An overview of the parts of a shower head and how to repair a leak.
First, and probably the most important thing to do before you start, is to turn off the water. If your shower does not have cut off valves that you can easily access; you may have to turn the water off at the main.
The most common type of leak is a problem in the shower head, usually a worn O-ring. This is a relatively easy problem to correct, disassembly of the shower head is easy and the cost of a replacement O-ring is under a dollar.
A typical shower head has the following parts.
1. Shower Arm
2. Collar Nut
3. Swivel Ball Nut
4. Swivel Ball
5. O-Ring
6. Spray Adjustment Cam
7. Spray Outlets
The collar nut is attached to the shower arm and holds everything else in place. Loosening the collar nut, will disassemble the shower head. The O-Ring will be located on the top of the shower head, usually, underneath the swivel ball. Simply pry the old one off and put the new one back in, and you're done. Reassemble the shower head following the sequence above. Wrap a piece of Teflon tape around any threads and tighten the assembly back up. Turn the water back on at the cut off valves and test your shower head, and there should be no more leaks.
Another common problem for a leaking shower head could be a problem with a worn diverter valve. Typically seen in a bathtub that also serves as a shower unit. The diverter valve is responsible for redirecting water from the bathtub faucet to the shower head. Do not mistake the diverter valve for a gate diverter. The gate diverter is located at the tip of the bathtub faucet and is pulled up to change water flow to the shower head. The diverter valve is located within the faucet assembly.
Once again, turn off the water supply.
Remove the cap located on the top of the faucet handle. Pry the cap off and loosen the screw. Once the handle is off you will see the diverter valve. Using an adjustable wrench or a deep-set socket take out the valve. Unscrew the valve assembly from the nut located on the stem. Take out the brass stem screw, check the washer on the stem and replace if necessary, and if the screw also shows wear, replace that too.
Now simply unscrew the spindle, which is threaded, and pull it out from the retaining nut. Find a small, stiff, wire brush and put some vinegar into a small bowl. Dip the brush in the vinegar and clean all the parts removing any sediment or buildup. Now reassemble the valve.
A leaking shower head no longer has to be an annoyance, and you will sleep well at night no longer listening to the consistent drip of your money being washed down the drain.
