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How To Fix Leaking Shower Head?

3 February

What could be more irritating than the sound of constantly dripping water from your shower head?

If the annoying noise isn’t enough to make you mad, the thought of all that water going to waste could be. A dripping shower head may squander up to 3,000 gallons or 11000 litres of water every year. Additionally, if the leakage originates from your shower valve, it may also be seeping behind your bathroom walls.

This may develop into mould, dry rot, and dampness issues over time, which can be very unsafe and expensive to fix. So, it is best to address the problem as soon as you spot it.

Although a shower head can leak due to a faulty connection at the shower arm, the problem could also be with the shower head itself or the valve body.

We’ll look at the reasons behind why a shower faucet leaks and how to prevent it step by step!

Why Is Water Leaking From The Shower Head?

Person Removing Shower Head

Several factors, particularly the shower heads, might create leakage in your shower. The source of the problem may also be determined by checking where the water is dripping from.

Accordingly, a leaking showerhead, faucet or nozzle must be repaired immediately to avoid future plumbing issues and water wastage. Note that the leaking showerhead or faucet might occur even when no water is used. After turning off the faucet body, the shower head may trickle for a short while before stopping altogether. So, the very first step is to figure out why it’s leaking.

The following are some of the most prevalent causes of a leaky shower faucet:

You can repair the faucet washer kit if you have a compression faucet and the leakage continues. However, the easiest way to fix leaky shower faucets is to ascertain the type of shower and faucets you have installed. This ensures that you purchase the necessary tools and shower head replacements.

Limescale On Showerhead

Before You Begin The Repair Work

Before starting any repair work for a shower head drip, it is crucial to take some preparatory steps to ensure the process is safe and successful. The first step is to turn off the water supply to the showerhead to prevent water from flowing while you work on it.

Remove the showerhead using a wrench, and place a cloth under it to catch any remaining water. Inspect the showerhead for any visible damage or debris, and clean it thoroughly. Check the gasket and O-ring for any cracks or wear and replace them if necessary.

Gather the necessary tools and materials for the repair, such as Teflon tape, plumbers tape, and a new gasket or O-ring. It’s also recommended to wear gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself while working. By following these steps, you can ensure a safe and effective repair process for your leaky showerhead.

How To Fix A Leaky Shower Head?

Replacing Leaking Shower Head

Step 1: Turn Off The Supply And Ensure That The Entire Shower Head Is Clean

Turn off the water supply shut-off valve before you begin to prevent unwanted shocks later. Remove the shower head from the hose, but be careful not to damage the O-ring (gasket) or rubber washer, and soak it in alcohol for at least thirty minutes.

Clean it along with water and scrub any tenacious filth, grime, or mineral deposits with white vinegar, giving special care to the separate nozzles. Wash it once again, then set away the shower head.

Removing Shower Head

Step 2: Examine The Seal For Wear

The component that keeps water from leaking around your shower and hose is the O-ring or rubber washer. Examine it to determine whether it is old or broken, and repair it by wrapping thread-sealing tape around it.

Step 3: Replace The Shower Head And Switch The Water Back On

Reassemble your shower head, reconnect it to the hose, flip on the water supply, and switch on your shower head to flush away any leftover filth and grime. If this does not solve the problem and your shower is still leaking, proceed to step 4.

Step 4: Pay Attention To The Valve

Changing Shower Faucet Handle

If you’ve tried everything and your shower head still won’t stop dripping, there’s probably an issue with a lever in your shower faucets. If you have two taps, one for heated water and another for cold water, you must first establish which is trickling by testing the warmth of the dripping water.

Unscrew the tap handle and change rubber washers and O-rings to verify that you’ve done everything possible to remedy the problem. You can find all the required materials from a local hardware store.

When To Contact A Professional To Fix Shower Head Leaking?

If the problem continues or you need more convincing that you can handle it yourself, we recommend bringing in an expert. And that’s where Gold Coast Plumbing Company enters the scene.

Our services range from fixing blocked drains to installing a new shower head. Our Gold Coast plumbers can do a thorough inspection of your entire house, including the hot and cold water supply lines to determine the exact cause of why your shower head is leaking.

That brings us to the end of our guide on fixing a leaking shower head. Check out our article on four reasons your shower has low water pressure for more tips.