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REPAIR A DRIPPING SHOWERHEAD AND FAUCETS
A leaky, dripping showerhead is not only annoying, it wastes water. Before you call in a professional, this fairly common household problem may be relatively simple to fix by yourself (depending on the cause of the problem).
FIX THE SHOWERHEAD
Step 1: Turn Off Water
Shut off the water main to the whole house. Have a towel handy — your water main may be shut off, but there could still be some water left in the pipe that will come out.Step 2: Remove and Inspect
Remove the showerhead by unscrewing it from the pipe with your hands. If the head is stuck on tight (as they often are if they haven't been removed in a while), use pliers or a crescent wrench to unscrew it. Look at the threads inside the showerhead for a small plastic washer or rubber O-ring. It's often the wear and tear of age on this component that can cause a showerhead to leak and start dripping. Over time, it dries out and becomes brittle which decreases its ability to hold in water. If it looks worn or damaged, replace it.Helpful Tips
Place a towel or large rag on the shower floor to protect it from possible damage if you happen to drop a tool. Also cover the drain so that any of the small parts from the showerhead don't accidentally go down it.
Remember not to force anything. Whether you're taking off the showerhead or putting it back on, don't tighten it so tightly that you damage or crack something and then need to take on a larger project.
Step 3: Clean the Showerhead
Since you have the showerhead off, now is a good time to clean out the showerhead, especially if you've noticed decreased flow. Oftentimes, there can be mineral deposits or sediment left by hard water on the interior of the showerhead or at the pipe stem (where the pipe connects to the showerhead). This can significantly affect water pressure and flow and can contribute to a leaky showerhead.
In a small cooking pot or pan, mix water and three cups of vinegar and bring it to a boil. Once it's started to boil, turn off the heat. Place the showerhead (minus any rubber parts that can be removed) into the solution and let it sit for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Then remove, rinse and scrub the inside and outside jets with an old toothbrush; do this until no deposits remain.Step 4: Tape It Up
If the washer or O-ring looks okay or you've replaced it, the next step is to wrap the threads on the pipe stem with Teflon® tape. Don't overdo it with tape though. Wrap a thin strip around the threads at the very tip of the pipe stem.Step 5: Reattach the Showerhead
Screw the showerhead back on by hand-tightening it until you can't turn it anymore. Then use pliers to give it a final turn. Remember not to turn too hard or you could break the showerhead or pipe.Step 6: Turn On the Water
Turn the water back on and then run your shower for a few seconds. Turn it off. Wait a few minutes and then check to see if there still is a drip or leak.
FIX THE FAUCET
If you've fixed the showerhead and a leak persists, you may have a leak in the faucet. Usually, this is from a worn-out washer on the shower stem, which can easily be replaced. You don't need to call a plumber. Follow these steps to do it yourself.
Step 1: Cut Off Water
As you did with the showerhead, you will need to cut off the water supply to the shower at the water main. Next, open the faucet and let water drain out. Keep a towel on hand to soak up water that may be released from the pipes once you remove the faucet.Safety Alert!
Because you will be standing in the tub or shower to do this project, be sure that the floor surface is dry. Any moisture could cause you to slip and fall.
Step 2: Take the Faucet Apart
How you disassemble it depends on what kind of faucet you have: one-knob or two-knob style. If you have a two-knob system then you will need to replace both valves. Use a screwdriver and crescent wrench to unscrew the valves and remove the knobs or handles. Remove the guard and set it aside. You should see two nuts. Unscrew the larger of the two; only one of them needs to be unscrewed to reach the shower stem. Remove the shower stem by unscrewing it in a counterclockwise direction.Step 3: Replace Washers
The shower stem works with several washers. You should replace all of them while you've got the faucet disassembled to make sure you cover all your bases, regardless of their condition. Look for a rubber washer at the tail of the stem. This is called the seat washer. The rest of them — packing washers — are at the center of the stem.
Step 4: Put the Faucet Back Together
Clean the pipes with an old toothbrush and a cup of vinegar and water solution. Scrub away any mineral deposits you can see on the pipes. Reattach the shower stem. Screw in the valves and reattach the knobs. After you've reattached the faucet faceplate or escutcheons, seal where they touch the shower wall by applying caulk around the entire plate.
