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According to statistics, the average household wastes more than ten thousand gallons of water annually as a result of leaky appliances. Leaky showerheads contribute significantly to this figure, with a showerhead that drips every three seconds wasting nearly seven hundred gallons of water annually.

A leaky showerhead can be annoying and costly for a homeowner. It can lead to mold, dry rot, and structural issues over time. If this issue is not fixed on time, it can be dangerous in the long run.

Fortunately, you can fix a leaky shower at home by following the steps mentioned below:

8 Steps to Fix a Leaky Showerhead

Here is how to fix a leaky showerhead - step by step:

  1. Shut Down The Water Supply

    Start by turning off the water supply to your showerhead so you can see what’s causing the leak. Sometimes, clogged holes are the culprits of a leaky showerhead. These clogs are formed by mineral deposits that reside in the showerhead's holes.

    There are two ways to turn off a water supply:

    • Close the shut-off valve attached relevant shower
    • Turn off the main water supply

    Shutting down the water supply linked directly to your bathroom is easier than turning off the entire household's water supply.

    You will likely find the shutoff valve near the showerhead or in the basement.

  2. Remove The Showerhead and Inspect It

    After shutting down the water supply, unscrew and remove the showerhead. You’ll probably be able to do this with your hands, but you might need a crescent wrench to unscrew the head if it's stuck tightly.

    After unscrewing the showerhead, look inside to find a rubber O-ring or a small washer. Inspect this component thoroughly, as this directly impacts whether or not you have to deal with a leaky showerhead.

    Over time, this component dries out and becomes brittle, decreasing its ability to hold water. If it’s worn out, replace it.

  3. Clean The Showerhead

    It's always good to clean the showerhead once you have removed it. This is especially crucial if you've noticed a decrease in the water flow.

    Follow these steps to clean your showerhead:

    • Mix water in a small cooking pan
    • Add three cups of vinegar to it and boil it for a few minutes
    • Turn off the stove once it has boiled
    • Place the showerhead (without any washer or rubber parts) into the cooking pan
    • Let it rest in the pot for twenty to thirty minutes
    • Remove the showerhead afterward and scrub its interior and exterior using an old toothbrush
    • Keep doing this until no deposits remain
  4. Wrap The Showerhead

    If the plastic head inside your showerhead is not damaged or worn, or you have already replaced it, wrap the threads on the pipe using Teflon tape. Make sure not to overdo it, though.

    Wrap a thin strip around the threads you see at the pipe stem’s tip. Though it’s more of a hit-and-hope strategy, sometimes it proves to be handy and can prevent leaking.

  5. Reattach The Showerhead

    Once you've done all the previous steps, reattach the showerhead. Turn the showerheaduntil your hands can't tighten itanymore. After that, use pliers to tighten it further.

    Make sure you don't turn it too hard, or you might break the pipe or showerhead.

  6. Turn On The Water Supply

    Once you've finished reattaching the showerhead, turn on the water supply and run your shower for a few seconds and then turn it off again. Wait a few minutes to see if it's dripping or leaking.

  7. Inspect The Valve

    If your showerhead is still leaking despite following all the steps mentioned above, it's probably due to a faulty faucet. If your shower has two separate hot and cold water faucets, first identify which one is leaking by feeling the temperature of the water that’s dripping.

    Remember, you need to turn on the water supply for this and shut it offagain after determining which faucet is leaking.

    Once you’ve figured it out, unscrew your faucet’s handle and replace the rubber washers. Reassemble everything, turn on the supply, and run your showerhead for a few seconds to check whether it’s still leaking.

  8. Call a Professional Plumber

    If you have tried every possible step and the problem still persists, call a professional plumber to inspect and fix the issue. Professional plumbers deal with such issues day-in and day-out.

    They are experts at handling these plumbing problems and have the proper tools to cater to them. A professional plumber will inspect the showerhead properly to determine where the problem lies. They will also check if the showerhead is worn out and needs to be replaced.

    The best option is to replace the showerhead with a new one in such circumstances.


Final Words

A leaky showerhead wastes thousands of gallons of water every year. Numerous factors can cause a showerhead to leak. Fortunately, you can fix a leaky showerhead at home by following the simple steps mentioned above.

However, if you need the professionals to step in, reach out to us. We’ll diagnose and fix the issue so you won’t have to deal with that annoying dripping sound any longer.

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