How to Fix a Leaky Showerhead

Showerheads that leak and drip can be a pain, but you don’t need to put up with a leaky showerhead or go to the expense of buying a brand new one. You can probably fix your existing showerhead with a little time and some common tools. Here’s how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adjustable wrenches or strap wrenches
• Plumbers joint tape (teflon tape)
• Small wire brush
• Replacement O-ring
• Vinegar

1. Consider that showerheads leak at one of two places: either at the connection to the shower arm (water supply arm) or at the connection between the showerhead and the swivel ball. They may also spit water or have blocked holes that reduce the number of working spray holes.

2. Remove the showerhead from the shower arm. Use an adjustable wrench to grip the attaching nut and turn to the right to loosen and remove the head (Remember: “Lefty loosey, Righty tighty”).

3. If the showerhead leaks at this location, all you need to do is clean the threads on the shower with a small wire brush (or your fingers) to remove any bunched-up plumber's tape and rewrap the threads of the shower arm with fresh tape. Wrap the tape in the same direction you will be turning the showerhead when reattaching it, so you won’t remove the tape you just wrapped around the shower arm. Reattach the showerhead and tighten it firmly (but not so tight that you could bend the pipe) and check to see that your leak has been stopped.

4. If the showerhead leaks at the swivel ball, again remove the showerhead and use your wrench to remove the swivel ball ring.

5. Look inside for an O-ring (looks like a washer, only it’s round instead of flat).

6. Remove the O-ring and get an exact duplicate at a home or plumbing store.

7. Install the new O-ring and reattach the showerhead to the swivel ball and shower arm.

8. If your showerhead has some blocked holes or doesn’t flow properly, it could be due to a buildup of calcium or actually some grit inside the showerhead blocking the water flow.

9. Remove a calcium buildup by soaking the showerhead in vinegar for a few hours and then rinsing it in clean, warm water. If you need to actually scrape away a heavy buildup of calcium, scrape on the inside of the showerhead to avoid scratching the face.

Tips & Warnings

• To avoid marring the finish of your showerhead, put some masking tap on the jaws of your adjustable wrench before you work on the showerhead.
• Rubber strap wrenches also work well, since they are totally adjustable and the rubber can’t mar the finish.
• Plumber's tape doesn’t have any glue backing. It stays in place when you wrap it tightly and overlap it around the threads of a joint.
• Be careful when you’re working on a showerhead. Bathroom and shower floors can be slippery and dangerous.

[HandymanBob]

on 10/26/2008 Great tips! Thanks

[Lolabug26]

on 10/8/2008 Thanks for the help =) I needed this article =)