If your shower head leaks, you don’t need to fret. There are many things that can cause the leak, and you can apply these simple tips to fix the problem without calling the plumber.
Things You Will Need
- Towel
- Plastic washer
- Rubber O-ring
- Pliers
- Crescent wrench
- Large bowl
- Distilled white vinegar
- Old toothbrush
- Teflon tape
Unclogging Holes in your Shower Head
Clogged shower head holes can cause leakage. Limescale and other mineral deposits accumulate over time in the holes, and this can be one of the reasons for witnessing leakage. Follow the steps below to fix the problem.
Step 1: Shut Off Water Supply To Your Shower Head
Before you start the fixing process, you should turn off the source of water supply to the shower head. You can either turn off your bathroom’s shut-off valve or major water line.
The easier approach is to use the shut-off valve to your bathroom instead of turning off your home’s entire water supply. If you don’t have a shut-off valve, you are left with no other option than to turn off the entire water supply.
Step 2: Remove the Shower Head Faceplate or The Whole Shower Head
You should unscrew the faceplate of your shower head if it is possible for you to do so. If this is not possible, you will need to remove the whole shower head.
Ideally, screws may surround the faceplate or the head. You should try to undo the screws before twisting anticlockwise or pulling the faceplate or head.
Step 3: Soak the Faceplate or Shower Head in White Vinegar
You should get a container, and fill it with white vinegar as well as some salt. Make sure that you pour enough vinegar that will totally submerge the shower head or faceplate.
Let it stay in the solution for up to eight hours, and there will be an absolute dissolution of the limescale build-up as well as mineral deposits. You can use your bathroom sink for this step if you have more than one.
Step 4: Remove Leftover Deposits Manually
You should use a toothpick or nail to remove the dissolved deposits in the holes. If you can lay your hands on an old toothbrush, you can also use it to get rid of the dissolved deposits. An air compressor is also a good option for blowing out the debris. Thereafter, you should use a stiff plastic brush to scrub the faceplate to make it clean.
Step 5: Check To Be Sure That You Have Fixed The Leakage
Connect back the shower head or faceplate, and restore the water supply. Make sure that you don’t turn on the faucet, and observe if leakage persists. If there is no leaking again, this method has helped you to fix the problem. If not, you should consider another method.
Relevant Article: How to Clean a Shower Head?
Changing a Worn Rubber Washer
A worn rubber shower can also make your shower head leak. As time rolls by, the washer or “O-ring” can crack, which can cause leakage. Use the steps below to fix the problem.
Step 1: Determine Which Rubber Washer To Replace
You can change the rubber washer in the shower head or faucet, depending on where you discover the leakage. This will make it possible for you to get the most satisfactory result after the fixing process.
Step 2: Shut Off Water Supply To The Shower
This is very important so that you don’t mess up the whole bathroom area. You can shut off the water supply to the bathroom or the whole house.
Step 3: Change The Rubber Washer In Your Shower Head or Faucet
To change the rubber washer in your shower head, you should separate the head from the shower arm. Look under the swivel ball, and that is where you will find the washer. Pull the rubber washer off, and insert a new one with the same size and style.
To change the rubber washer in your faucet, unscrew the faucet handle. Thereafter, you should take out the sleeve and trim covering the faucet stem. Unscrew the faucet stem and replace the rubber washer.
Step 4: Check To Be Sure That You Have Fixed The Leakage
Reconnect the shower parts to make sure that you have actually fixed the problem. If you replaced the rubber washer in the shower head, reconnect it and restore the water supply.
On the other hand, if you replaced the rubber washer in the faucet, take your time to reconnect, and make sure that the reconnection is perfect before restoring the water supply. If this does not solve the problem, there is another method you can try.
Related Article: Best Rain Shower Head Reviews
Cleaning or Changing a Malfunctioning Diverter Valve
A diverter valve that is not functioning properly can also make your shower head leak. The work of a diverter valve is to enable smooth movement of water from the bathtub faucet to the shower head. If it is blocked or faulty, there can be a leakage in the system. Here are the steps you can take to fix this problem.
Step 1: Shut Off Water Supply To The Shower
This is the first step to prevent messing up the whole bathroom area. You can shut off the water supply to the bathroom or the whole house.
Step 2: Unscrew the Faucet Handle to Expose the Diverter Valve
You should unscrew the faucet handle so that the diverter valve can be in the open. Bring out the diverter valve, and if you have issues getting it out, you can put a rag soaked in vinegar on the components for a short time. This will help in removing limescale build-up that may interfere with the easy removal of the diverter valve.
Step 3: Clean the Diverter Valve or Replace It
With a small stiff wire brush and vinegar, clean the diverter valve. After successful removal of the dirt, you should check for wear and tear. If everything is fine, allow it to dry but if not, you should not hesitate to replace it.
Step 4: Check To Be Sure That You Have Fixed The Leakage
Reconnect the faucet handle to confirm the fixing of the problem. Restore water supply, and check if there is any leakage.
Contact A Local Plumber If Leaking Persists
If leaking persists, do not hesitate to contact a local plumber. You deserve your luxurious showers, and nothing on earth should deny you of this.
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