How to fix leaking shower head: best methods and quick fixes (2024)

If the shower head keeps dripping, it can quickly become expensive. In this article, we will tell you how toto fix leaking shower head problems and how to prevent the problem happening again. Also read how to build an outdoor shower step by step.

How to fix leaking shower head problems: standard vs rain shower leaks

In a rain shower, the water rolls down on you like warm summer rain. This is pleasantly tingling on the skin and ensures a relaxing shower experience. However, such a shower tends to drip afterwards. Sometimes this even happens several hours after the shower process. But you can rest assured that this is not necessarily due to a technical defect. With our guide you will learn why the overhead shower often drips, how to fix a leaking shower head and how you differentiate between normal dripping and a leaky one. Also read how to fix leaking toilet problems and save your money

Residual water flows off

By default, every rain shower drips a little after showering. This phenomenon can be explained physically very well: As soon as you turn off the water in the shower, a negative pressure is created in the area between the hose and the shower or between the shower rail and the shower head.

The rain shower hangs on a wall or ceiling outlet and is not the top line point after the fitting. The water that is still in the system at this moment wants to escape. However, when it is shut off, neither air nor water comes in. The residual water does not simply flow away and air enters the shower head through the outlet nozzles.

After a while, the pressure in the shower system is equalized and the ambient pressure. As a result, the water that remains in the system due to the negative pressure drips off in droplets. Under certain circ*mstances, this does not occur until many hours later, as heat and cold influence the air pressure in the bathroom differently.

Drops through leaky fittings

In addition to the physical phenomenon, dripping can be explained in some cases by a defective fitting. If this is leaky, if the connection hoses are porous or if the cartridge is no longer fully functional, these causes can lead to a steady drop. Here you should replace the fitting, the seals or the necessary spare part. If necessary, call in a specialist who will assist you with how to fix leaky shower head problems.

How do I know the type of dripping?

Before you hire a plumber or make unnecessary repairs to the mixer tap, you should get to the bottom of the cause of the dripping. First check whether the rain shower is dripping as standard. You can recognize this by the type of water flow, as an overhead shower usually drips in intermittent drops. Since the water flows off due to the pressure conditions, no continuous dripping can occur. If this is not the case and the water flows off evenly and continuously, then the shower continues to drip due to a defective tap.

Higher water costs due to dripping?

The shower drips and drips – the concern about increased water costs quickly develops. But we can reassure you. As long as the dripping corresponds to the physical phenomenon and is therefore normal, you will not incur any additional costs. The dripping water is already in the shower hose, the shower rod or the shower head during the shower process. The residual water simply escapes from the system as it drips and flows off into the drain. Since you had already closed the tap after showering, the flow of water is interrupted and consumption remains constant.

If the faucet is defective, the dripping can slightly increase the water consumption. If the seals are porous and the supply no longer closes properly, the water continues to flow out of the pipe. At first glance they are only small drops, but after a while they turn into a few liters of water. It is therefore advisable to repair the tap promptly in order to save costs and protect the environment.

What can you do to prevent water dripping?

The dripping is easy to explain and is usually normal, but still annoying. Because the water creates additional moisture in the bathroom, which is an excellent breeding ground for mold. It also leads to limescale stains in the shower and limescale deposits in the shower head. In order to counteract the drop immediately and effectively, we have summarized two possible solutions for you.

Switch to the hand shower

A shower system with an overhead shower also includes a hand showerthat you can access via a diverter. So you can always switch between the two showers. Under the rain shower you can enjoy the relaxing summer rain, it hangs high above you on a shower arm and is permanently mounted there. With the hand shower you can shower specific parts of the body and usually switch between different jet types.

It sits in the shower cradle and represents the end point of the installation in the shower set. You can therefore let the residual water escape through the shower head. At the end of the shower, simply switch to this and give it a quick shake. In order to save water and continue to shower comfortably, it is advisable to integrate the changeover into the shower process and complete it with the hand shower.

Install a drain valve

Another approach is to install a drain valve. This ensures that the residual water drains off quickly immediately after showering. As soon as you turn on the faucet and water pressure comes on the shower hose, the valve closes. If you turn the water off again, the pressure drops and it opens again. The remaining liquid in the hose or shower rod runs out directly. There is no subsequent drop. We recommend the assistance of a specialist for installing the drain valve. Also read how to fix a dripping faucet.

At a glance

If the water drips in your shower, there are two possible causes.We have presented the possible solutions to this.In the following table we summarize the type of dripping and the explanations for it again.

