Cities Most Commonly Serviced:

How to Repair a Leaking Shower

leaking shower faucet can substantially drive up a homeowner’s water bill, resulting in costs that are two or even three times higher than they should be. If you have a leaky shower faucet, call a local plumber to get it fixed right away to avoid overpaying for water. What many homeowners don’t realize is that not only does a leaky faucet in a shower increase water usage, but it can also lead to water damage very quickly. Leaking water keeps a shower or tub wet, creating the right environment for mold growth that can spread throughout the bathroom, into walls and flooring. Additionally, if the leaking water is from the hot water side, your water heater is using energy constantly to heat the leaking water. This will increase utility usage and can overtax the water heater tank as well.

Most often a water leak in a shower is the result of a worn seal, rubber o ring, or gasket inside the faucet. Other times, an internal part may be corroded or blocked, reducing its ability to function normally. 

licensed plumber will turn off the water to the entire area (not just the shower) and drain any water left in the bathroom pipes before repairing a leaking shower faucet. Afterwards, the professional plumber will remove the faucet handle using a method that’s specific to the type of faucet without damaging the finish. Next the local plumber will unscrew the locking screw and remove the faucet using a specialized tool called a faucet puller. With a plumber’s socket wrench (a professional grade deep wrench) the experienced plumber will remove the faucet stem from the valve body by unscrewing the assembly. The washers, o rings, and seals will all be replaced before reassembling the faucet and testing it. At this point, the shower faucet leak should be fixed.

Additional Resources:
DIY Shower Leak Repair
Fixing a Bathroom Faucet
My Water Bill is Too High!
Is it a Good Idea to do Your Own Plumbing?
Dealing with Home Water Damage
Do You Need a New Shower?
Do Plumbers Repair Faucets?
Repairing your own Shower Faucet
Who can Replace a Shower in your Home?
Replacing a Tub with a Shower
What Should you do if you Have a Leaky Shower Faucet?
My Shower Head is Leaking
How Plumbers Fix Shower Faucets