Best Guide: How to Fix a Leaky Shower Faucet (7 Easy Steps)

A leaky shower faucet may be both inconvenient and expensive, since it will almost definitely result in increased water bills as a result of the leak.

The good news is that you can repair your dripping shower faucet them self with a few simple tools and supplies.

So how to fix a leaky shower faucet?

Incase you have a leaky single-handle shower faucet, you need to replace the cartridge in your shower faucet. Suppose you have a 2 handle shower faucet, then you need to replace the washer in the handle of the shower faucet If your do-it-yourself repair doesn’t work, you might have to hire a professional plumber for assistance.

The below step by step guide will helps to understand how to fix a dripping shower faucet.

Also read: How to fix a leaky outdoor faucet

Why is my shower faucets and shower head is leaking ?

Before learning how to repair a dripping faucet, it is important to understand that the leak is caused by damaged shower faucets or valves.

Mineral deposits may have harmed or obstructed the inner function of certain parts.

Furthermore, they may include components that are completely old and worn out.

Since there are so many different types of faucets available for purchase, there is no universal procedure for repairing damaged faucets.

In order to make things as simple as possible for you, we’ve put together this post that will walk you through the process of repairing leaking shower faucets of various sorts.

Also read: How to fix a leaky bathtub faucet

How to fix a leaky shower faucet with single handle

How to fix a leaky faucet which won’t turn off properly. The majority of single-handle, cartridge-style faucets may be fixed in an hour or less using simple hand tools.

Change the old cartridge with a new cartridge that is similar to the previous one to repair a leaky shower head.

In this post, we’ll go through how to replace the cartridge faucet, which is a common problem.

Cartridge valves are activated by sliding the cartridge in and out of the valve stem, which is controlled by a single handle.

In the following phases, you will understand more about how to change the cartridge in your dripping shower faucet.

Step 1: Turn off the Shower’s Water Supply

• The shower’s water supply should be switched off.
•  Then, using a tiny pocketknife, pull off the handle cover to show the inner handle screw, which may be removed.
• Disconnect the handle screw by loosening it and pulling it out.

Step 2: Remove the Handle

• Remove the faucet handle and store it safely.
• Switch off the water at the cutoff valves for the fittings or at the control valve for your house.
• Check the status of a faucet by turning it on and off.
• Then, you should remove the handle, from the body.
• If the handle continues to cling, consider steaming it with a hair drier.
• When you still can’t get that off, try using a special handle puller, which is a low-cost instrument that can be purchased from plumbing parts wholesalers or home improvement stores.

Step 3: Pull the Cartridge Clip

• Remove the stop tube by pulling it out.
• Using a little screwdriver or awl, pull the cartridge holding clip out of the way.
• Release the handle washer, next turn the cartridge stem free using pliers and take this out with the pliers to complete the removal.
• If it becomes jammed, a special cartridge puller must be used.

Step 4: Remove the Hex Screw

• Remove the hex screw and hex nut from their positions till the threads are exposed.
• Insert the puller above the cartridge stem, making sure that the tool ears are aligned with the cartridge slots, and then twist to free the cartridge stem.
• In terms of attaching the cartridge to the faucet assembly, almost every faucet producer employs a different technique.
• Check for and remove any clips or springs that you may have.

Step 5: Take off the Cartridge

• Cartridges have a reputation for being difficult to remove from their holders.
• New cartridges from certain manufacturers come with a cap that may be removed.
• Place the cap with the old cartridge ears and attempt to spin the cartridge out of the case.
• Then, using pliers, pry it out of the way.

Step 6: Remove the Old Cartridge

• If you are unable to remove the old cartridge, you will want to use a cartridge puller.
• Make certain that the one you choose is compatible with your particular brand of faucet.
• Check for the company or manufacturer’s name on the handle or rim of the faucet.
• Someone who is skilled with plumbing components could be able to determine the brand and model from a photograph.

Step 7: Tighten the Hex Nut

• When you remove the cartridge, be sure you wiggle it free from the slot.
• Take the old unit with you to a plumbing supply shop or a home improvement center to ensure that you get an identical replacement cartridge.
• Hand-tighten the hex screw until it reaches its lowest point.
• Tighten the hex nut with one hand while pulling on the cartridge puller handle with the other.
• Keeping the puller handle firm while tightening the hex nut 2 full revolutions can help to remove the cartridge if it would not come out.
• By taking the cartridge out of the faucet body, you could remove it.
• Purchase a new cartridge that is similar to the original, position it appropriately, and reassemble the pieces.

Also read: How to protect outdoor faucets from freezing

How to fix a leaky shower faucet with two handle

 

The layout of the shower valve has an impact on this portion of the job.

Step 1: Remove the Cap

• ancient or simple faucets often have a visible screw in the center that can be seen from a distance. They may also have a screw on the tip of the fitting to secure it in place.
• If you have a decorative or contemporary shower bathtub faucet, you will need to acquire a cover cap that conceals a screw in order to use it.
• When you find it, remove the cap to expose the screw below.
• Use a small screwdriver or pocket to pry apart a faucet cover cap that seems to be fixed in the faucet body.
• Prevent snatching the material’s surface when working with it.

