There is an issue with the shower valve if water drops or drizzles from a shower faucet. Most of the time, parts have corroded, become clogged with hard water deposits, or worn inner seals are the primary reason for a shower faucet leaking.
Additionally, with time and use, the rubber O-rings and gaskets that seal the connections between moving metal parts deteriorate.
Tips to Repair Your Shower Faucet Leaking by Yourself
Not only is a dripping, leaky shower faucet inconvenient, but it also wastes water. This rather typical home issue of shower faucet leaking may be easy to resolve by yourself before you bring in a professional (varying on the source of the confusion). Following are the steps:
Cut Off Tap Water:
At the water main, you must stop the water supply to the shower. Next, let water drain out of the faucet by opening it. Keep a towel nearby when you remove the valve to absorb the water leaking from the pipes.
Disassemble the Shower Faucet Leaking:
Whether you have a one-knob or two-knob style faucet will determine how you remove it when facing issues with shower faucet leaking. If your system has two knobs, you must swap out both valves. Use a screwdriver and crescent wrench to unscrew the valves and remove the shower faucet handles or knobs. The guard should be taken off and kept. Two nuts ought to be visible. Remove the larger of the two screws. Just unscrew one of the two screws to get to the shower stem. By turning the shower stem counterclockwise, you can remove it.
Replace the Washers:
Several washers help the shower stem function. Regardless of their condition, one should replace them all while disassembling the faucet to confirm that he has everything covered. The stem’s tail is where you should look for a rubber washer, also known as a seat washer. The remaining ones, or packing washers, are located near the stem’s center.
Reassemble the Repaired Faucet:
Clean the pipes with the solution of a cup of vinegar and water using an old toothbrush. Scrub and remove all the visible mineral deposits from the conduits. Once you’ve completed the cleaning, re-join the shower stem and reattach the knobs after installing the valves. Apply caulk around the plate to seal the area where the faceplate of the faucet touches the shower wall after you’ve reattached them.
Shower Faucet Replacement Procedure
It could be time to replace your old faucet with a new one if repairing the stopcock hasn’t stopped the drip. Even though this process could be more complex, there are situations when it is the only method to fix a shower faucet leaking. Although a qualified plumber should often do this task, a layperson can presumably also do it. Here we’ve listed the general replacement instructions for the typical faucets, as different stopcocks call for individual procedures.
Find an Alternative of the Shower Faucet Leaking:
There are numerous designs and sizes for shower faucets. Finding the appropriate replacement is necessary because not all are interchangeable. To ensure that everything is connected appositely, it’s crucial to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations. To choose the ideal replacement, take the old faucet with you and get a precise measurement of the holes.
Get Rid of the Old Faucet:
To gain access to the bathtub and work on its interior components many homes feature an access panel on the wall opposite the shower faucet. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to make a cut in the opposite wall to gain access to the old faucet, remove it, and then replace it to deal with the shower faucet leaking.
Replace the Faucet:
You will align the new faucet piece with the shower pipe when installing it and use the pipe wrench to secure it to the pipe. It is essential that you carefully adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions on how to connect the new faucet.
Turn On the Water:
Restart the main water supply and look for any leaks. To confirm everything is tight and secure, try tightening any nuts and screws you find. You can follow the directions from the manufacturer. However, if you are not successfully doing the same, call a professional to fix your shower faucet leaking to save yourself the unending hassle.
Conclusion
Shower faucet leaking left unattended is not only troublesome but also costly to fix later on. Sometimes you can fix the leak by yourself without hiring an expert. However, you should be able to recognize issues that go beyond your plumbing expertise. You can avoid the negative effects of a shower faucet leaking by putting in place a temporary fix before having a professional repair. No matter how much we might want to handle a particular circumstance, sometimes our desires are constrained by our abilities. In such circumstances, you can always approach for a professional assistance from your local emergency plumber Houston.
