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Shower Handle O-ring Replacement

Introduction

If you have a shower head with a constant drip, follow this simple and easy guide to replace the rubber o-ring in your shower handle. Replacing the O-ring can help prevent hard water build up, rusting, and wasting water.

What you need

  1. Shower Handle O-ring Replacement, Shower Handle O-ring: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Be sure your water main is turned off, preventing water flow to your shower.

    • Using your flat head screwdriver, remove the screw from the middle of the handle.

    Edit

  2. Shower Handle O-ring Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Use your groove joint pliers to loosen and remove the escutcheon plate.

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  4. Shower Handle O-ring Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Using your groove joint pliers, loosen and remove the cartridge stem.

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  5. Shower Handle O-ring Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Slowly unscrew and remove the stem completely.

    • There may be some water leakage due to built up pressure.

    Edit

  6. Shower Handle O-ring Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 Shower Handle O-ring Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Using your flat head screwdriver, remove the screw from the end of the stem cartridge.

    • Once the screw is removed, replace the damaged O-ring with the new replacement O-ring.

    • When installing a new O-ring, be sure the O-ring has a tight seal to prevent further leaking.

    • Once reassembly is complete and all parts are snug, turn the water main back on to allow water to flow to the shower again.

    Edit
Finish Line

3 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 2 other contributors

Cori Fitzpatrick

Member since: 03/20/16

213 Reputation

1 Guide authored

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Team

Michigan Tech, Team 1-6, Lauer Spring 2016 Member of Michigan Tech, Team 1-6, Lauer Spring 2016

MTU-LAUER-S16S1G6

1 Member

1 Guide authored

5 Guide Comments

I have to change my shower handle, but the plumber asking me to change the shower valve also. But I can’t see any reason to replace the shower valve, is it really necessary to change it when changing shower handle.

Thanks.

Rose Geiger - Reply

This fixed the dripping shower head but now my shower handles are tight and difficult to turn and the water pressure is affected after replacing the o-rings. What could the issue be?

Cin - Reply

Try putting petroleum jelly all over the outside of the stem/cartridge (including the threading/grooves) before screwing it all back together. That will keep your handles turning smoothly, and easily.

It's the plumbing equivalent to WD40.

Jess -

As for the change in water pressure, I'm not sure what that would be. Did you use the same size O-ring?

Jess -

I have the same handles and stems, but leaking not from the rubber. Leaking occuring when tuning on the handle. Do you know where to find the parts?

Phil Yue - Reply

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