How to Fix a Leaky Showerhead

Drip, drip, drip, drip... a leaking showerhead in your bathroom can be annoying when you're trying to sleep. A showerhead dripping every few seconds can also waste roughly 700 gallons of water per year. That's a lot of water (and money) going down your drain. Don't get mad when this bathroom fixture leaks water — get even. Learn how to fix a dripping showerhead with this DIY guide full of plumbing tips. It is surprisingly easy for most homeowners, and you can fix most causes of leaks in a day. We've covered three of the most common leaks your shower will likely experience, so find yours below and get started!

Dripping Showerhead When Shower is Off

When the head drips with the shower off, the faucet valve behind the handle or handles has an issue preventing water from shutting off. A broken cartridge behind the handle typically causes these leaks. This cartridge controls the flow of hot and cold water to your showerhead and tub spouts. They often have seats, springs, rubber gaskets, and discs, which can break down over time.

You must get behind the handle to replace the cartridge to address this. It's easier than you may think. While there are many different shower handles and cartridges, accessing the cartridges should be simple.

Pro tip: Place any screws in a plastic bag or container and safely set the container aside until you've stopped the leaking showerhead.

Tools needed:

• Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
• Hex wrench set
• Channel-lock pliers
• Plastic bowl
• Utility knife
• Towel (if needed)
• Cartridge puller
• Replacement shower faucet cartridge

Pro tip: If you have two handles, you may only have to replace one cartridge. But money and time permitting, it's always a great idea to replace both simultaneously during shower repair.

1. Shut Off the Water

Because the handle controls the water flow, you will want to shut off the water to the handle. Some homes have easy access to shutoff valves found behind the shower. Some showers do not have accessible shutoff valves. If your shower's valve isn't accessible, turn the water off at your home's main shutoff valve.

Also, it is good practice to turn the handles to the on position to empty the pipes after turning off the water. This helps prevent water pressure from blasting lingering water everywhere when the shutoff valve is turned back on.

2. Remove the Faucet Handle

The shower faucet handle will likely have a cap at the end that you can remove by gently prying it off with a screwdriver or utility knife. With the cap off, unscrew the handle screw. You may need to use a hex wrench to remove the handle screw in some cases.

If you have a large faceplate surrounding the faucet valve, remove it for easy access to the cartridge. Loosen and remove the mounting screws that hold the plate to the wall. You should be able to remove the plate, but you may need to cut through a caulk or silicone bead around the cover plate, a.k.a. the escutcheon, to remove it.

Occasionally, a cartridge is held into place in the faucet cavity with a metal retaining clip. This U-shaped retaining clip can be flimsy, so carefully pry it off with a flathead screwdriver. Some models have washers present near the end of the cartridge, and you will want to remove them and set them aside to add back in when you’re finished.

Pro tip: Place screws and washers in a plastic bag or container and safely set the container aside until you've stopped the leaking showerhead.

3. Extract the Old Cartridge

Pull out the existing cartridge from the faucet housing. Cartridges usually slide straight in and out without much effort. If they don't budge, you may need to use channel-lock pliers or a specific cartridge puller tool to extract the cartridge from the housing.

These cartridges differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, and finding the exact match is important to fix a dripping showerhead. Bring this piece into your local hardware or home improvement store and find the proper match to replace the old one.

4. Install the New Cartridge

This part is easy — simply repeat the process of removing the cartridge in reverse. If you've found a replica of your old cartridge, the new cartridge should slide right into the faucet cavity when aligned with the groove. After you replace the cartridge, slide in a new retaining clip (or reuse the older one if it's in good condition) and replace any washers you removed previously. Finally, reattach the faceplate and handle(s). Turn the water back on and see if the head is still dripping. If there is no drip, you've successfully learned how to fix a leaky showerhead.

Leaking From the Shower Arm

The shower arm is an angled pipe protruding from the wall that holds your showerhead in place. When the shower is running, a leak will often occur due to a broken seal around the threads. Replacing a washer or the thread seal tape will usually stop the leak, and the shower repair steps are much simpler than the other fixes in our guide.

Tools needed:

• Channel-lock pliers
• Small scrub brush/toothbrush
• Plastic bowl
• Utility knife
• Thread-sealing tape

First, ensure the water is shut off in the shower area or at the main shutoff valve. Use channel-lock pliers to loosen the nut on the back of the showerhead and place it in a plastic container for safekeeping. Look inside the showerhead and check that there is a washer present. If there is, inspect it to ensure it is in good shape. If it has seen better days, you will want to replace it.

Next, check the threads on the shower arm and showerhead. You want this connection area free of all debris for the tightest seal. Remove any old tape if possible. If the threads have green or white build-up, use a soft-bristle brush (or toothbrush) and cleaning solution to scrub the grime (white vinegar can be used in a pinch).

Once clean, apply the thread-sealing tape to the shower arm threads starting at the arm's opening. Tightly wrap the tape counterclockwise while slightly overlapping the previous layer of tape (like when you mow a lawn and overlap the previous cut). The thread-sealing tape compresses and sticks when in contact with itself, so you should see the thread shape as the tape tightens. Continue this until you have covered the threads.

Pro tip: DO NOT overdo it… at first. It is best to apply small bits of tape in stages to secure the seal, as more tape can be added without much waste or effort. A little goes a long way to seal the threads.

Next, fit the showerhead over the newly taped threads and screw the nut at the rear of the head back on. Turn the water back on and check the seal. If you still have a leaking showerhead, unscrew it, thoroughly dry the area, apply another round of tape, and test.

Seeing Extra Water Streams or Dribbles

When the faucet is on, and the water pressure from the head seems weak, you may have a problem with sediment build-up in the head nozzles. When the shower is running, check if streams of water flow from the showerhead in a different direction than normal. If so, this is sediment or lime build-up clogging the nozzle holes and trapping water, which causes a dripping showerhead after the water is turned off.

Tools needed:

• Channel-lock pliers
• Small scrub brush/toothbrush
• Plastic bowl
• White vinegar
• Utility knife
• Thread-sealing tape

1. Remove the Showerhead

First, ensure the water is shut off in the shower area or at the main shutoff valve and the handle(s) are open. Next, loosen the nut in the back of the showerhead that secures it to the shower arm and remove the showerhead.

2. Soak the Showerhead in White Vinegar

Soaking the showerhead in vinegar for a few hours or overnight helps soften mineral deposits and build-up so you can clear the nozzle pathways.

3. Scrub the Grime Away

Use a soft-bristle brush or toothbrush to remove all the debris and grime left over after the vinegar soak. A little elbow grease will go a long way.

4. Rinse the Showerhead Thoroughly

Wash away the vinegar on the outside and pour water through the back of the showerhead to clean the inside of the nozzles.

5. Reinstall onto the Shower Arm

Screw on the showerhead with new pipe thread-sealing tape to help create a good seal. Turn the water on to see the results and if you need another round of soaking and scrubbing.

Another solution could be to simply replace the entire showerhead. As a DIYer, you could not ask for a quicker, easier shower repair job.

Protection for Your Home Systems and Appliances

Homeowners are on their own regarding expensive repairs around the house, including learning how to fix a leaky showerhead. One of the most popular benefits of home warranty plans from First American is that they can cover the repair or replacement of many home systems, including plumbing, electrical, and heating, as well as appliances such as the dishwasher, oven, and water heater when they break down. Please learn more about the protection you can enjoy with our home warranty plans or get a free quote in minutes.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.

Please be aware that if you disassemble a covered system or item, it can invalidate your home warranty or manufacturer's warranty.