A leaking shower head can be costly.There could be many reasons why yours is leaking.You don't have to call for a plumbing service.The solution may be easier than you think.If you know how to fix a leaking shower head, you can save a lot of money.
Step 1: The water supply needs to be turned off.
If you are just replacing the head or inspecting it, you can turn the shower off at the knob.A leaking shower head can be caused by lime and other mineral deposits that build up in the holes over time.Start here if you don't know what's causing your shower head to leak.It is a simple fix that does not require you to disassemble your shower fixture.Before you start, shut off your water supply.You can either locate and turn off the shutoff valve to the bathroom or the main water line.It will be easier for you to turn off the water supply to the bathroom than it is to cut the entire house off.If there is a shutoff valve to the bathroom, it can usually be found in the basement or near the shower.
Step 2: The shower head should be removed.
To remove the lime and mineral deposit from the rest of the shower fixture, you will have to soak and scrub the parts that have it.If you can, remove the faceplate.Remove the entire shower head from the fixture if you can't.It depends on the make and model of your shower head.Look for screws around the shower head or the head itself to be able to remove it.Pull or twist the screws to remove the shower head.
Step 3: The shower head should be immersed in white vinegar for 8 hours.
Purchase a container large enough to hold the shower head.If your bathroom is large enough, you could use the bathroom sink if you have more than one bathroom.Put some coarse salt in your container or sink.You should be able to fully cover the shower head with the amount of vinegar you use.You can either set a timer for 8 hours or calculate the hours from when you set the shower head.It will work to get rid of the deposits while it is soaking.
Step 4: There are leftover deposits that should be removed manually.
The mineral deposits dissolved after 8 hours.You will need to remove it.First you need a small nail or toothpick to fit in the shower head holes.The debris can be removed by sticking the toothpick or nail into the holes.The faceplate should be scrubbed with a stiff plastic brush.An air compressor can be used to blow out debris.
Step 5: If the shower head is leaking, you should check it out.
Attach the shower head back to it's place if you want to know if it has fixed the leak.Ensure the faucet is turned off by turning the water supply back on.You have solved your problem if you no longer notice a leak.Consider another reason for the shower head leaking.
Step 6: The water supply should be turned off for your shower.
A worn out rubber washer can cause a leaking shower head.The washer starts to crack over time.There is a leaking shower head.Replacing the washer will solve the problem.If you have a bathroom with a water supply, you can either shut it off near your shower or in the basement.O rings need to be maintained.If your shower faucet is a compression faucet, meaning it has two faucet handles to separately control the cold and hot water, you will need to feel the water leaking from the shower head to determine if the leak is coming from one of the valves.You will know which faucet you have to work on.
Step 7: Determine which rubber washer needs to be replaced.
The rubber washer in your shower head can be replaced.The type of shower faucet you have will help determine which rubber washer needs to be replaced.The rubber washer inside the compression faucet needs to be replaced if you have a two-handle faucet.The rubber washer located inside of the shower head needs to be replaced if you have a single-handle faucet.
Step 8: The rubber washer needs to be replaced.
Taking the shower head apart will allow you to replace the rubber washer.The shower arm should have a collar nut attached to it.The collar nut is not a regular metal nut.It has a neck that is 1.5 times the diameter.Protect the fixture with a rag and loosen the collar nut to separate the shower head from the arm.The rubber washer can be found beneath the shower head.The shower head has a metal fixture that allows it to move around.A metal fixture that looks like a large nut with a metal ball on the end is something to look for.If you can move it like a shower head, you have found it.Pull the rubber washer off and then replace it with a similar washer of the same size and style.The new washer should look the same as the old one.If you get a washer that is the same thickness as the leak, be careful.
Step 9: The rubber washer needs to be replaced.
Remove the appropriate faucet handle.The temperature of the leaking water should tell you if you should work on the hot or cold faucet handle.The screw may be hidden behind a cover cap or in plain sight.If your faucet is an older model, you should be able to see the screw on either side of it.To expose the screw, use a tiny pocket knife to lift the cover cap.Pull the handle hard to remove the screw from the faucet body.If you can't do it by hand, you may need a faucet puller.Remove the trim and sleeve that covers the faucet stem after the handle is off.To remove the faucet stem, use a deep sockets.You need to use the deep sockets to remove the hex nut from the faucet stem.There is a nut with six sides.The shower valve sockets wrench is specifically made for this.The rubber washer can be replaced.You can replace the flat washer at the end of the stem if you purchased the faucet washer kit.
Step 10: Check to see if the shower problem has been fixed.
If you changed the rubber washer in your shower head, make sure to connect it back onto the shower arm so that you can see if the leak has been fixed.You should just screw the shower head on and not tighten it.Put your shower faucet back together if you changed the rubber washer.Put a little bit of grease on the threads where the stem will go, then screw it back on.If you want to know if the leaking shower head is fixed, you can cut your water supply back on.
Step 11: The water supply should be turned off for your bathroom.
The water can be switched from the bathtub faucet to the shower head with a diverter valve.Over time, this valve can be weakened.When water should be flowing through the bathtub faucet, a malfunctioning diverter valve will leak.If you want to fix a diverter valve, it is better to just replace it.Shut off the water supply either through the valve to the bathroom or the main supply.
Step 12: The diverter valve should be exposed by removing the faucet handle.
The screw may be hidden under the cap or it may already be exposed.You can use a pocket knife to remove the cap.
Step 13: Take out the diverter valve.
To remove the diverter valve, you need to separate the valve assembly from the nut on the faucet stem.If you can't open the valve, wrap a rag around the components and break up the limescale build up.It may be possible to remove the build up with the help of WD-40.
Step 14: The diverter valve should be cleaned or replaced.
Now that the diverter valve is free, you can clean it with a wire brush.The valve should be checked after you have removed all the debris.Let the valve sit out to dry if you don't see anything.If you see cracks in the diverter valve, it's time to replace it.
Step 15: If the leaking shower head is fixed, disassemble the faucet handle.
To reassemble the faucet handle, reverse the previous steps.If the leaking shower head is fixed, turn on the water supply.
Step 16: The water supply needs to be turned off.
A malfunctioning valve in a one-handle shower faucet could be the cause of your shower head leaking.If the less intrusive solutions to fixing your leak problem haven't worked, then you may need to replace your faucet's valve.Shut off the water supply to your shower or the main supply of water in your house before you start.
Step 17: The faucet handle needs to be removed to expose the stem.
The faucet handle screw is located beneath a cap on the handle.The handle can be pulled off if the screw is removed.It may be difficult to pull off the handle.If you have a hair dryer, try warming the handle.If you don't have a hair dryer at your disposal, you can purchase a handle puller from your local hardware store.Once the handle is off, you can remove the stop tube and the retaining clip by using a small screwdriver or awl.You should be able to see the stem.
Step 18: If you want to replace the cartridge, you have to remove it.
The method you use to remove the cartridge will be different from manufacturer to manufacturer.You may be able to get a removal cap with the new cartridge.The first thing you want to do is remove the nut that covers the stem.Remove the stem with pliers.If the pliers don't work, you'll need to use a puller.Attach the puller to the stem and twist to remove it.Use pliers to remove it once it is loose.Attach the new cartridge to the old one.The old one should be the same as the new one.
Step 19: If the leaking shower head is fixed, you need to disassemble the faucet handle.
The steps used to disassemble the faucet handle should be reversed.Before the handle is fully screwed on, make sure the shower head is not leaking by turning on the water supply.