REPLACE THE FAUCET
If neither fixing the showerhead nor the faucet has dried up the drip, it may be time to swap your old faucet for a new one. While this project may be more involved, sometimes it is the only way to cure an ailing shower. Often this is a job for a licensed plumber, but it's not impossible for a layman. While different faucets require different methods of replacement, below is a general guide for the most common faucets.
Step 1: Find a Replacement
Shower faucets come in many styles and sizes. Not all are interchangeable, so you need to find the correct replacement. Note that there are general guidelines (outlined in this project), but it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions to be sure everything is connected correctly. Get an exact measurement of the holes for the faucet and take the old one with you to find the right replacement.
Step 2: Remove the Old Faucet
Many homes have an access panel on the wall opposite the shower faucet so one can get in and work on the internal workings of the tub. If yours doesn't, you will have to cut into the opposite wall to access and remove the old faucet and install the new one. Use a keyhole saw to cut an approximately 12" square or rectangular hole into the wall directly opposite the faucet.
Remove the base of the faucet using a pipe wrench to unscrew the nuts fastening it to the shower fixture. Be sure the faucet has been removed completely from the water pipes. Don't twist or turn the pipes when you're extracting the old faucet to avoid potential complications.Helpful Tip
If the pipes in your home are old, there could be complications from corroded pipes that can move around easily when you're trying to remove the faucet. If this is the case, be careful so that you do not break the pipes which will cause water leakage behind walls and thus, a more expensive and time-consuming project.
Step 3: Install New Faucet
When putting in the new faucet assembly, you will be lining it up with the shower pipe and fastening it to the pipe with the pipe wrench. It is advised that you strictly follow the instructions from the manufacturer on how to correctly hook the new faucet up.Step 4: Turn Water Back On
Turn the water back on at the main and check for any leaks. If you do notice any, try tightening nuts and screws to make sure everything is tight and secure. The manufacturer's instructions can guide you. If you've tightened every connection and there are still leaks, disconnect the faucet and start over to make sure everything is done correctly.Step 5: Patch the Wall
If you don't have the access panel discussed in step 2, now you've got a fairly large hole in the wall opposite your shower. Don't fret, making a wall patch and then repainting the wall will make it look like the work was never done. Here's how.
Good work! No matter which fix it took, you'll no longer hear that irritating drip, drip, drip.How to Repair a Leaky Shower Faucet Valve
A leaky shower faucet or shower head can be both irritating and expensive. Beyond the annoying drip, drip, drip, a leaky shower faucet (valve) can waste hundreds of gallons of water every week. And worse, a leak on the hot water side of the shower valve can waste significant energy because the water heater must continually operate to warm the water being drawn unnecessarily.
One reader whose home was equipped with an electric water heater complained that his leaking shower valve caused his electric bill to triple. Even more concerning is the shower valve that leaks inside the wall. Over time, water dribbling into the wall can cause dry rot, mold, and structural problems that can be both hazardous and very expensive to repair.
What Causes a Leaky Shower Faucet or Shower Head Drip?
When water drips or drizzles from a shower head, there is a problem with the shower faucet (valve). In most cases, inner seals are worn, or parts have become corroded or clogged with hard water deposits. And the rubber O-rings and gaskets that seal connections between moving metal parts wear down with time and use. When they do, water squirts or drips out. For more, please see How a Shower Works.
Advice for Fixing Leaky Shower Faucets
If you turn off a shower faucet and the water keeps dribbling out of the shower head, a natural instinct is to crank the handle closed as hard as you can. Unfortunately, this may only make things worse. Be sure the faucet handle is turned all of the way off, but don’t over-tighten it! This may damage the valve.
When working on shower faucets, place rags in the tub or shower floor beneath the faucets and over the drain to protect the surfaces and prevent small parts from being dropped down the drain. Before opening up a shower valve, turn off the water supply. In some houses, a shut-off valve is located in the bathroom, near the shower, or in the basement. If you can’t find the shower shut-off valves, turn off the water supply to the entire house. For more about this, seeHow to Shut Off the Water Supply.
If you have to shut off the water to the entire house, plan and organize ahead of time. Read through all of the instructions and have the tools and materials that you’ll need readily on hand to minimize the time your home’s water will be off—and alert your family. After shutting off the house water, faucets and water-using appliances won’t work but each toilet will have one flush.
