How to Repair a Shower Faucet

Shower faucets (also known as shower heads), can often times be the source of frustration, from leaking to low water pressure. Want things back to normal? Check out the tips below to help get your shower faucet back into tip-top shape.

If you're shower is displaying low water pressure issues, and you are not experiencing the same issues from other faucets in the house, the problem is likely a build up of mineral deposits in the head. There are two ways to tackle this issue, and both involve the same basic solution. The first thing to do is go out and buy a bottle of CLR (in the yellow bottle - stands for Calcium, Lime, Rust). I would go ahead and get the jug. Even though it is pricey, there are many other uses for it. Dilute according to the manufacturers directions, and do one of the following: Lift a bowl of CLR under the shower faucet (head), completely submerging it, or remove the shower head and submerge it in a CLR solution. It doesn't take long, but if deposits are thick enough it may take enough time that removal of the shower head is the best idea to save your arms!

Make sure that if you have to remove the shower faucet (head), that equal pressure is applied to each direction of the pipe. This is a accomplished through using a pipe wrench to grip the pipe, and pulling the wrench in the opposite direction of the way the faucet is threaded. It's not always necessary to do this, but if there is any resistance when you try to unscrew the shower head, it recommended that you remove it in this manner to avoid cracking the pipe joints behind the wall!

The other problem you might experience with shower faucets (heads) is leaking and dripping. Leaking is unlikely to happen with typical shower faucets that function through water diversion. These types require you to lift a valve to close off the main water flow, sending the water upwards to the shower. Since the water will take the path of least resistance under pressure, it will not elevate to the shower head, but rather run out the tub faucet. So where can these types of shower heads leak? When turned on, they can leak and drip at the joint between the shower faucet (head) and the pipe - which will reduce your water pressure as well. The way to resolve these drips is to remove the shower faucet (head), and apply Teflon tape to stop the leaking between the threads. Teflon tape is very effective at stopping these types of leaks.

If you have a new style shower faucet - one that is connected directly to the water source, a leak means that the rubber washers are likely worn out on either the hot or cold knobs. Replacing these parts is a snap, but you must make sure you obtain the correct parts from your local home improvement store for your specific model, as the parts are often non-standard.

What about just replacing the shower faucet? Well, you can do that - if you have an inexpensive shower head.   However, if you purchased the Cadillac model, or have a model that plumbed directly into the water line (such as the pictured one), the money you will save by simply cleaning will make a huge difference in your budget.