To stop a dripping shower head, identify whether it is retained water draining, a faulty shower valve or a leaking connection. A continuous drip from the nozzles while the shower is off usually requires repair of the tap or mixer, not replacement of the shower head.
Check where and when it drips
- Turn the shower off normally without forcing the controls. Dry the head, hose, handle and visible connections, then watch where water first appears.
- Dripping slows and stops: Water retained in the head or hose is probably draining. No repair is usually needed if it stops completely.
- Nozzles keep dripping while off: Water is passing the closed control. Compression taps may have a worn washer or damaged valve seat; quarter-turn taps use ceramic headworks; mixers generally use a cartridge. These components are not interchangeable.
- A hose, swivel or wall connection leaks only during use: The likely fault is a connection seal rather than the shower valve.
- Water appears around the handle, cover plate or wall: Stop using the shower. This may indicate a concealed leak; do not remove the plate or disturb fittings inside the wall.
Choose the appropriate action
- Residual drainage: Wait for it to stop. Cleaning the outlet as directed by its manufacturer may improve drainage, but it will not fix water passing through a closed valve.
- Continuous dripping while off: Do not tighten the handle forcefully. A licensed plumber should identify and repair the correct washer, valve seat, ceramic headwork or mixer cartridge.
- Connection leak during use: Do not overtighten the fitting or apply thread tape indiscriminately. Different joints use different seals. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions only for maintenance expressly identified as user-serviceable; otherwise, use a licensed plumber.
- Water will not stop or is entering the wall: Stop using the shower. If you know where the property’s main water tap is and it operates freely, turn it off to limit damage. Never force a seized or damaged valve.
Most continuing drips can be fixed without replacing the shower head. If the shower will not stop dripping or water is escaping near the wall, contact our licensed Sydney plumbing team.