Why Is My Shower Faucet Leaking?

You notice the shower faucet is continually leaking water. This leaves you wondering, "Why is my shower faucet leaking, and what’s causing the issue?" If you notice this problem, get help from Hillsdale's leaky faucet repair and replacement experts at Gladiator Services.

When you hire expert plumbers to inspect your leaky faucets, you get peace of mind that a licensed team will address the source of your problem. This way, you can get to the bottom of any plumbing issues that may become more costly if ignored. 

In the meantime, explore these common reasons why your shower faucet may be leaking, how to treat the problem, and ways to maintain your plumbing below. 

Common Causes for Leaky Shower Faucets

A shower faucet is made of numerous parts. Any one of them may be responsible for a leaky shower faucet. So, if you’re wondering, "Why is my shower faucet leaking?" consider looking at these parts. 

Faulty Shower Valve 

You may experience a leaky shower head if your shower valve is faulty. In addition, you may notice that the handle that operates the shower doesn’t work properly and gets stuck. 

If the shower valve is the problem, you may need to consider a replacement. Other times, however, a simple fix — like tightening it — can do the trick.

Worn Seals and Shower Faucet Parts

Inside every shower valve are multiple seals. Over time these seals can get worn out, preventing the entire shower mechanism from operating appropriately. 

Seals and gaskets are supposed to be airtight to provide the correct amount of water pressure, so if they are loose or damaged, then it's highly likely water can escape or go places it shouldn’t. This may result in water accumulating in various areas of the shower valve, causing other issues and contributing to a leaky faucet. 

Hard Mineral Buildup

Another common reason why you may be experiencing a leaky shower faucet is due to mineral buildup. When excessive minerals continually build up inside your shower valve stem, it can corrode the inside parts of the shower valve or cause clogs that do not allow proper water flow. This is especially the case if you have well water, which is known for being higher in minerals. When these minerals accumulate within the plumbing, it creates an environment that is conducive to clogs and leaky faucets. 

To best treat this issue, it might be a good idea to talk to a plumber about installing a softener or getting other plumbing services that may help reduce hard mineral buildup that negatively affects your shower and entire plumbing system.

Escutcheon & Cartridge 

The escutcheon is part of the shower faucet that attaches flush near the top edge of your bathtub. The escutcheon is a metal piece that sits flush with the hole in your shower wall where the main plumbing pipe comes through to provide water. 

If this is too loose or too tight, it could put a strain on the plumbing. However, most often, if you notice leaking near this area of the faucet, it’s likely a sign that the shower cartridge inside the wall is weak, which is best inspected by plumbing professionals. 

A Brief Breakdown of the Shower Faucet Repair Process

If you want to tackle your leaky shower faucet on your own, there are a few tips you should note before continuing the repair process.

First, you must turn off your water supply to your bathroom. After successfully turning off your water, remove the handle or knob affixed to the shower wall. To do this, you will likely need a screwdriver or drill.

Then, you want to look for the locking clip. This clip looks like a wire pin on top of your shower valve. Typically you need pliers to pull this off of the valve. After removing the locking clip, you will look for the shower cartridge. The shower cartridge is a metal piece in the center of the faucet.

If the cartridge needs replacing, then you need to remove it before finding the exact replacement for your new cartridge. You'll then take the old one out and replace it with the new one using a socket wrench.

After installing the new shower cartridge, you assemble all the parts originally removed. For example, you'll replace the locking clip and the shower handle and cover before tightening everything and turning the water back on to see if that helps the leaking problem.

While all these tips may be helpful, working with plumbing in your shower can be complicated.  For these reasons, it's wise to rely on a professional and licensed plumbing team who can do the job for you in a fraction of the time. 

How to Prevent Leaks

Leaks over time are not only costly but also extremely wasteful. Furthermore, ignoring frequent leaks can lead to damage elsewhere in the bathroom, like mold, rusted plumbing, and structural damage. 

To prevent leaks that can lead to these more serious issues, monitor your faucet. Keep an eye out for warning signs something might be wrong, and contact a professional as soon as you notice an issue.

The best way to prevent leaks is to receive regular preventive maintenance on your plumbing system. This way, during inspections, if a plumber notices any leaks in your faucets, they can complete the repair before it becomes a more complicated issue. 

Hire Professional Plumbers for Superior Leak Prevention

For maximum safety and peace of mind, hire professional plumbers who know how to inspect and provide comprehensive leak detection services. At Gladiator Services, we pride ourselves on providing thorough plumbing services to every homeowner, including leak detection, repairs, inspections, and more. We aim to provide prompt assistance, fantastic customer service, and high-quality results. Work with us to get service that you'll love.

Instead of wondering, "Why is my shower faucet leaking?" get to the bottom of the issue immediately with professional plumbing services. Call Gladiator Services for all your plumbing needs today at 201-419-6090!