Fix a Leaking Shower Head

Learn to fix a leaking shower head in minutes. Most showerhead problems are easy repairs, and taking a few extra minutes now to repair a drip can save you money and help preserve valuable water resources. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a showerhead leak can waste as much as 3,000 gallons a year, and that's not just water going down the drain; it's money out of your pocket.

Showerhead leaks usually occur for two reasons, either the washer inside the showerhead is damaged or worn, or the little holes in the showerhead or internal parts are encrusted with lime and other mineral deposits. Sometimes both conditions are contributing to the problem.

Occasionally other things can go wrong with showerheads and cause leaks, but these are by far the most common culprits.

Hard water deposits minerals along your pipes that can begin to accumulate in your plumbing fixtures. Tight areas, like the spray outlets in your showerhead, are particularly susceptible to mineral buildup. After a while, water running out of the showerhead will begin to back up and look more like a waterfall than a shower spray, and leaking will occur long after the shower is turned off. This fix is a maintenance issue rather than a repair, but it will require disassembly.

1. Turn off the water supply to the shower.
2. Unscrew the nut and remove the showerhead from the outlet pipe. Sometimes this can be challenging, especially of the showerhead is old. To protect the finish from scratching, wrap the showerhead in an old rag before you break out the wrench.
3. Disassemble the parts of the showerhead, but make a drawing showing you how to put them back together. Spray the entire assembly with a product designed to dissolve mineral deposits. If you want to take a more eco-friendly approach, soak all the parts overnight in white vinegar.
4. Place a dab of silicone grease on the outlet arm threads and reinstall the showerhead.

1. Shut off the water supply.
2. Remove the showerhead from the outlet arm by unscrewing the attaching bolt.
3. Remove the washer from the showerhead assembly. It's a rubber piece that's usually round.
4. Source a replacement washer. You can usually find generic washers for showerheads pretty easily. If you want to be a stickler for details, it shouldn't be too hard to find a manufacturer recommended washer by checking out the manufacturer's website. Most home improvement and plumbing supply retailers have both generic and manufacturer specific washers. When you head out for a washer, take the old one with you. If it isn't too badly deteriorated, you can use it as a template to help you identify the right replacement.
5. Install the washer and reinstall the showerhead.

It's a good idea to perform both of these jobs when fix a leaking shower head. This is particularly true if you know you have hard water.

A note here about keeping supplies on hand. You can usually pick up a plumbing kit with assorted washers for miscellaneous uses in the plumbing supply aisle of your home improvement store. Although these generic washers won't fit every job that pops up at your house, having access to one of these handy kits may save you a special trip to the store during a repair like this one.

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