A leaking shower faucet or shower head is both inconvenient and costly. A leaking shower faucet (valve) can waste hundreds of gallons of water per week, in addition to the unpleasant drip, drip, drip. Worse, a leak on the hot water side of the shower valve can waste a lot of energy because the water heater has to run all the time to keep the water warm that isn’t being used. Let us learn how to repair a leaky shower faucet valve.
Shower Faucet Valve
The shower faucet valve is a mechanism that controls the water flow in the shower faucet. The valve is either inside or outside of the shower enclosure. It can be opened by turning it to the left or right. A leaky shower faucet valve is usually the most noticeable symptom of a problem with this part of your plumbing fixture.
What Causes a Drip from a Leaky Shower Faucet or a Shower Head?
There is an issue with the shower faucet if water drips or drizzles from the shower head (valve). Inner seals are usually worn out, or sections have corroded or become clogged with hard water deposits. Furthermore, the rubber O-rings and gaskets that seal connections between moving metal elements deteriorate through time and use. Water squirts or drops out when they do.
Before Starting…
When you turn off a shower faucet and water continues to drip from the shower head, it’s natural to instinctively close the handle as firmly as you can. Unfortunately, this is likely to aggravate the situation. Make sure the faucet handle is completely turned off, but not too tight! The valve may be harmed as a result of this.
Place rags in the tub or shower floor beneath the faucets and over the drain to protect the surfaces and prevent small parts from falling down the drain when working on shower faucets. Turn off the water supply before turning on the shower valve. A shut-off valve can be found in the bathroom, near the shower, or in the basement in some homes. Turn off the water supply to the entire house if you can’t find the shower shut-off valves.
Fixing a Leaky Two-Handle Shower Faucet
First, the handle should be removed. On the stem that is on the other side of the water flow, unscrew and remove it. Once it’s removed, pour some white vinegar over the top and allow it to soak for a few minutes. Take a damp cloth and wipe away any excess liquid. Screw back onto the stem and replace the handle.
Fixing a Delta Shower Faucet
Fixing a leaky Delta shower faucet is not that difficult and can be done in a day. Delta shower faucets are often installed incorrectly and require some fixing to be done on them. The water lines need to be shut off and the faucet needs to be removed from the wall. The mounting nuts need to be unscrewed and then they should splice into the copper pipes. Next, take care of any other leaks that exist within the area. Next, tighten any loose-fitting hardware that might have loosened while removing the faucet. The water lines should also be tested to make sure that there are no leaks while all of this work is being done on the plumbing system.
Fixing a Leaky Price Pfister Shower Faucet
If you want to fix a leaky Price Pfister shower faucet, there are a couple of things you will need. First, you will need to disconnect the shower head and handle from the valve. This can be accomplished by unscrewing both pieces with a screwdriver. After that, turn the water off and detach the pipe that is attached to the faucet. Then take apart all parts that connect with one another and clean them off with an abrasive cleaner such as vinegar or rubbing alcohol.
You might also need some plumber’s putty to seal any leaks in your Price Pfister faucet. You can find this at many hardware stores and it’s usually sold in small triangular sheets.
Fixing a Leaky Moen Shower Faucet
Here are some common reasons for leaks and how to repair them without calling in an expert.
1) Moen Shower Faucet Leaking From Handle: The handle on your faucet probably just needs tightening with a screwdriver or wrench–no need for expensive repairs!
2) Moen Shower Head Leaking From Base: Tighten the head by turning it clockwise until there’s no more play in its threads.
3) Moen Shower Spout: The Moen shower spout is a common fixture in many homes. It’s used to deliver water from the pipeline into your bathtub or shower. The spout can be adjusted up and down, but it may need some help if the arm has become loose or broken over time.
There’s Always a Professional That Can Help
After doing the tips above and the issue still persists, then it is time to call a professional. They have the exact tools that you might not have and also the experience and knowledge to fix your leaky shower faucet in a short amount of time. To learn more about a professional plumber that can help you, please click here.
