Few things are more annoying than having to endure the sound of water leaking from a shower head or tap. Many may feel baffled about solutions, though. So, what do you do if your rain shower head drips after shut off?
If you’ve been struggling with this issue, we’re here to help. Read on to learn about what causes your rain shower head to drip and how you can quickly remedy the problem.
Rain Shower Head Drips After Shut Off: Easy Fixes
If your rain shower head drips after shut off, it likely means there’s an issue with the seal of the shower head . If this isn’t the case, it may be a plumbing issue. Attempt to tighten the shower head, replace it, or contact a professional plumber.
Why Is My Shower Head Leaking?
Unfortunately, your shower head leaking doesn’t always mean it’s one easy-to-fix issue. Instead, the problem could signal several different issues. Read on for a list of the four most common reasons your shower head is leaking.
Clogged Jets
One of the first things, ironically, is clogged jets. If the holes of your shower head are clogged, they can trap water during a shower. Once the water is trapped, it leaks out over time once your shower is over.
The good news is that this is just water trapped in the head dripping out and not a full leak. However, it can still cause many problems, and clogged jets are still undesirable.
You can see if this is the problem by turning on the shower and seeing if any jets are weaker or inactive than others. You also can wait after the shower and see if any of the jets are the ones leaking.
Worn Washers
Shower heads get used often (hopefully, and get worn just like anything else in your home over time. If you’ve recently moved into a home or apartment that hasn’t replaced the shower head in a while, it may be reaching the end of its life.
Because of this, the washers inside that help keep the seal may have broken or worn down. Thankfully, this is an easy fix and not too expensive. However, the problem won’t go away by itself.
You can check if this is the case by removing the shower head and checking the washers. If they look worn down or are missing, this is likely your problem. Also, ensure that you check the quality of the Teflon tape. If the tape looks worn, you should replace it to ensure a tight thread seal between the shower arm and the head.
Busted Internals
Your washers aren’t the only part that can wear down on your shower head. Many other pieces help keep the seal or transport water.
However, just opening up your shower head and eyeing the parts isn’t always the best idea. If you suspect something inside the shower head is broken beyond repair, it’s best just to replace the whole shower head. If it’s still leaking after, you have a complex plumbing issue.
Built-Up Minerals
Along with clogged jets is the build-up of minerals over time of use. Water often carries minerals, especially calcium, which can build up in our dishwashers and showers.
Open up the shower head and see if there are calcium build-ups. These can make it difficult to hold a seal and affect your water pressure. You should check every few months at a minimum to ensure that the minerals aren’t building up or clogging the jets.
Consequences of Shower Head Leaks
So your shower head is leaking; what’s the big deal? Multiple problems come with your shower head leaking beyond the obnoxious drip-drip from your bathroom. Here are the three primary concerns of a leaky shower head.
Higher Bill
The first and most obvious is that you’ll have a higher water bill. You may live somewhere where utilities are included, making this not feel like as much of an issue. For others, having a constant flow of water will drastically increase your bill.
You can use the US government’s drip calculator to see how much water you’re wasting. The calculations aren’t perfect as you can’t standardize drip size or speed, but it’s a good estimation tool. For example, a single faucet dripping once per minute wastes almost 35 gallons of water a year!
Wasted Water
Wasting water is more than just increasing your bill. There are environmental impacts of letting gallons of water waste away down your drain for no reason.
If you can’t fix the leak in a reasonable time, consider placing a bucket or something similar to catch the water. Store the water for plants or other such uses to avoid wasting it. Doing so can prevent wasting water and harming the environment without doing anything to fix it.
Less Enjoyable Showers
Beyond these issues, a leak can simply result in worse showers. The leak may affect your water pressure and make it more difficult to shower. It could also lead to the build-up of bacteria or mold in your bathtub as the drip stops it from ever being dry. This is especially the case for clogged jets, which can lower the amount of water you’re getting.
How To Fix a Rain Shower Head After Shut Off
Now that we know the causes and the consequences, what about the fixes? Thankfully, fixing a shower head usually isn’t too complex of a task. Read on for the four quickest ways to fix a rain shower head dripping after shut off.
Replace Shower Head
The first and fastest fix is to replace the entire shower head. If things have built up inside, you may not be able to clean them easily with your equipment. It might also be less of a hassle than replacing internal parts such as washers.
If your shower head is broken, this goes from a convenient fix to the only fix. The average DIY enthusiast won’t know the small and intricate parts of a shower head to fix it without hassle.
However, replacing the entire shower head isn’t always an option for those on a budget. In such a case, consider replacing your rain shower head with something that has fewer features until you can afford a nicer, well-working shower head again.
Replace Internal Parts
If replacing the entire shower head doesn’t fit your desires, you can work to replace internal parts. When it comes to a leak, the most common issue is the washers.
You can purchase washers that fit your shower head at most hardware stores. Consider bringing one of your worn washers in to ensure you’re purchasing the correct size. If the washer is too big, it won’t seal properly, so buying the right sized washer is crucial.
The washers are far from the only part that may need replacing over time. The diverter valve or cartridge valve may also have taken damage or wear and tear. If this is the case, replacing them is as easy as replacing the washers. Just make sure that you’re getting the right parts to avoid a headache.
Clean the Shower Head
You can also clean the shower head to ensure that nothing is clogged. Doing so with frequency will help ensure you’re cutting down on mineral build-up and possible mold. There are even some pests that might try to make a home in your shower head, like sugar ants!
Remove your shower head and open it up, setting the pieces aside. Use a soft brush and cleaner to scrub away any mineral build-up. Ensure you’re also cleaning the outside of the shower head’s jets, as these minerals can build up in the holes.
Once done, carefully reassemble the shower head and reinstall it. You should do this at least every couple of months, depending on the hardness of your location’s water.
Contact a Professional
When working with anything of this nature, it can feel overwhelming. Misplacing a single part can also render your shower head non-functional. If you’re concerned you might be in over your head, contact a professional plumbing company.
Professional plumbers can help to diagnose the issue much quicker than the average DIY enthusiast. They can also focus on a fix with less troubleshooting and often have it done in a jiffy. Some companies may even have a replacement shower head you can use if they aren’t able to fix it, though this isn’t common.
Don’t hesitate to contact someone to come and help you deal with the issue. Doing so can save you time and ensure your shower is back up and running as quickly as possible.
Washing Up
If your rain shower head drips after shut off, don’t worry, as it’s a common and easily fixed problem. Quickly troubleshoot the issue to try to diagnose what’s causing the clog. Once you have the issue narrowed down, a fix is usually easy. Replace the shower head entirely, or call a professional out if you’re in doubt.
For more tips on working in your home, feel free to browse our informative website or contact us to learn more!
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