Your bathroom can be a tricky space to keep looking good. Over time it can get clogged with hair, soap scum and more.
You can fix most of these issues with some DIY efforts. This article will walk you through five simple steps to make your shower repair fast and easy!
1. Turn Off the Water
Shower leaks can lead to expensive water damage, and even a small leak can cause a huge problem when left unchecked. If you suspect your shower has a leak, it’s important to turn off the water supply as quickly as possible. This will prevent the leak from getting worse and will also allow you to fix the leak faster. The first step to doing this is finding the main shut off valve for your home. This is usually located in the basement, but it may be hidden behind a panel in your bathroom or another room. Turning the valve clockwise will close it and cut off the water supply to your home.
Then, you can take a moment to inspect your shower. You may find that there is a leak in your pipe or the faucet itself. In most cases, a simple repair will be enough to resolve the issue. For example, a loose or cracked handle can be fixed with caulk. A leaking cartridge can be replaced with a new one, and a broken or clogged shower head can often be cleaned easily by replacing the washers.
Other problems may require more complex repairs, but it’s always important to make sure you turn off the water before starting any work. A professional plumber can help you with any plumbing issues that you have, including leaking pipes. They can also flush the pipes to remove any rust and clean your shower head. They can even replace your old or damaged pipes, if needed.
2. Inspect the Pipes
Showers are easy to use and provide a convenient place to wash off soap, shampoo, body oils, and other grime. But a leaking shower can cause serious damage to your home. The good news is, if you spot the problem early enough, you can make the repair yourself. In most cases, the issue is just a simple leaky valve or head. But you may need to replace your showerhead or a damaged pipe. If there are services on expert shower leak repairs in your area, however, it would be wise to let a professional take a look at your shower.
If your showerhead is leaking, turn off the water supply to the valve, and remove the shower head. Then, unscrew the showerhead cartridge using a screwdriver or Allen wrench (check your owner’s manual for exact instructions). The handle may have a cover plate you need to remove. Once the cover plate and decorative faceplate are removed, you should be able to see the valve nut under the handle. Unscrew the nut and set it aside. Then, remove the stem from the valve, and replace the washers if they are worn.
Another common reason for a shower repair is a leak around the frame. This can be a serious issue that can lead to water stains on the ceiling, wall, and floor joists. It can also cause the tile to loosen, and mold to grow.
One quick way to check for a leak is by plugging the drain with a plastic bag and filling it with white vinegar. If the puddle shrinks after an hour, it’s most likely because of a leaky valve or pipe. Another quick test is to fill the tub with water, plug the drain, and wait for an hour. If the puddle has shrunk, you probably have a leaking shower valve or pipe.
3. Check the Valve
There isn’t much more relaxing than standing under a shower of warm water after working out at the gym or coming home from a long day. But a leaking or seized shower valve can spoil that feeling of tranquility, especially if you’re not getting enough hot water. That’s why it’s important to check that your shower valve is functioning properly.
If you notice a shower leak, shut off your water supply by turning the handle to the “off” position and finding the water stops. Located to the right and left of your shower valve cartridge, the water stops have flat head screw heads that allow you to turn them on and off as needed. If you can’t find the water stops for your shower, then shut off the main water supply by using the main shut-off valve in your home.
Once the water has been turned off, remove the handle and take off the decorative cover plate, also known as an escutcheon. You can usually pull it off with your fingers, but if it’s stuck use a pair of needlenose pliers to remove the metal retainer clip holding it in place.
Afterwards, you should be able to see the shower valve stem through the hole in your shower wall. If it has a wiggle to it, then it’s time for a new valve seat. Coat the threads of your new valve seat with pipe thread sealant or Teflon tape to ensure a snug fit, then screw it back into the wall. Once your new valve seat is in, reattach the shower valve stem by hand or use the specialty tub shower socket wrench and a crescent wrench to tighten it by hand.
4. Clean the Pipes
If your shower drain has a visible clog, you can try several DIY solutions. First, make sure that you’ve turned off the water and that the drain is completely open. Next, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of white vinegar. Let the mixture fizze and then flush with boiling hot water. This will dissolve any gunk that has built up in the pipes.
A clogged shower drain can be a major nuisance. It can lead to water stains, mold and mildew. And it can also smell really bad. You can easily prevent clogs by putting a drain cover on your tub or draining all body oils and clumps of hair before you shower.
You can also clean your tub or shower drain by using an old toothbrush and vinegar. The vinegar will help break up soap scum and remove hard water stains. For stubborn stains, use hydrogen peroxide.
Another way to keep your drain clean is by using a plunger. It will loosen up any clumps of hair that have collected.
If you’re not squeamish about getting your hands dirty with chemical drain cleaner or a metal coat hanger, you can also try removing the clog yourself. Just be careful not to scratch the surface of your tub or shower.
If you can’t clear your clogged drain, or if you find that your shower head has a leak, you may need to replace it. A leaking showerhead can waste over 500 gallons of water a year. You can fix it by ensuring that the connection between the shower head and the pipe is tight. A simple solution is to apply Teflon tape (available at most hardware stores) to the threads of your shower arm.
5. Replace the Pipes
A clogged shower drain can be the result of build-up from hard water or soap scum. You can remove most build-up with a wire brush, but some stubborn stains may require hydrogen peroxide. Soak a cloth in the peroxide and apply it to the stained area. Let it sit overnight and then rinse clean. You can also try this technique for tub drains.
The first step in repairing your old shower is to turn off the water flow with the main water stop valve, which you can usually find in your home either under your sink or behind a removable wall panel. Shut off the hot and cold water supply to your shower as well.
Next, remove the shower trim plate (also called an escutcheon) by unscrewing it from the smaller hole in your tile or wall and setting it aside. If there is caulking holding it in place, use a utility knife to carefully cut away any residue.
Once you’ve removed the plate, check that the shower valve isn’t under pressure and then cut off the “shower riser” pipe, which is the part that extends from the valve in the wall to the showerhead (Photo 1). Then disconnect the supply lines from the old faucet and connect the new ones as shown in the photo. If you’re switching from galvanized to copper piping, be sure to use Teflon pipe sealant on the threaded ends.
If you have a single-handle faucet, mark the location of the new one on your tub surround. Then, cut the new hole with a jigsaw equipped with a fine-tooth blade (a coarser blade will create more vibration that could crack or chip the surround). To protect your skin and clothing, wear a mask when working with a jigsaw.