The dripping of a faucet can be one of the worst sounds to hear. It can get in your head very quickly and drive you crazy! Not only is this sound just awful, but it is costing you money! Having a leaking shower faucet can seem like a lot to handle but there are ways to get it to stop and put that money back in your wallet instead of down the drain!
Understanding the Leak
Before you can fix a leak you have to understand why it is leaking to make a plan. There are a few things that can be causing your leaky faucets such as normal wear and tear, faulty seals, or even water pressure. Once you find the source of your leak then you can fix it and get back to enjoying a quiet bathroom.
Stop the Leaky Shower
One of the first things you’ll want to do to stop this leaking is to locate the shut-off valve. The shut-off valve for your shower is often located behind the wall of your shower. You’ll have to look for an access panel to locate this valve and turn it off, both the hot and the cold. After that, you’ll have to look into the faucet style you have and potentially replace the faucets altogether. Before you go through the trouble of taking faucets off and replacing them there are a few other options you can try to stop the leak.
Clogged Shower Head
A clogged showerhead may actually be the culprit of your leaky shower. When limescale builds up in the nozzle it can slowly build up and release overtime making it seem like a leak. A good way to clear this up is to soak your shower head in white vinegar so that water can flow freely instead of a drip.
Replace the Washer
Sometimes the washer in the showerhead can become worn and cause a leak. This is a simple fix by just replacing this washer. Just take off the showerhead and locate the collar nut. Once you locate the collar nut loosen it to find the swivel ball and washer. Replace the washer and put the showerhead back together and it will be good as new.
Bringing In A Professional
One of the best ways to treat a leaking shower faucet is by the process of elimination. Even to an inexperienced homeowner, you can go through some simple fixes and common issues to rule them out before you sink too much time and money into this project. Work to do the quick fixes first and work your way from the shower head to the faucets because sometimes when you think it is a faucet leak it is actually the shower head or something else.
One of the best things to do when you’re backed in a corner or just feel you’re out of options is to call in the professionals. You may be wary of calling a plumber right off hand because you don’t want to spend the money but if a million little “fixes” don’t get the issue under control you actually end up spending more money than hiring the plumber would have cost in the beginning.