After you’ve turned off the water supply, open the bathroom sink faucet to drain any water from the nearby pipes.
There are many types of shower faucet valves. The methods for fixing the leak will depend upon the type of shower valve. In the articles listed below, you will find step-by-step instructions for fixing the major brands of shower faucets.
How to Fix a Leaky Two-Handle Shower Faucet
A shower valve that’s operated by two faucet handles—one hot and one cold—is typically a compression faucet, as discussed in the article
How a Compression Faucet Works. Leaks in a compression faucet generally occur when a rubber seal or washer wears out over time, allowing water to seep between movable metal parts. Fixing a compression shower faucet involves disassembling the unit and replacing the defective washers and seals. It’s important to shut off the water supply to the shower, and to protect the surface of the tub or shower floor and cover the drain. Buy a faucet washer kit so you’ll have the necessary replacement O-rings and washers on hand.
First, feel the water leaking from the tub spout or shower head. If it’s warm, you know that the leak is coming from the hot-water valve. If the water has been dripping for a while and it is cold, the leak is probably coming from the cold-water valve.
1Start by removing the faucet handle. Methods for doing this will depend upon the faucet’s design. Older or simply-designed faucets often have an exposed screw front and center or a locking screw in the side. Newer and more decorative models of faucets hide the screw beneath a cover cap. With these, you need to pry off the cover cap to expose the screw. If your faucet handle is the type with a cover cap and there is no obvious method of removal, use a very thin screwdriver or pocketknife to pry the cap off. Be careful not to scratch the finish or damage the material.
2Once you’ve removed the cover cap, use a screwdriver to unscrew the locking screw, turning it counterclockwise. Remove it and set it aside. Then wiggle and pull on the handle to extract it from the faucet body. This can be difficult to do. You can buy a faucet puller, or improvise with a screwdriver as shown in this helpful video:
3After removing the handle, remove the trim and the sleeve that fits over the faucet stem. You’ll need a plumber’s deep socket, as shown in the video, to extract the faucet stem from the valve body (you can buy an inexpensive set online). Fit it over the stem’s hex nut and turn it counterclockwise to unscrew the assembly. At first, you may need to apply significant force to break it free. Unscrew the faucet stem and pull it out of the valve body.
Replace all faucet washers, O-rings, seals, and the flat washer at the end of the stem (remove the screw to replaced the washer).
5Then reverse the procedures to replace the faucet stem in the valve body. Before you put it in, lubricate the threads with plumber’s grease. Tighten it in the valve body. Temporarily put the handle back on, turn on the water supply, and test the valve. Then finish reassembly. Finally, seal the trim to the wall with tub caulk.
How to Fix a Leaky Delta Shower Faucet
If your shower has a leaky Delta shower faucet, here is how to stop the leak. Before beginning, please read the information titled “Advice for Fixing Leaky Shower Faucets” above. Shut off the water supply to the shower and protect the surface of the tub or shower floor. Also cover the drain so you don’t accidentally drop small parts down it. Buy a Delta replacement cartridge so you’ll have the necessary replacement on hand. Here’s a video that shows this process:
1Remove the cover cap that hides the screw holding the handle, and then unscrew the handle and pull it off.
2Remove the two screws that hold escutcheon trim plate in place, and then pull the escutcheon plate away from the wall, exposing the hole in the wall around the valve.
Slide off the outside sleeve (sometimes called a “stop tube”) by gripping it and pulling it outward. Then remove the brass bonnet with a pair of locking jaw pliers, turning it counterclockwise.
4Remove the old cartridge by pulling off the plastic cap, and then gripping and wiggling the cartridge until it’s loose enough to pull off. Feel inside the valve area for any deposits or loose particles, and clean with a rag.
new cartridge. Note that one side of the cartridge is marked “Hot” and should be positioned on the hot water (normally left) side. Push it firmly in place. If necessary, adjust the rotational limit stop, according to the manufacturer’s directions that come with the replacement cartridge.
6Put the brass bonnet back on the valve and turn it clockwise to tighten it. Be sure the threads grip properly. Hand-tighten, and then use locking jaw pliers to snug it down. Clean the wall where the escutcheon plate goes, and then put the outer sleeve back on the cartridge and push it into place. Replace the escutcheon plate and handle.