Step 2: Remove the Locking Screw

• Remove  the locking screw below the cover cap.
• Make use of a screwdriver to spin the screw in a counterclockwise direction.
• As soon as it comes off, store it in a secure location.

Step 3: Take off the Handle

• Disconnect the handle by twisting and dragging it away from the body.
• If this component seems to be locked, a screwdriver or faucet puller may be used to free it.
• Next, clean the trim and cover on the faucet stem with a soft cloth.
• Remove the faucet stem using a deep socket.

Step 4:  Unscrew the Stem

• Position the tool on the stem’s nut and spin it in an anticlockwise direction to loosen it.
• Make certain that you apply enough lubricant to get the nut to move.
• After it has been taken away, unscrew the stem and pull it away from the valve body.

Step 5: Reassemble the Stem

• Reassemble the stem by reattaching all of the individual pieces.
• All of the faucet washers, O-rings, and the flat washer are included in this category.
• It is important to note to loosen the screw before installing the new washer.

Step 6: Replace the Faucet Stem

• Replacing the faucet stem with the valve body is performed by repeating the steps 3–1. 
• Plumber’s grease should be used to lubricate the sequential grooves on both components before connecting them together.
• Reconnect the handle (partially) and turn on the water to check the valve when the stem has been screwed down into the body of the valve.
• When there is no leak, tighten the handle and seal the trim to the wall using tub caulk to complete the repair.

Also read: How to remove calcium buildup on faucets

How to fix a leaky shower head

Step 1: Turn off the water supply.

• Turn off the water main that supplies the whole home.
• Keep a towel nearby because even though your water main may have been switched off, there might still be water remaining in the pipeline that would leak out.

Step 2: Check the Washer

• Disconnect the leaky shower head from the pipeline by loosening that with your hands from the pipeline.
• Using pliers or a curved wrench, loosen the head if it is held on tightly.
•   Check within the showerhead’s threads for a little plastic washer or a rubber O-ring .
• Due to the excessive wear that occurs with ageing on this part that causes a showerhead to leak and begin spilling.
• Throughout time, it wears out and becomes fragile, which reduces its capacity to retain water in the first place.
• If it seems to be damaged or teared, it should be replaced.

Step 3: Clean the showerhead 

• It’s a smart idea to clean out the showerhead while you’re doing this, particularly if you’ve been experiencing low water pressure in the shower.
• The inside of the showerhead or the stem of the pipe may often be found to have mineral deposits or silt left behind by hard water, which should be cleaned out.
• This may have a considerable impact on flow rate and pressure, and it can also lead to a leaking showerhead in certain cases.

Step 4: Vinegar Solution

• Stir 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 3 glasses of water and boil in a small frying pot or skillet, stirring constantly.
• Once the water has begun to boil, remove it from the fire.
• If the showerhead has any rubber part, then you should remove it.
• After removing, put the showerhead inside the solution and allow it to rest for roughly 20 to 30 minutes.
• Next, using an old toothbrush, remove any sediments from the inner and outside nozzles and wash them clean.
• Repeat this process until no sediments are left.

Step 4: Secure it With Tape

• If somehow the washer or O-ring seems to be in good condition or has been changed, the very next method is to roll Teflon tape over the threads on the pipeline stem.
• Don’t go excessive with the tape.
• At the very end of the pipeline stem, tie a small strip all around threads to secure it.

Step 5: Reattach the Showerhead

• Replace the showerhead by arm tightening it until it is no longer turnable.
• Then, using pliers, give it one more turn to secure it.
• Keep in mind that if you spin too forcefully, you might shatter the showerhead or the tube.

Step 6: Check for leaks

• Restart the water supply and then take a quick shower for a couple of seconds.
• Switch it off if it’s on. 
•  Simply wait for several minutes, and then verify to see if the leak has been fixed or not.

Tips to consider while fixing a leaky shower faucet

Use these instructions to deal with any further difficulties you may have with your connections, with the exception of your shower filter.

If you’re following the directions on how to repair a leaking shower head, you should protect the bathtub or shower surface with rags. Keep in mind to cover the drain to avoid small pieces from falling into the sink.

Once you begin to work on a leaking valve, turn off the water supply to your restroom to prevent leaks. If you are unable to locate the valves for the shower, you should turn off the whole water system to the entire house. Now, by turning on the bathroom sink valve, you may drain the water from the pipelines.

Avoid overtightening the faucet if your locked shower head continues to drop water despite your efforts. This activity has the potential to harm the valve, which might result in additional complications.

Make use of as little time as possible during your rebuild task because your house may require the use of water for a variety of purposes.

Video Guide: How to Fix a Leaky Shower Faucet

Conclusion

In addition to causing high power bills, dripping faucets and shower heads may also cause serious damage to bathroom walls and other materials.

Therefore, learning how to repair a faucet using the numerous techniques outlined in this tutorial can help you prevent similar problems in the future.