The Easiest Way to Fix a Dripping Shower Head

A dripping shower head is not only annoying, it’s also a waste of water with environmental and financial consequences. There are a number of different issues that can cause a shower head to leak, including some that are best left to professional plumbers.

However, if your shower head starts dripping out of nowhere one day, you can try these simple solutions first. So you won’t hire a professional for something simple that you could do yourself for a fraction of the cost. Here’s what to do.

How to fix a dripping shower head

Three common causes of a shower head leaking are mineral buildup, a worn o-ring, and bad plumbing tape on the shower holder. Here’s how to deal with each issue:

Clean shower head

Minerals in hard water can build up over time, leaving behind deposits such as limescale that can clog small holes in your shower head. When this happens, the water still needs to go somewhere, and since it cannot flow through the holes, it can get between the holder and the showerhead , causing a leak.

While it is technically possible to clean the shower head without removing it by soaking it in a plastic bag, this should only be a last resort in case the shower head is so rusted that it won’t budge. It is much more effective to remove the showerhead and soak it in a solution of white vinegar and water, using a toothbrush to remove the particularly stubborn mineral deposits.

This Lifehacker article will guide you through the entire process.

Replace o-ring

If cleaning your shower head didn’t stop the dripping, it’s time to look at the o-ring or washer . These small parts create a waterproof seal between the head and shower holder, but they don’t last forever and can crack or deteriorate over time, resulting in a leak.

To replace yours with a new one, first remove the head from the holder, then the O-ring or washer from the shower head. Your new one should be exactly the same as the one you’re replacing, so it’s easiest to bring your old one to the hardware store and ask for the same one. Once you have it, insert a new O-ring or washer, then reassemble and attach the shower head.

Change the plumber’s tape

When you removed the shower head from its bracket, you probably noticed that there was some adhesive tape left on it. This is plumbing tape (also known as thread sealing tape and formerly known as Teflon tape) and this too becomes less effective over time and may be at least partially responsible for the dripping shower head.

First, carefully unwind the old tape by removing it from the shower holder. Then use a toothbrush to remove the sticky residue. Then wrap new plumbing tape around the groove at the end of the shower head (thread) two or three times clockwise, pressing it firmly into the grooves as you go. Finally, reattach the shower head.

If none of this works, it might be time to call a plumber. And even if you didn’t manage to stop the dripping, your attempts weren’t a waste of time: you now have a clean and properly sealed shower head.