If every time you take a shower, you notice that the showerhead still continues spouting water even when you’ve shut it off tightly already, you may need to repair your shower installation. Failing to take action could lead to higher water bills and possibly flooding, affecting the rest of your bathroom in the process.
Luckily, in most cases, this is a relatively simple thing to fix. You can take the matter into your own hands and inspect the showerhead yourself. If you notice other problems, however, such as the presence of rust and other signs of wear and tear, it may be time to replace your shower to ensure you can continue showering in peace.
However, if your showerhead doesn’t seem to be worn out but remains leaking, you may not need to purchase a new one right away—you can opt to repair it instead. Keep reading below to find out how to fix a leaking showerhead to improve your plumbing knowledge and skills.
Step 1. Turn Off Your Water System
If your shower is showing sure signs that it’s leaking, you have to get to the bottom of the issue quickly. You will need to shut down your home’s main water supply before initiating the repairs on your own.
If you forget to turn off the water, and you get to work, you will be dealing with a messy situation and having water spraying all over you. But even when you’re certain that your water system is off, you should still remain cautious and have a towel nearby and handy in case water comes out of the showerhead when you start your work.
Step 2. Remove the Showerhead
The next thing you need to do is remove the showerhead by unscrewing or detaching it by hand. If it doesn’t seem to budge because it has been attached in its position for a while now, you may need to grab some tools like pliers or a wrench.
After successfully removing the showerhead, you can go ahead and take a closer look at its parts. If they look run down or damaged, this could indicate the need for a replacement. A tattered showerhead can be the cause of the leak, and in that case, you will definitely need to buy a new one.
Step 3. Clean the Showerhead
In cases where your showerhead remains in good condition, you can clean it when you’re experiencing a minor leak. If the buildup of dirt and other particles is the culprit behind the leak, all you have to do is take care of the clog to get your shower running back to normal.
To clean your showerhead properly, you can fill a pot with water and three cups of vinegar, and bring it to a boil. Allow your showerhead to stay in the mixture for about half an hour. Then, you can take out the showerhead and use an old toothbrush to remove any remaining gunk inside it. Rinse it, and repeat the process until you get rid of the rest of the blockage and debris.
Step 4. Return the Showerhead to its Place
After following the steps above to repair your showerhead, if you’re sure that it’s free from damage and debris, you can go ahead and return the showerhead to its original place. Don’t forget to double-check if it’s secure in its position. Be careful not to over tighten it, though, because you could end up breaking it. Hand tightening is best in these situations.
Finally, you can turn your water supply back on and test out the showerhead to see if it’s working correctly and there is no sign of any further leaks. Leave the water running for a couple of seconds before you turn it off to assure you the problem is completely gone.
Conclusion
Fixing a showerhead for minor problems is fairly simple, so you should be able to tackle the repair yourself. But, if you’ve followed the steps above and the leak is still there, it probably means it’s time to seek professional help from a licensed plumbing contractor. The issue could be more serious than you thought. When you reach out to a qualified plumber, they can take care of any leaks and keep your entire bathroom from becoming affected. They can also spot any possible deeper causes for your leaking problem.
Are you looking for a plumbing contractor in Longview for shower repair services? ServiceProz is a Longview plumbing company that is ready and willing to help with all of your residential plumbing problems. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment! Call our office at (903) 212-7769
