Leaking Showerhead Causing Problems? | Step-by-Step Instructions For Eliminating The Leak

Are you tired of listening to your showerhead dripping all night long? If you are, there's a simple way to take care of the problem by yourself. Even if you've never done a plumbing repair in your life, you can repair a leaky showerhead. Here are some easy-to-follow instructions that will stop the leak so you can sleep.

Remove the Faceplate

The first thing you'll need to do is remove the faceplate in your shower. You should be able to unscrew it with your hands. Once you have the faceplate removed, you can remove the lime deposits by soaking it in a solution of 50% water and 50% lemon juice for several hours. Once the face plate has soaked, you can wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Removing the lime deposits will provide a tighter fit between the plate and the shower head pipe. 

Take the Showerhead off

Once you have the faceplate soaking in lemon juice, you can remove the showerhead. Depending on how tightly it's been installed, you may need a pair of pliers to unscrew the showerhead. When you have the showerhead removed, scrub it with lemon juice to remove the lime deposits. Clean out the lime deposits by pushing a toothpick through each hole in the showerhead.

Replace the Rubber Washer

Look inside the pipe that's attached to the showerhead. You should see a black rubber washer. Those washers usually wear out after a couple of years. If it's been awhile since you replaced the washer, you should remove it and replace it with a new one. Be sure the washer is the right size, or your showerhead will continue to leak. You can tell it's the right size if it fits snugly without needing to be forced into the pipe fitting.

Replace the Pipe Tape

Look at the pipe that screws into the wall fitting. There should be white flexible plumbers tape – or pipe tape – wrapped around the threads of the pipe. Remove that tape and wrap a new layer of tape around the threads. Be sure to go around the pipe at least twice with the tape to ensure a secure fit. Once you have the tape in place, screw the pipe back into the wall fitting. Turn the water on and check for leaks.

If you've got a leaky showerhead, you want to take care of the leak as soon as possible. Leaky showerheads waste water, and can create excess moisture that can lead to mold. If the measures provided above don't eliminate the leaks, you should contact a plumber. You may have issues deeper inside the pipes that will need to be repaired. 


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