways to Fix a Leaking Shower Head

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

A leaky shower head is certainly very annoying and wasteful of water. There are many causes for a leaking shower head. However, to fix it you don't have to call a repairman. The solution is actually quite easy. To save a lot of repair costs, follow these tips to repair your shower head.

Step

Method 1 of 4: Cleaning Clogged Shower Head Hole

Step 1. Turn off the water supply to the shower

The shower head can leak because the holes are clogged so that lime and other mineral deposits build up. This is a good way to start a repair because it's easy, inexpensive, and you don't have to remove all of your shower fixtures. Turn off the water supply before starting.

This can be done in two ways: find and close the valve to the bathroom or turn off the main water valve.
It would be easier if the water valve to the bathroom was turned off than to cut off the water throughout the house.
The valve to the bathroom is usually near the shower or in the basement of the house.

Step 2. Remove the shower head plate or simply remove the entire shower head

The clogged shower head needs to be removed because it will be cleaned of lime and mineral deposits.

Remove the screw in the waterhole plate, if possible. If not, remove the entire shower head from the body. How to remove it depends on your shower model.
Generally, there are several screws surrounding the shower head plate. Once the screws are unscrewed, turn them counterclockwise or pull on the plate to remove them.

Step 3. Soak the plate or the entire shower head in the vinegar for 8 hours

Provide a container large enough to accommodate the shower head. If you have more than one sink, use one if it's big enough

Fill the container with enough white vinegar to cover the entire plate and shower head.
Set an alarm for the next 8 hours. While soaking, the vinegar will dissolve any deposits in the shower,

Step 4. Clean the remaining sediment manually

After 8 hours, most of the precipitate should have dissolved. Take a toothpick or small nail to remove any deposits that remain in the plate holes. After that, scrub with a stiff plastic brush.

You can also use an air compressor to gently blow the deposits off

Step 5. Check if the leak has been resolved

Reattach the shower head to the body. Reopen the water supply but don't open your shower faucet. If no more water drips from the shower head, the problem is solved. However, if the leak still occurs, proceed to the method below.

Method 2 of 4: Replacing Worn Rubber Cover Rings

Step 1. Turn off the water supply to the shower

The showerhead can also leak because the sealing ring is worn out. Over time, the sealing ring (or 'O' ring) will crack, allowing water to seep through the crack and cause a leak. Replacing the ring will solve the problem. Turn off the water supply through a valve located near the shower or in the basement of the house.

The O ring must be treated by applying a lubricant.
If your shower uses a compression faucet, which is a faucet that regulates hot and cold water separately, then you need to feel the water leaking from the shower is cold or hot water to know which faucet has a problem and needs repair..

Step 2. Determine which rubber ring needs to be replaced

You can replace the ring on the shower head or faucet. If you're using a compression faucet, aka a double tap, it's very likely that the ring that needs to be replaced is inside the faucet. If the shower has one faucet, the ring that needs to be replaced will almost certainly be on the shower head.

Step 3. Replace the rubber ring on the shower head

To replace it, remove the shower head and body then disassemble. Shower heads come in a variety of styles, but all models should have collar nuts attached to the shower body. The collar nut looks like a regular metal nut, but is longer. This nut has a neck/collar that is 1.5 times its diameter.

Use a wrench to loosen the nuts and remove the shower head from the body then disassemble it. Look for the rubber ring under the swivel ball of the shower head.
This rotating ball is made of metal and attaches directly to the shower head. This is the part that makes the shower head move. Look for a metal device that resembles a large nut with a metal ball at the end. If the ball can be spun like a shower head, then the ball has been found.
When the ring is found, pull it out, and replace it with a new ring of the same size and shape. For the shower to work properly, make sure the ring is exactly the same as the old one.

Step 4. Replace the rubber ring on the faucet

Disassemble the faucet to be repaired by unscrewing the screws. (Feel the water temperature to determine where the leak is coming from the hot or cold tap.)

