How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head

Stepping into a hot shower in the morning can be a pleasant experience.

Having that showerhead leak on you can quickly turn that experience sour.

By knowing how to fix a leaking showerhead, you’ll be able to restore that pleasant experience and potentially save some money on your water bill monthly.

Here’s what you need to do.

Step #1: Shut Off the Water

You will need to shut off the water to the entire home before beginning any repair work.

Open up a faucet to make sure the plumbing has been drained.

Set down a towel or a rag to protect your shower floor or bathtub in case you drop something.

Step #2: Remove the Showerhead

You may need to use a set of pliers to unscrew your showerhead or even a crescent wrench.

Look inside the showerhead to find the O-rings that are inside.

These are usually the cause of a leaking showerhead and replacing them will quickly fix the problem. Replace it if it looks worn or damaged.

Step #3: Clean it Up

Mineral deposits from hard water can clog up the showerhead and cause it to leak as well.

Mix three cups of vinegar and 3 cups of water in a stock pot and bring the solution to a boil.

Turn off the heat and then place the showerhead, less any rubber components, in the solution for 20 minutes.

Step #4: Tape It Up

If your O-rings look good and your showerhead looks clean, then you’ll need some Teflon tape to stop the leak.

All you need to do is wrap a thin strip of this tape around the threats of the pipe stem that are at the very end of it.

Step #5: Put the Showerhead Back On

Use your hands to turn the showerhead so that it tightens.

When you can’t tighten it by hand any more, use a wrench or pliers to make one more turn so that showerhead is secure.

Don’t overtighten the showerhead because this may cause a bigger leak thanks to a broken pipe stem.

Step #6: Turn on the Water

You should have fixed your leaking showerhead at this point, so it’s fine to turn the water back on.

If you still have a leaking showerhead after these steps have been completed, then you may have a leak in your faucet.

This will typically require a new pipe stem and you may need to take the faucet apart.

If you have fixed the faucet and you still have a leak, then you will need to likely replace the entire faucet assembly.

If you need to replace the entire faucet, it is usually a good idea to hire a licensed and bonded plumber so that any errors in the installation can be covered by their surety bond.

Your insurance policy may not cover an error in maintenance if you try to replace an old faucet and the repair doesn’t go as planned.

By following these 6 steps, you’ll be able to repair your leaking showerhead in most instances.

Always remember to shut off the water first and then you’ll be on the journey toward a successful repair.