Drip, drip, drip… the noise projecting from the leaky shower or bathtub can be both maddening and expensive. Expensive how you may ask? A leaky shower can waste hundreds of gallons of water every week. To test this, find a bucket and keep track of how long it takes the bucket to fill up, now imagine all those buckets filling every hour or so – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week…. yikes! The solution might be easier than you think. Before calling a plumber, here are some tips and tricks to fix a leaking showerhead.
1. Turn off the water supply to the shower. Before you do anything else, locate the valve to your shower/tub or turn off the main water line.
2. Remove showerhead. Remove the showerhead faceplate or the complete showerhead. Use a washcloth and a wrench to remove. The washcloth prevents any damage to the showerhead finish. If seal tape is visible, completely remove and replace when you put on the clean or new showerhead.
3. Shake it off! If you are replacing the showerhead altogether, skip this next step. For convenience, soak the showerhead as it may have lime and mineral deposit build up. Scrub to remove remaining buildup.
4. Install showerhead. Reassemble the showerhead if you cleaned it or remove unnecessary packing from the new showerhead. Once everything is back in place, turn the water supply on to the shower to ensure your showerhead is no longer leaking.
Many factors can influence a leaking showerhead, some smaller than others – pressure building up from clogged showerhead spouts, worn out thread seal tape (PTFE), or an old showerhead. If you have tried changing all the above, you might be facing bigger issues like a crack in a sewer pipe or a clogged pipe.
Still Need Help?
If you are still struggling with a leaky showerhead, or you feel more comfortable with someone else handling the job, call T.J. Huggard Plumbing. We are locally owned and operated! Our expert technicians will take care of all your plumbing needs. Call 801.787.0373 to schedule an appointment.