Depending on the faucet model, the screw may be visible or hidden behind the faucet cover. If your faucet is an older model, the screws are usually on the front or side of the faucet. If the faucet is a new model, use a pocket knife to lift the faucet cover and the screws will be exposed.
When the screw is removed, pull the handle firmly so that it is off the faucet body. You may need a faucet puller, if it's too difficult by hand. Once the handle is off, remove the trim and sleeve covering the faucet stem. Then use the deep socket to remove the faucet stem. The faucet stem is held in place by a hexagon nut, so use the inner socket to remove it. A hexagon nut is a nut with six sides.
Now you can replace the rubber ring. If you purchased a faucet guard ring kit, you can also replace the flat ring guard on the end of the rod and the seal.

Step 5. Reinstall all parts of the shower to see if the problem is resolved

If the rubber ring on the shower head is replaced, replace the shower head and body, open the water supply and check whether there is still a leak or not.

If you replaced the rubber ring on the faucet, reinstall all parts of the faucet starting from the stem. Apply a small amount of grease to the threads, then put the faucet stem back on the pipe. Put the handle back on, but don't tighten it until the water supply is re-opened and the showerhead is sure it doesn't leak anymore

Method 3 of 4: Cleaning or Replacing a Faulty Diverter Valve

Step 1. Turn off the tap water supply to the bathroom

The drain valve allows the flow of water to change from the tub faucet to the shower head. Over time, these valves can weaken and become clogged with sediment deposits. A faulty drain valve will cause the shower to leak even when water should be flowing through the tub faucet. This valve can be repaired by cleaning or replacing it. Turn off the water supply first through the water valve to the bathroom or the main water valve to the rest of the house.

Step 2. Open the faucet handle so that the drain valve is visible

Look for your faucet handle screws, they are usually under the faucet cover. This cover can be removed using a small pocket knife.

Step 3. Remove the drain valve

The trick, you have to separate the parts of the faucet starting from the hexagon nut on the faucet stem.

Step 4. Clean or replace the drain valve

Once the drain valve is free, clean it using a small stiff wire brush and white vinegar. If the deposits have cleared, check the valves for cracks and signs of wear. If it is in good condition, allow the valve to dry. If there are cracks or wear on the valve, replace the faucet.

Step 5. Replace the faucet handle and determine if there is still a leak or not

To replace the faucet handle, just follow the previous steps in reverse order. Before screwing back in, open the water valve to the bathroom first to see if the leak has been fixed or not.

Method 4 of 4: Replacing a Faulty Cartridge Valve

Step 1. Turn off the water supply to your bathroom

In a single tap shower, a leak can be caused by this valve. If none of the previous methods worked for the leaky shower head, then you may need to replace the faucet cartridge valve. Before starting, turn off the water supply first through the water valve to the bathroom or the main valve to the rest of the house.

Step 2. Remove the faucet handle and locate the cartridge rod

This rod is usually under the cap on the handle. Once the screw is removed, the handle can be pulled out.

You might have a hard time pulling the handle off as it's quite sturdy. First, try heating the handle with a hairdryer. If you don't have a hairdryer or the handle is still hard to pull, go to a hardware store and buy a faucet handle puller.
Once the handle is removed, take the stop tube, then remove the cartridge retaining clip with a small screwdriver or pliers, and remove the protective ring from the handle. By now, you should be able to see the cartridge bar.

Step 3. Remove and replace the cartridge

The cartridge removal method differs depending on the model. In fact, it may even be that the cartridge you just purchased came with a cartridge opening tool. Usually, first the hexagon nut covering the cartridge stem is removed first. Unscrew the stem and remove it using pliers.

If pliers don't work, use a cartridge puller. Fit the puller over the cartridge rod and twist to loosen it. After that, use pliers to remove it.
Insert the new cartridge in its place, then reinstall it. New and old cartridges must match exactly.

Step 4. Rearrange the faucet handles and check your shower for leaks

To reattach the faucet handle, just follow the steps above but in reverse order. Once everything is in place, do not screw the faucet handle all the way down. Reopen the water supply to the bathroom and make sure the leak problem is resolved.

Tips

When buying a faucet part to be replaced, make sure the size and shape matches your shower model
Make sure the water supply is completely off before the faucet is repaired.
Before you start disassembling the shower, cover the floor of the room or bath and drain the contents to avoid damage and prevent small parts of the shower from being lost into the drains.