Troubleshooting a Leaking Showerhead

A persistent drip from your showerhead is more than annoying. If left untreated, a leaking showerhead can lead to wasted water, and high water bills and cost you hundreds of dollars in repairs.

Our team of qualified and fully licensed plumbers has put together a list of troubleshooting options to help you fix your annoying leaking showerhead.

Some Common Causes of Leaky Showerheads

Worn Out Washers and O-rings

Worn-out washers are a common cause of showerhead leaks. These small rubber or plastic components are essential for creating a watertight seal between the showerhead and shower arm. Over time, exposure to high temperatures and water pressure, these washers can become brittle and crack, resulting in leaks.

If you notice the water is dipping from the base of your showerhead, this is a warning sign that your washers and O-rings have worn out. Luckily, fixing this is easy and cheap and is simply a matter of unscrewing your showerhead, swapping it out, and then reassembling it.

Damaged Valves

Is your showerhead still dripping even though it is turned off? This is a tell tale sign that your valves and cartridges are faulty or damaged. Valves are located behind the shower handle and control the flow of water to the showerhead. If left unchecked, this cartridge can wear out and become corroded or damaged, preventing it from doing its job and making it drip.

Build-up of Limescale and Mineral Deposits

Another common cause of a leaking showerhead is a build-up of limescale or mineral deposits. This is particularly common in areas that have hard water. Over time, minerals like calcium and magnesium in your water crystalise inside your pipes and showerhead, affecting the water flow and clogging up the nozzles. These blockages can force water out through small hairline gaps or cause pressure to build, leading to leaks.

Limescale blocks showerhead

Loose Connections

Sometimes the simplest answers are the right ones. As your shower is something that is used every day, they are particularly susceptible to general wear and tear and can become loose. Vibrations from the water, accidental bumps and even improper installation can cause this connection to loosen over time. If the seal isn’t watertight, high-pressured water will find a way to escape the joint between your showerhead and shower arm, resulting in leaks.

High Water Pressure

Excessively high water pressure can put a significant amount of stress on the seals and connections within your showerhead. The high water pressure can force water through the showerhead even when it's turned off, resulting in annoying drips.

Identifying the Leak in Your Showerhead

Identifying the leak in your showerhead can be a long and tedious process and depends on what type of showerhead you have. However, the most common ways to identify a leak are:

Peeling Paint
Excessive Mould and Mildew Growth
The tiles underneath your showerhead are curling upwards

Should I Repair My Showerhead or Replace it Completely?

Our plumbers have put together a quick guide to help you to decide which direction to go in:

Repair your showerhead if:

You have minor issues like a worn out washer or o-ring or a loose connection
There is visible limescale on your showerhead that can be easily cleaned off
The leak is new and you have located it easily
You are comfortable and confident with fixing it yourself

Replace your showerhead if:

It’s old, corroded or has visible cracks
You have tried to repair it and the showerhead is still leaking
The internal components such as the valve or cartridge are faulty and are failing

Cracked leaking showerhead

Prevention is the Key

A leaking showerhead might seem like a small annoying problem, but when left untreated it can waste water, leading to high energy bills and even damage your plumbing systems. Recognising the signs of a leaky showerhead and knowing what to do is essential to preventing further damage and avoiding paying expensive repair costs.

Depending on the cause of your leaky showerhead, you can easily DIY it. However, if it's something more complicated, it’s better to be safe than sorry and leave it to the professionals.

For more information about how to fix your showerhead, call our team of fully qualified plumbers at (02) 8188 5339 or fill out our online enquiry form today.