Tips To Diagnose And Fix A Leaking Shower

Leaking showers most often urge you to make an immediate call to the local plumber. This is because the problem of shower leaks is often considered too complex by you to handle yourself. But this is not the case. The shower leaks can be fixed by even a novice provided that he possesses the correct logic and a wise supervision. Here are some tips that make you a do-it-yourself plumber as far as fixing your shower leaks is concerned.

Before you do anything else make sure all the tools that would be required in the project are available. These include a Teflon tape roll, a pipe wrench or crescent wrench and a washer( plastic or rubber O-ring).

Once all the tools are in tact, remove the shower head from the stem to discover the junction where head meets the pipe. Though the head is removed easily by the hands but if it is a bit tight then avail the services of a pipe wrench or a crescent wrench. If the head is held on with screws then unscrew the head.

Once the shower head is detached take a look into the shower head to locate the place where the head screws into the pipe. A plastic or rubber O-ring washer would be located there. If the washer leaves a black goo on your fingers then it is time to replace it. Match the size of the washer with a new one to replace it effectively. Just push the new washer into the assembly such that it is placed flat inside the fixture.

After fixing the washer check the threads on the stem. They require a regular tightening operation since they’re susceptible to constant loosening. Wrap a Teflon tape (two wraps only) around the threading to tighten the arrangement making sure that tape is wrapped in the same direction as that of the thread flow. Only the area of the pipe where the thread runs should be wrapped and not the smooth pipe area.

Once the washer and the threads are tightened remount the shower head on the pipe. Hand-tight the fixture as over tightening may damage the threads or the screws. Turn on the water to notice any water leaks or drips from the shower head.

If the shower is still dripping then a review of the same procedure may be considered. Increase the number of wraps around the threads to three and also tighten the head a bit more.

By this time the problem should have been solved but if it doesn’t then the services of a plumber have to be availed as the leaks might have to do with the shower’s water-control valve.

Scott Rodgers is a noted author who has been providing great guidance on plumbing works all over the country. His incredible knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the country, from Winter Park Plumbers(Need one? click here!) to West Palm Beach Plumbers(Need one? click here!).