How to Fix a Dripping Cold Water Shower Head

Dripping cold water from a shower head indicates that the cold water stem has worn out.

If you've noticed that your shower head drips water, one of the first steps toward fixing it is to feel the temperature of the water dripping from it. Even though the cold water stem's seals are not exposed to the heat that the hot water stem's seals endure, the seals in the shower's cold water assembly will still wear out over time. To correct the drip, you must replace the old stem with a new one, or else the drip will increase in intensity, costing you more in water consumption.

Things You'll Need

• Pocket knife
• Phillips screwdriver
• Handle puller tool
• Wrench
• New stem assembly

Instructions

1. Turn off the water supply to the shower, using the house's main water shut-off valve. Turn on another faucet to bleed out any water left in the pipes.

2. Use a pocket knife to remove the plastic cap in the middle of the cold water handle. Remove the screw that was covered by the cap, using a Phillips screwdriver.

3. Secure a handle puller tool to the handle with the puller's post over the center of the handle and the arms behind the back edge of the handle. Turn the handle counterclockwise to remove it from the spindle.

4. Use a wrench to turn the water stem counterclockwise and remove it from the water pipe. Screw the new stem into the pipe clockwise, using the wrench to tighten it.

5. Reassemble the faucet's cold water handle in reverse order. Turn the water supply back on and turn on the shower's cold water.

References

• Family Handyman: How to Repair a Leaking Tub Faucet