How To Fix A Leaking Shower Head

A leaking shower head wastes water and is often a major annoyance. A shower head that drips every 3 seconds adds up to 700 gallons per year, making your money go down the drain literally. And even more if the leak is on the hot water side. 

Leaking is usually one of two things. It may be that it is partially clogged and dribbling, instead of a nice strong stream thru every jet in the head. Or it could be that it is actually leaking which is more likely the control valve than the shower head. It could be an easy fix that you might tackle yourself or involve disassembly, cleaning and/or parts replacement that is best attended to by a professional, insurance plumber from PipeMasters. Let’s look at what steps you can take:

Clogged / Leaking Shower Head When In Use

This issue most likely is one of gradual build up, due to hard water. It may leak when trying to adjust the flow or spray on variable shower heads. The repair here involves the shower head being removed and either having it cleaned or replaced to restore the normal flow. Cleaning could include soaking in white vinegar for at least 8 hours or a commercial solution formulated for that purpose. You may still have to use a small pointy object like a toothpick, needle or small nail to remove any leftover deposits. A stiff brush may also work before the head is reinstalled.

Dripping When Shut Off

The problem here is usually not the shower head but rather the shower or diverter valve – where the flow and temperature are set for the shower. The fix here involves disassembly of the control valve and cleaning/replacing parts or maybe a cartridge depending on the installation. 

Depending on your installation, the water may need to be turned off for the whole house in order to conduct any repairs. There are many brands of fixtures and while they operate on a similar concept / principle the actual repair steps will vary widely. Specialized tools and skills are needed to ensure a proper repair without damaging the fixture, trim or surrounding areas. Replacing a shower head either on a hose or pipe might be a DIY if you have the knowledge.

If you’re having trouble with leaks or shower head flow, give one of our pros a call: info@pipemasters.ca or (289) 404-9063. Our experienced team is here to help anytime day or night! PipeMasters is part of Oakridge Plumbing Ontario Ltd. and serves the East GTA, Durham Region, North to Lindsay & Peterborough, out to Cobourg and all points in between. All Rights Reserved.