If the shower continues to drip even though you have tried the solutions described above, it is best to hire a plumber.An error may have occurred during the installation.Perhaps the lines are not laid correctly either.The cause is not always obvious, so it is best to leave the problem-finding to a professional.

If the shower continues to drip even though you have tried the solutions described above, it is best to hire a plumber. An error may have occurred during the installation. Perhaps the lines are not laid correctly either. The cause is not always obvious, so it is best to leave the problem-finding to water leak experts.

Anti-limescale function

Since limescale can build up in the showers as a result of dripping, you should ensure that the shower system has an anti-limescale function. The nozzles have silicone nubs on which the deposits collect. When cleaning, you can simply wipe it off with your finger and quickly enjoy a clean shower again. This protection of the nozzles also increases the service life of your shower set. You also save time on caring for the shower head and cleaning the overhead shower.

Bottom line: don’t drive yourself crazy

If your rain shower head loses water drop by drop after showering, you will not incur any higher water costs. And you don’t have to be prepared for expensive renovations either. Instead, check whether you can counteract the dripping by switching to the hand shower.

4 methods to seal it

After you shower, water may still drip from your shower head. However, this is only water that has accumulated there during the shower and has not leaked. You can remove the water by shaking the shower head vigorously.

If water drips from the shower head even though you have not showered, this can become a high cost factor. You can prevent this drop with a few simple steps. It is better to try it yourself first than to let a plumber do the work.

• First of all, check to see if there is a leak in the thread of the shower head. Switch it on and watch for water running out of the thread. If this is the case, you can repair the thread yourself. Unscrew the shower head. You also need an elongated rubber strip, for this you can cut a disposable glove, for example. Now wrap the strip around the thread and screw the shower head back on. The rubber strip seals the leak on the thread.
• If this trick doesn’t work, you can discuss the problem with a plumber or replace the shower head directly. However, if the plumber finds that the shower head is irreparable, all you have to do is buy a new one.
• So that this problem does not arise in the first place, there are means of preventing dripping in advance. For example, you can regularly check the shower head seals and replace them if they are leaking.
• You can also check the shower head for dirt and limescale. If the holes from which the water comes are clogged with dirt, more water remains in the shower head and calcifies it. This, in turn, can cause leaks to form.

How to fix leaking shower head problems: quick fix

A dripping shower head is an annoying evil – but how do you get by with simple means? Here’s a useful trick.

Constant dripping from the shower head is not only annoying, it can also become costly in the long run. But does that mean you have to buy a new one? Not at all: With a simple trick and little effort, you can ensure that the water stays where it should be.

All you need for how to fix a leaky shower head is a disposable rubber glove and scissors. Since the leak is mostly directly on the thread, unscrew the shower head first.

You only need a thin strip of the opening of the disposable glove – you can simply cut away the rest. Then wrap this strip around the leaky thread. Then the shower head is screwed back on – et voilà: Your problem with dripping should be over.

How to fix leaking shower head problems: shower hose leaks

A shower hose can leak for a variety of reasons. A new hose is not always necessary as a replacement immediately. In many cases you can also use a few tricks to get the shower hose tight again.

Cracks in the hose

Lime deposits or the use of unsuitable decalcifying agents can cause cracks in the material of a shower hose after just a few years. With some very cheap plastic shower hoses, the poor quality of the material is also a reason for their shortened service life. In the short term you can of course try to wrap a shower hose that is only slightly dripping or torn with high-quality sealing tape and thus seal it. In the long term, however, you will hardly be able to avoid replacing it with a new shower hose in such a case .

The connections are often the problem

In most cases, the problem of a leaking shower hose is due to one of the two connection points. The following problems can occur in these locations:

• Limescale or dirt deposits
• mechanical damage due to very high water pressure in the power network
• damaged or missing seals
• Deformations due to improper use of tools

During assembly, the union nut on the shower fitting and the screw connection on the hand shower should actually only be tightened by hand. In some cases, however, the use of a small pipe wrench may appear necessary. In such a case, be careful not to allow excessive forces to act on the thread. Otherwise it could lead to deformations that make it very difficult to finally get the whole thing absolutely tight again. If the water shoots out of the union nut next to the shower hose, a faulty seal may be the reason for this. You should therefore check whether the flat gasket is undamaged and inserted correctly. You can get a replacement for very little money in any hardware store or on the Internet.

Problems due to the design of modern shower hoses

In some cases, shower hoses also leak without cracks in the hose or leaky connection points being responsible. Sometimes the connectors that are pressed into the modern plastic hoses using a special technique simply loosen. If such a hose leaks, it cannot be repaired easily and you will have to replace the shower hose with a new one.