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How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head

Introduction

Water is leaking at the connection between the shower head and the pipe? No problem! Here are some simple steps to fix it!

What you need

  1. How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head, How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head: step 1, image 1 of 2 How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head, How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Use a ruler to measure about 8" long on the teflon tape. Then use a pair of scissors to cut it.

    Edit

  2. How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head: step 2, image 1 of 2 How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Place the wrench on the shower head mount. Adjust the wrench to fit tightly on the mount.

    • For showerheads with shiny finishes, use a rag between the showerhead and the wrench to prevent scratching off the finish.

    • Turn the wrench counter-clockwise to loosen the showerhead, then unscrew it the rest of the way by hand to remove it.

    • Be careful not to have the shower head fall down and hit yourself when taking it down.

    Edit

  4. How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head: step 3, image 1 of 3 How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head: step 3, image 2 of 3 How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Place and hold one end of the tape on the threads at the end of the shower arm (the pipe coming out of the wall).

    • Teflon tape likes to stick to itself, so be careful not to let it fold over itself, or you'll be unfolding it all day.

    • While taking care to keep the tape flat, wrap it clockwise around the threads, completely covering them and wrapping back over itself to stick.

    • Be sure to wrap the tape clockwise, so that as you tighten the showerhead it won't unravel the tape.

    Edit

  5. How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head: step 4, image 1 of 3 How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head: step 4, image 2 of 3 How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Thread the showerhead back onto the shower arm.

    • Spin it on a few times to get it hand tight.

    Edit

  6. How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head: step 5, image 1 of 2 How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Test out the showerhead with your hand tightening first. If it still leaks, you may need to wrench on it a bit to seal things up.

    • Again, use the rag trick if your showerhead is shiny and you could scratch off the finish.

    • Be careful not to overtighten, as you could very easily damage the showerhead, shower arm, or plumbing within the shower wall.

    Edit

  7. How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • The tape is replaced! However this may not have solved your problem. If the showerhead still leaks from the joint with the shower arm, there may be dirt or debris in the joint, or damaged threads on the shower arm.

    • Try tightening the showerhead a little more with your wrench, or reapplying teflon tape to ensure a good layer.

    Edit
Conclusion

This guide is made to maintain the tightened connection between the shower head and the pipe. If the shower head is leaking water elsewhere except at the connection, please seek for other fixing guides for repairing shower head leaking problem.

6 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 4 other contributors

Jiahui Wu

Member since: 02/23/15

269 Reputation

1 Guide authored

Badges: 7

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Team

Cal Poly, Team 12-5, Green Winter 2015 Member of Cal Poly, Team 12-5, Green Winter 2015

CPSU-GREEN-W15S12G5

3 Members

8 Guides authored

1 Guide Comment

I found the rubber washer was missing on the end of the hose so I put a 1/4" rubber grommet and it just happened to squish in the middle for a leak-less connection.

Craig Armstrong - Reply Share

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