Fixing a leaky shower head will not only eliminate annoying noise, but it will also save you money on your water bill, as those little drops will quickly add up to many expensive gallons!

You will need an adjustable wrench, a small towel, a screwdriver, teflon tape (white plumbing tape from any hardware store).

If you have a wall-mounted shower head, the shower head will attach directly to the shower arm. If you have a hand shower, a bracket will be screwed onto the shower arm and the handheld will be attached via a flexible hose to the bracket.

Look at the shower head while the water is on and determine where the leak is coming from. Be sure to set the water at a suitable temperature and flow to avoid accidents or burns.

If it is between the shower head or hand shower bracket and the shower arm (metal tube sticking out of the wall): Remove the shower head or bracket. If there is heavy lime buildup on the screw threads, clean the shower head/mount and the end of the shower arm with Scotch Brite. Inspect the threads on both the pipe and the shower head for wear (if plastic, check for cracks). If the threads on the shower head are badly worn, replace the entire unit. If the shower arm threads are badly worn, replace them if you can or call a plumber. In most cases, a good cleaning is enough. Look to see if there is a rubber washer (a small rubber disk with a hole in the center). Pull it out and inspect it for damage. If so, take it to a hardware store and use it to find a similar replacement. Install the good washing machine and install the shower head. Apply plumber’s tape to the shower arm and replace the shower head.

For Handheld Showerheads: If the leak is at either end of the flex tube: Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the nuts at the end of the flex tube. As noted above, inspect the threads and rubber washer, clean and replace as necessary.

If the leak comes from the shower head itself: it means that a part inside the shower head is defective. You can test and disassemble the unit and inspect the parts. Seek:

» Scale buildup: clean by soaking in vinegar and reassemble.

» Defective rubber seals: Take the rubber seals to a hardware store to find a replacement.

» Badly assembled rubber parts.

» Cracked plastic parts – replace unit.

» The seal at the bottom of the trash ball can be rolled up, just remove it and reinstall it.

As you take the unit apart, the best thing to do is to make notes or drawings of how the parts were put together and therefore put back together. Keep in mind that most new showerheads are designed not to fall apart. This is because incorrect assembly could cause an accident during use. I recommend that you replace the shower head if the leak is coming from inside the unit and you are not sure how well you can reassemble the unit. Life is too short for mediocre showers, and shower head failure while the family is using it is dangerous.