How to Fix a Dripping Shower

A dripping shower head can be very annoying. But it’s not just the sound that can be a pain; this dripping can also waste a lot of water and drive up your water bills. Each drip may seem small but over a long period of time, that’s a lot of water (and money) going down the drain. This could be for a number of reasons, whether a faulty part or a desperate need for a deep clean.

To find out what the problem is and how to fix it, keep reading our handy how-to guide.

Useful links

If your shower head is continuously dripping, start by cleaning it by submerging it in vinegar and scrubbing with a toothbrush and baking soda to remove any limescale. If dripping continues after a deep clean, shut off the water and take a look at the rubber washers and shower valve to see if they’re worn or damaged. If cleaning and part replacements don’t resolve the issue, the problem may be within the plumbing, and a professional plumber should be called.

Why is my shower head dripping?

Of course, it’s natural for your shower head to drip for a few minutes immediately after a shower but if the dripping continues consistently between showers, you should take action - especially if you’ve even tested it when the water is switched off.

A dripping shower head when the water is off can be a result of a few different factors. It may just be a case of your shower head needing a good clean, or you may need to investigate further to see if your shower has any faulty seals or parts that may be letting water escape.

Yes, it should be checked out as soon as possible as you’ll waste water and it can increase the humidity levels of your bathroom, potentially causing damp and mould problems.

Steps to stop a shower head from leaking

Before you even consider replacing or repairing parts, you should try cleaning the shower head. Here’s the best way to clean it:

Soak the shower head in white vinegar and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. You can either remove it from the wall or fill a plastic bag with the solution and tie this to the shower head, so it’s submerged.
Take it out of the vinegar and use a toothbrush and some baking soda to scrub any stubborn dirt off.
Reattach the shower head to the wall and turn on your shower to blast away any dirt residue.

If this doesn’t stop the dripping, it may be time for some maintenance.

Worn washers & valves

Other than limescale build up, there are two main issues that can cause a shower head to continuously drip: a worn washer or a worn valve. Here’s how you address these problems:

Wrench
Flat head screwdriver
Towels
Replacement parts

Before you do any work, shut off the water supply to the shower and then switch the shower on to let any water in the system drain out.

Check if the rubber washer behind the control handle of your shower is damaged as this can allow water to seep through when it shouldn’t, leading to a dripping shower head. This part will need replacing if it’s worn.

There are many different showers available, and they all look a little bit different. Thankfully for this fix, you need to find a part that every shower has – the collar nut. Use a wrench to remove this, putting a towel or cloth between the nut and wrench to avoid causing any damage to the outside.

Locate the rubber washer or O-Ring behind the valve and take a look to see if it’s damaged. Even slight wear or damage can stop it from forming a water-tight seal, so it’ll need to be replaced with an identical, new washer. You can now put the shower handle back together and turn on the water supply to test if you’ve solved the problem.

If replacing the rubber washers doesn’t stop the dripping, you’ll then need to check the shower valve. If this is in any way damaged or broken, it’ll also need replacing. Rather than replacing individual parts of the valve, it’s safer to just replace the whole thing. This will also give you a longer-lasting shower.

If neither of these fixes solved the dripping, the problem may lie deeper in your plumbing and at this point, it’s best to call in a professional.

Preventative maintenance for shower heads to avoid leaks

To ensure your shower head doesn’t begin leaking in future, there’s a few measures you can take:

Regularly cleaning any limescale and debris build-up
Consistently check and replace any worn washers or seals
Tighten fittings if they seem loose
Inspect for any corroded elements

A constantly dripping shower head can be annoying, costing you water and money on your bills. But thankfully, some of its causes can be easily fixed without having to call in a plumber. Start off by cleaning the shower head and if the problem persists, check the rubber washers and valve to make sure they haven’t worn down. If your shower is still consistently dripping, it’s time to call in the pros.

FAQs

After a shower, the shower head will naturally drip for a while. If this dripping continues consistently until your next shower, this indicates a problem of either a worn rubber washer, a faulty shower valve or an issue with the plumbing. Before you replace any parts, you should always give the shower head a deep clean and see if this clears up the problem first.

Soak the shower head in white vinegar and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Then take it out of the vinegar and use a toothbrush and some baking soda to scrub any stubborn dirt off.