Replace a shower head or fix a leaking one

How a shower head connects

The shower head screws onto a short pipe called the shower arm that comes out of the wall. The threads are sealed with plumber's tape, and most heads have a small rubber washer inside the nut. When either one wears out, water sprays out of the joint.

New heads are sold by flow rate. The federal maximum is 2.5 gallons per minute, and WaterSense-labeled models use 2.0 or less. A lower-flow head saves water and the energy to heat it.

Why shower heads leak

Let's fix it

1. See where it leaksTurn the shower on and watch. Water spraying from where the head meets the arm means the connection needs fresh tape or a washer. A few drips for a minute after you shut it off is just the head draining. A steady drip that keeps going long after means a worn valve cartridge; replacing the head won't fix that.
   Done

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2. Take off the old headWrap a rag around the nut so the wrench doesn't scratch it. Hold the shower arm steady with one hand and turn the nut counterclockwise. Holding the arm keeps it from twisting loose inside the wall.
   Done

   Something went wrong?

   • The shower arm twists in the wall Stop and hold the arm steady with a second wrench or your hand. Forcing it can break the fitting inside the wall.

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3. Clean the threadsPick off the old tape and scrub the threads on the arm with a toothbrush dipped in vinegar to clear mineral scale. Dry them off. Clean threads seal much better than new tape over old.
   Done

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4. Wrap fresh tapeWrap thread seal tape around the arm's threads two or three times, going clockwise as you face the end of the arm. That way screwing on the head tightens the tape instead of peeling it off.
   Done

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5. Check the washerLook inside the nut of the head. There should be a flat rubber washer, often with a small screen. Replace it if it's cracked, flattened or missing. New heads usually come with one already in place.
   Done

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6. Screw it on and testThread the head on by hand until it's snug, then give it a quarter turn more with the rag-wrapped wrench. Run the shower for a minute and look at the joint. If it drips, tighten a little more; if it still drips, rewrap the tape.
   Done

   Something went wrong?

   • It still sprays at the neck Check the washer is seated and add another wrap of tape. Don't overtighten.

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Watch it done

How to Fix a Leaky Shower HeadBy Lowe's Home Improvement on YouTube. Their method may vary a little from ours.

Watch on YouTube

If it still leaks or sprays weakly

If the spray is weak or uneven rather than leaking, the head or its flow restrictor is clogged with mineral scale. Soaking it in vinegar overnight usually clears it.

If water drips from the head after the shower is off, the valve's cartridge or washer is worn. Turn the water off and replace it, or call a plumber.

Shower head questions