How to Successfully Fix a Dripping Showerhead

Few things are as annoying as hearing a dripping showerhead. The sound combined with the expense of wasted water is enough to drive anyone batty. Add a hefty plumber's bill on top and it's even worse. So before you pick up the phone and draft in a professional, it's worth seeing if you can fix a dripping showerhead yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Masking tape
• Screwdrivers
• Wrenches
• Pliers
• Pipe sealant
• Washers (check manufacturer's guidance for sizes)
• Replacement shower head (if necessary)

Instructions

1. With your hands, unscrew the showerhead from its pipe. As this is rarely done, it might be tricky. Pliers may help you do the job.

2. Look into the pipe where the showerhead was just screwed into. You should find a small rubber or plastic washer. Dripping showerheads are often caused by damage or wear to this inexpensive component. If you see any damage at all, replace it.

3. Seal the connection on the pipe with a pipe sealer, or even heat-resistant tape (e.g. Teflon).

4. Using your hand only, screw in the showerhead. Take care to not overtighten as it could cause damage.

5. Check your showerhead for noticeable damage or wear, such as cracks or brittleness. Replace the showerhead, if necessary.

6. Test the showerhead by turning on the shower for two minutes. Shut off the shower and wait for an hour.

7. If you are still facing a drip, call in a professional for help. It's quite likely that you have a damaged valve. This complex repair is best left to a plumber.