Having a leaky shower head can be very annoying, but it is above all a source of great water loss which greatly increases your consumption and your bill! Before turning to a plumber or running out to buy a new knob, you can simply fix it and change the seals that need it. Here are our tips to achieve this.
Why fix your leaky shower head?
Your shower head is leaking. You are tired of hearing the drops fall in a more or less regular “plop plop”, but rest assured, this is not inevitable. It is quite possible to repair the pommel to put an end to leaks. Why ? Because in addition to the relatively painful noise of the drops, you should know that when a water tap drips permanently, this leads to the loss of nearly 18 to 20 m3 of water during the year, i.e. at minimum 65 euros thrown down the drain. Not only will repairing the leak allow you to regain your well-being by eliminating the sound of the plops, but you will also make significant savings while avoiding wasting water, a precious good for our planet.
How to repair your shower head and change the seals?
When a shower head leaks, the most likely reasons for the leak are clogged water outlet holes or failed seals. Here are our tips and the steps to follow to solve your problem with ease and at a lower cost.
How to unclog shower head water outlet holes?
Your shower head may be leaking due to limescale. Over time, this settles in the nozzle and clogs the small water outlet channels. Cleaning from time to time can unclog them and solve many leaking problems.
To do this, start by turning off the water supply to the shower or the general water supply.
Disassemble your shower head and let it soak for about 8 hours in a basin containing white vinegar. The latter will allow the limestone to dissolve quietly and restore the knob to its full shine.
Before putting your shower head back in place, clean it well with a sponge to remove any remaining residue. To remove those around the water outlet holes, use a toothpick to scrape off the stubborn scale.
Put your shower head back on and turn the water back on to test it. If the leaks persist, you will probably need to change the seal. For that, here are our tips.
How to replace a faulty seal on your shower head?
Over time and the attacks of limestone, the seals of a shower head wear out and cause leaks. Just replace them to avoid wasting water unnecessarily.
To do this, start by turning off the water supply to the shower or the general water supply. Disassemble the shower head as a whole, a relatively simple operation.
At the back of the pommel, you will notice the presence of a ball joint which is a metal ball and a rubber seal. You just have to remove the latter and replace it with the same new model. If you don’t have new seal sets at home and if you are afraid of making a mistake, take your used seal to a DIY store to buy the same one or ask a salesperson for advice.
You just have to put the new seal in place of the old one and reassemble everything before reopening the water supply. Your shower head should no longer leak. If the leak continues, it is probably located at the tap.
How to replace a faulty seal on your shower faucet?
For the same reasons, seals on shower faucets wear out and need to be replaced. Turn off the water supply again before starting your intervention.
Remove the faucet handles by unscrewing from the screws located under the red and blue covers and pulling the handle to remove it. With an adjustable wrench, unscrew the head of the faucet and thus access the cup which carries the seal. Just remove it and replace it with a new one.
After replacement, reassemble the faucet assembly and test your shower head after re-opening the water supply. You shouldn’t have any more leaks. If, however, your problem persists, we advise you to contact a plumber.