How to Repair A Leaking Shower Faucet

Leaks in your shower faucet not only wastes water, it also increases your water bill. Addressing the problem and repairing it as soon as possible is wise and earth-friendly. A leaking shower faucet is generally a sign that a part is worn out and needs to be replaced. The washers or seals are under pressure as water flows through them so it is normal that they typically wear out over time. With basic knowledge and tools, you can do the fixing yourself. Follow these steps:

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver straight
• Channel locks
• Pipe wrench
• Recaulking gun
• Replacement rubber washer
• Replacement packing washer

Instructions

1. 

   Locate the water heater at your house then shut off the water valves.

2. 

   Go back to the bathroom, turn on the shower faucet and drain the excess water out.

3. 

   Depending on the type of shower faucet you have, you may work on one or two valves. In this example, I'm showing a two-valve shower faucet whose washers need to be replaced. Unscrew the screws that hold the handle/knob off the shower faucet and take them both off (hot and cold).

4. 

   Once the handle or knob is off, take the water guard off.

5. 

   Unscrew the nut that is holding the stem in its place.

6. 

   Unscrew the shower stem in a counterclockwise direction.

7. 

   Replace the rubber washer on the shower stem located at the end that goes into the pipe.

8. 

   Replace the packing washer found at the middle section of the shower stem.

9. 

   Clean any debris from the pipe and put the parts together in reverse order.

10. 

    Recaulk around the faucet guard to protect your wall from damage.

Tips & Warnings

• It's best to replace all the gaskets and seals at one time

• If you are not very familiar with replacement parts for your shower faucet, go to a hardware store to ask for assistance in finding the parts you need.

• If you are not sure how to do the repair yourself, ask a professional to do the job.

• If you have a gas water heater, you may need to relight the water heater pilot. Also, avoid taking more than two hours in your repair to prevent the water heater tank from damage.

Resources

• How to Repair Dripping Faucets
• How to Repair a Running Toilet
• How to Recaulk a Bathtub Fast and Easy
• Delta Faucet 75152 Water Amplifying Adjustable Showerhead
• Moen Brantford T2153 Bathroom Tub and Shower Faucets Chrome