Shower head problems can be a pain. But there are a few simple things you can do to fix them yourself, without calling a plumber.
First, shut off the water to your shower head. This can be done by turning off the valve supplying the shower or by removing the shower handle.
1. Clogged
A shower head that doesn’t work can be frustrating. If you’ve switched to a new shower head and your normal shower flow has diminished to a trickle or stopped entirely, it could be caused by one of several things. It’s important to check if there are any obvious causes of the problem such as mineral deposits or a damaged washer or O-ring before calling in a professional.
Over time, your shower head can become clogged with mineral deposits and soap scum that block the tiny holes in the head. This can reduce your water pressure and prevent water from flowing properly. You can usually clear this by soaking the head in white vinegar or using a commercial cleaner for shower heads.
If you’ve had a clogged shower head for years and it has recently worsened, there may be an issue with your home’s hard water. This can lead to a build-up of calcium, magnesium and divalent and trivalent metallic elements that will cause your shower head to work harder to keep up with demand. Adding a water softener to your home will help reduce these issues and improve your shower head’s performance.
Another common issue is a worn washer or O-ring that needs to be replaced. Typically, this is an easy DIY job and can be done with household tools. To do this, remove the shower head and unscrew the arm. Clean the arm threads and coat them with plumber’s joint compound or wrap them in Teflon tape clockwise 2-3 times to make sure they don’t leak.
2. Broken
If you notice your shower head dripping long after turning it off, it’s likely that the valve inside is defective. When a showerhead valve is broken, it can’t close properly, allowing water to leak out of the connecting nut and into your home. You can sometimes fix this by tightening the showerhead, but in some cases you may need to replace it entirely.
Another common problem is a leaking shower head handle. This is often caused by a washer or O-ring that has hardened or split over time, leaving the showerhead to leak from these areas. You can usually fix this by soaking your showerhead in vinegar, which will loosen any mineral deposits and make them easier to scrub or poke through with a toothpick.
You can also try removing the handle and replacing the seal. This is best done while wearing gloves, to protect your hands from cuts. If your showerhead is a compression faucet with separate handles for hot and cold water, you can figure out which handle is leaking by feeling the temperature of the water coming from each. This will help you find the proper seal to replace.
Finally, if you have tried all of these steps and still can’t get your shower head to stop leaking, it may be time to call a plumber. A professional will be able to determine exactly what is causing the problem and help you make the necessary repairs. Some professional shower restoration services might be in order to get your shower up and running again.
3. Damaged
Shower heads that drip even after you turn the water off are usually a sign of a worn out cartridge. Cartridge faucets use a plastic cartridge instead of a stem and seat to create a seal, but they can still become clogged with mineral deposits or break down over time. Replacing the cartridge is usually the only way to restore your shower head to its former glory, and it’s a fairly simple task that doesn’t require any special tools or plumbing skills.
In some cases, the problem may be less serious and could simply be caused by a loose screw or O-ring. The best way to check is by turning off your shower and removing the shower handle, then slipping off the cap that covers the valve body stem (this can be removed by twisting or unscrewing it). Next, remove the old cartridge and replace it with a new one, using a bit of plumber’s grease or Teflon tape to help create a watertight seal.
If you’ve tried this but still have a leaking shower head, it may be time to call in a professional. A professional can fix the issue quickly and easily, saving you money and hassle. They’ll also know which parts to use to ensure a tight and watertight fit. They can also recommend the best type of shower head for your home. This will ensure you get the most effective and comfortable shower possible.
4. Dirty
The nozzles on your shower head aren’t just for spraying water, they can also be home to some not-so-pleasant bacteria. According to Manchester University research, a fungus called Malassezia restricta can live inside the black gunge clogging your shower heads and cause dandruff and other scalp problems.
Even when you scrub your nozzles regularly, mineral deposits can build up, causing holes to get clogged and preventing an even flow of water. One of the easiest ways to combat this is to simply soak your shower head in vinegar, which is a mild acid that can dissolve some of the build-ups and reopen the holes.
If you want to try this, wrap your shower head in a plastic bag filled with about a cup of white vinegar and secure it with a rubber band. Leave it to sit in the bag for an hour or so to soak away any minerals and debris that might be clogging your shower head’s water holes.
Afterwards, you can try to dislodge any remaining deposits by massaging the nozzles with your finger or using a toothbrush. If you’re still noticing a decrease in water pressure, try running some hot water through your pipes to help flush out any leftover sediment. You should also replace any old sealant tape on the pipe with new tape to ensure a watertight and waterproof connection. This will help prevent future leaks and other issues down the road.
5. Corroded
Nothing is worse than jumping in the shower to get ready for the day and finding that there’s little to no water coming out of your shower head. This could be caused by a few different issues, but luckily most of them are easy to fix yourself without the need for professional help.
Corroded shower heads are often the result of mineral deposits that clog the holes in the shower head. These mineral deposits can cause a lot of problems, including low water pressure and even a complete stoppage of water flow. If this is the case, you can try to remove the mineral deposits by covering the shower head with a plastic bag full of vinegar or CLR solution and leaving it overnight. You can also remove the shower head from the shower arm and wrap Teflon tape around the shower pipe’s thread in a clockwise direction to prevent leaks.
Before you start working on your shower, make sure to shut off the water supply to it by turning off the valve that supplies it directly or by shutting off the main water valve in your home. You’ll also want to protect the finish of your tub or shower floor from any drips that might happen during this process. Once everything is shut off, you can begin taking your shower head apart. First, start by loosening the collar nut that holds the shower head to the shower arm using a wrench. Then, carefully unscrew the head from the arm.
6. Misaligned
If you notice that little water is coming out of your shower head, it could be because the shower arm is crooked or not aligned properly. A simple solution for this is to grab some PTFE tape (more commonly known as Teflon or plumber’s tape), which will act as a lubricant between the shower arm and fitting.
Simply wrap the tape around the pipe threads a few times, and then screw on the shower head. Make sure to tighten the head firmly, but be careful not to over-tighten. Once the head is on, re-tighten the collar nut. You should also re-wrap the collar nut in tape to protect it.
Alternatively, you can use penetrating oil if the threads are rusted. Once you’ve tightened the nut, you can then turn on your shower to see if it has straightened out.
Shower heads can be tricky to take apart, but most of these problems are easy to fix. Just be sure to turn off your water at the valve before you start working, and that you have all of the tools listed above. Using these steps, you should be able to get your shower head back up and running in no time! Good luck! Mark Williams is a renowned author and expert in the field of water filtration systems. He has written several books on the subject and is a regular contributor to various online blogs.