7Turn the water supply back on and, if everything works fine, caulk the perimeter of the escutcheon plate with tub caulk to seal it to the wall.
How to Fix a Leaky Price Pfister Shower Faucet
As when working on other types of shower valves, start by shutting off the water supply and protecting the tub and drain with rags. Ideally, your shower plumbing will have a local water supply valve that you can shut off (similar to the valve under a sink) that is accessible through a removable panel. In most cases, there isn’t one of these, so you’ll need to shut off the main valve for the entire house.
Price PfisterOpen a nearby faucet to empty the shower pipes. Before beginning, please read the information titled “Advice for Fixing Leaky Shower Faucets” above. If your defective shower valve is made by Price Pfister, you’ll be happy to know that they stand behind their products with a strong warranty. If you can prove that you bought their valve after 1997, they will send you free parts. It’s definitely worth a call to their 800 number at 1-800-732-8238. You can also buy a replacement valve on Amazon.
1Pry the decorative button off of the end of the shower stem to expose the screw that secures the handle assembly. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw, turning it counterclockwise. Then remove the handle assembly.
2Next, unscrew the threaded sleeve, turning it counterclockwise, and remove it from the escutcheon trim plate. If the escutcheon trim is caulked to the wall, use a sharp knife to cut the seal. Be careful not to scratch the surfaces. Remove the plate from the wall.
3To remove the cartridge, unscrew the four screws that hold the dogged-eared mounting flange. Again, turn them counterclockwise to remove them. Reach in and pull the plastic cartridge out of the valve. Be sure the rubber O-rings come out with the cartridge.
4Use a rag and, if necessary, steel wool to clean the inner surfaces of the valve. Then replace the old plastic cartridge with a new one, and replace the threaded piece and the flange.
5Be sure the rubber gasket will seal properly. Position it so the orientation is properly aligned. Use the metal ring and four screws to secure it. When it’s tight, turn the water supply back on and check for leaks. If you don’t discover any leaks, caulk around the perimeter of the trim and then replace the escutcheon trim and the handle. Here is a really helpful video that shows this process.
How to Fix a Leaky Moen Shower Faucet
Before beginning a shower valve replacement, read the information titled “Advice for Fixing Leaky Shower Faucets” above. Shut off the water supply to the shower and protect the surface of the tub or shower floor. Also cover the drain to prevent accidentally dropping small parts down it. Buy a Moen replacement cartridge and have it on hand.
1Pry off the plastic cover at the top of the control valve, and then remove the screw at the center of the knob, using a Phillips screwdriver. Unscrew the two screws that secure the escutcheon plate and pull the plate off of the wall. Gently pry it with a flat-bladed screwdriver if necessary. Be careful not to scratch the finish.
2Pull the stop tube straight out, sliding it off of the cartridge. Using a pair of pliers, pull the U-shaped cartridge retainer clip off of the valve body. Slide the small spacer washer off of the shaft and set it aside with the retainer clip.
3A white plastic nut-like tool should be packaged with the new cartridge. Slip this plastic nut tool over the shaft so it interlocks with the cartridge. Then turn it back and forth with pliers to release the cartridge from the valve body. Remove the nut, and then use pliers to grip the stem of the cartridge and pull it straight out of the valve body.
4Push the new replacement cartridge straight into the valve body until it seats. Slip the plastic nut tool onto the cartridge and orient the cartridge so that its ears are at the top and bottom of the valve body. Slide the U-shaped retainer clip back into the valve body until it snaps into place. If the retainer clip doesn’t snap into place properly, the cartridge is not seated correctly in the valve body—readjust it with the plastic nut tool.
5Now turn the water supply back on. Temporarily mount the faucet knob on the shaft. Holding a bucket under the shower head, turn on the hot water to make sure the hot water works. If the water doesn’t get hot, you’ll need to readjust the cartridge with the plastic nut tool and check again until you get hot water.
6Put the small spacer washer back onto the shaft. Slide the stop tube back onto the valve body. Replace the escutcheon plate and secure it with its two screws, turning them clockwise until snug. Put the plastic knob back on, screw it in place, and secure the cover plate over the screw.
This helpful video will guide you through this process from start to finish:
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