Shower Is Leaking From Spout – What To Do?

You are having leaky shower head problems and are wondering what to do about it. Whether the faucet is turned off or just leaking around the body, we have researched the answers to these questions. You might wonder if you need to hire a plumber or if this is a repair you can do yourself.

When your shower is leaking from the spout, you can follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix the problem. 

  • Soak the showerhead in vinegar
  • Look at the seal and replace the O-ring or washer, if necessary.
  • Replace the washer in the faucet
  • Replace a cartridge in the valve assembly

Now that you know the steps to solve your leaky shower spout, you might be looking for more specific details. You probably want to know what tools you may need to fix the leaky shower yourself. While we're talking about shower nozzles, we'll also discuss how much water can be wasted and how to clean a clogged shower head. Keep reading to learn more.

A leaking shower spout inside a blue colored living room, Shower Is Leaking From Spout - What To Do?

Shower  Is Leaking From Spout - What To Do?

Leaking hose due to damage from poor plumbing

Here is a look at each step individually and the tools you will need to complete the step.

Soak The Showerhead In Vinegar

This is the easiest step that doesn't require any tools. Some people have water that is high in iron and can cause the showerhead to clog more easily. Some of these iron deposits can get stuck in the showerhead's tiny holes and cause water to push out the side of the faceplate. Soak it overnight to soften and loosen the deposits, then scrub it and reattach. You can use a toothbrush to scrub and a wire to remove debris inside the holes of the showerhead.

Lucy's Distilled White Vinegar (1 Gallon)

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Look At The Seal

Washers and O-rings may need to be replaced if they are worn out. It's hard to predict how long a seal can last, but some plumbing washers may only last for a year or less. Just remove the showerhead and take out the O-ring. Take the ring with you to the store to make sure you get the same size for the replacement.

Shower Head Gasket Washer (3-pk)

Click here to buy Shower Head Gaskets from Amazon. 

Replace The Washer In the Faucet

If the washer or O-ring in the showerhead assembly is not the problem, then the next step is to look at the faucet handles. This step only applies if you have a compression faucet system with two faucet handles, one for hot and one for cold. Before you get started, turn off the water supply.

Check the dripping water to determine if it is hot or cold. Then remove the faucet that corresponds to the temperature. This is held on with a screw, but you may need to pry off the faceplate to access the screw.  Then you will need a deep socket wrench to remove the hex nut on the faucet stem. After you remove the nut, you will have access to the washer. Remove the washer and replace it, then reassemble the faucet assembly.

Replace A Cartridge In The Valve Assembly

If you do not have a compression faucet, then you have a single faucet assembly. If the cartridge in your faucet assembly is cracked or worn, it will cause water to drip. Turn off the water supply and remove the faceplate to have access to the screw. Then you will remove the stem cover to have access to the cartridge. The cartridge is attached with a nut or a clip. Remove the nut or clip and remove the cartridge with needle-nose pliers.

Pro Parts Plus Dual Seal Cartridge Replacement

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Can You Overtighten A Shower Head?

You can overtighten a showerhead, which may cause damage to the gaskets or threads. Overtightening the showerhead can cause more leaking as a result. You should be able to hand tighten the showerhead, and you will be less likely to overtighten it. No tools are necessary. You shouldn't use all of your strength to tighten the head.

How To Fix A Handheld Leaky Shower Head?

If you have a handheld showerhead that is leaking, there are more steps to resolve the problem.

  1. Disconnect the hose by grasping the showerhead and twisting the nut counterclockwise.
  2. Clean off plumbers tape that has hardened onto the threads. Inspect the threads.
  3. Disconnect the showerhead from the handle.
  4. Soak the showerhead in vinegar for 30 minutes and scrub with a metal brush.
  5. Put Teflon tape over the male threads on the handle. Wrap the tape in a clockwise manner
  6. Reattach the showerhead to the hose fitting.
  7. Replace rubber washers at each end of the hose.
  8. Reattach the hose to the showerhead disc.
  9. Test to see if the water is still leaking.

What Is The Best Handheld Shower Head?

If you are looking for a high-quality showerhead, you want leak-proof and good water pressure. Handheld showerheads have an extra hose with washers at each end of the hose. This creates more possible spots where water may leak through. Clogged showerheads will cause more leaks, so anti-clog shower heads are a good choice.

WASSA High-Pressure Anti-Leak Shower Head

Click here to buy this WASSA High-Pressure Anti-Leak Shower Head at Amazon. 

How Much Water Does A Leaky Shower Head Waste?

A leaky shower head that drips once every second or 60 times per minute will waste 5 gallons of water every day. If the showerhead continues to leak at this pace for a whole year, it will waste 2,083 gallons. The water cost is so low for residential water in the United States that 5 gallons per day might only cost 1 or 2 cents. Multiplied by 365 days would only be about $5 wasted each year. Still, you might want to conserve water for other reasons and stop that annoying dripping sound.

Can A Clogged Shower Head Cause A Leak?

Mineral deposits like iron can harden and clog your showerhead. When you turn on the water to your shower, the water will try to push out through the showerhead. If there is a clog, then the water may be forced to move in other directions. This can cause a leak around the base of the handle or the pipe. The clogged shower head will not only cause leaks, but it will worsen the water pressure in your shower. You should clean your shower head, unclog your shower head, making your shower run with more efficiency.

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How Do You Clean A Clogged Shower Head?

A clogged showerhead can cause leaks, but it can also make your shower less enjoyable. You should soak the showerhead in distilled vinegar for at least 30 minutes. Then you can use a toothbrush to scrub loose the mineral deposits. You might also use a small metal wire to dislodge any deposits that are still stuck in the holes of the showerhead. After you scrub free and dislodge the deposits, you can reattach the head and test to see if the efficiency of the showerhead is improved.

Showerhead Keeps Getting Clogged - What To Do?

Many shower heads are not made to prevent clogs or leaks from happening. Showerhead technology has improved over the years, and there are some better options on the market. Some showerheads can be taken apart to easily clean the mineral deposits. This also helps to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Check out one of the anti-clog showerheads to also get better water pressure in your shower.

AquaDance Anti-Clog Shower Head

Click here to buy the AquaDance Anti-Clog Shower Head at Amazon. 

Leaky Bathroom Faucets - What To Do?

While you're working on solving your leaky shower issues, maybe you should solve any other leaking issues you have in your house or apartment. Leaky bathroom faucets are caused by many of the same reasons as leaky showerheads. Loose parts or washers, o-ring problems, and water pressure issues are some of the most common problems with bathroom faucets. You can read about the other possible problems and ways to solve your leaky faucets by reading this post Why Do Bathroom Faucets Leak? [6 Most Common Problems Revealed]

In Closing

If you have a leaky shower spout, there are a few possible causes. Most of the solutions and repairs you can do yourself. You will want to soak the showerhead to dislodge any hardened deposits, which will help the water flow properly. Then, the next step is replacing the rubber washers at each connection point. If you have a one handle faucet, then you may need to replace the cartridge to fix the leak. If you have a two-handle faucet, you may need to replace the washers behind one of the two faucet handles.

For more information about problems with bathroom faucets, check out Why Has My Touch Faucet Stopped Working?

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