Did you know that the drip, drip, drip you hear and see from your shower head can waste up to 11 gallons of water per day? That’s 330 gallons per month! Left unchecked, it’s like throwing money down the drain – literally.
Ready for some good news? Many shower head leaks can be repaired with just a few simple tools and a little DIY know-how. Here are a few things to try.
Soak the shower head in white vinegar.
The cause of the leak might be as simple as hard water deposits that build up in the holes of the head, forcing water to back up and exit around the faceplate or in between the shower head and arm. Loosen the nut that secures the shower head to the arm and remove the head. Soak it overnight in a basin or large bowl filled with vinegar and scrub the holes in the morning with a small brush. Then rinse clean and reinstall.
If that doesn’t do the trick, check the seal. Washers and O-rings can become worn over time, allowing water to leak out. If you suspect a worn or damaged seal, disassemble the shower head and replace the worn component. When purchasing a seal, take the old one with you to make sure you buy an exact match.
Do you have a compression faucet,
where two different handles control hot and cold water? If so, check which handle is causing the leak by feeling the temp of the leaking water when the shower is turned off. Then, turn off the water supply to the shower and remove the handle in question by removing the screw located below the handle or hidden under a cap. Remove the cover trim and use a deep socket wrench to remove the hex nut that secures the faucet stem. There you should find a rubber washer; replace the washer and reassemble the faucet.
If your shower is equipped with a single handle that controls both hot and cold water, turn off the water supply and remove the handle – it too is held in place by a small screw underneath the handle or a cap. Take off the faceplate and cap that covers the valve body stem either by twisting or removing a screw. Remove the stem cover to reveal the end of a plastic cartridge; it will either be secured with a clip or a nut. Remove the clip or nut and, using a pair of pliers, grasp the stem of the cartridge and pull it out. Again, take the damaged one with you to the hardware store to ensure an exact match. Install the new cartridge and reassemble the faucet.
So simple, a four-year old can handle the job, right? Probably not – maybe it’s not even within the range of practicality for a grown-up like you. When things aren’t going your way or you’d simply rather not be bothered, contact Norhio Plumbing for all the assistance you need. It’s no bother at all.
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