How To Fix a Leaking Shower and/or Tub Spout

One of the most annoying sounds is of water dripping steadily from a shower head or tub spout. The majority of the time, it is not a big repair that needs to be made. Usually the cartridge just needs to be replaced. It is not a matter of if but a matter of when will a cartridge wear out and need to be replaced. Below are some steps that can be taken to make this repair a little easier.

1. You will need certain tools to pull this repair off. Of course, you will need a new cartridge. Sometimes this is easy just by figuring out the manufacturer of your particular shower handle. Other times you may need to remove the cartridge and take it with you to the store to find a replacement. This however would not be the first choice as your water will need to be shut off the whole time. You will want a flat headed screw driver, some adjustable pliers (channel locks), hex keys (Allen wrenches), needle nose pliers, silicone faucet grease, and you may want to get a cartridge puller. These can make removing the old cartridge easier.

2. With all of that being said the first thing you will want to do to start the repair is shut off the water. If you are on a well then you can turn off the breaker to the water pump, turn the handle, and drain out the excess water. If you are on city water, you will need to locate your main water shutoff. Oftentimes these are located in the front yard and you will need a special tool in order to shut it off. These tools are usually sold at your local big box home improvement store and online at stores like Amazon. Once the water is shut off from the city, you will want to turn the handle and let the water drain out.

3. You will then want to remove the decorative trim plate around the shower handle. Usually this required a flat headed screwdriver.

4. Then remove the handle. Sometimes these can be pulled off but oftentimes there is a set screw on the underside that will require the use of a hex key (Allen Wrench) to loosen the screw and then remove the handle.

5. After the handle is removed you may be able to see the cartridge. You might still need to remove a metal sleeve that pulls tight off and a plastic piece that limits how far the handle can turn. That is a temperature limit stop kit. If you see this, think about taking a picture so you know exactly how it should be placed once the cartridge is replaced.

6. Now there will probably me a metal retainer clip stopping the cartridge from being pulled out. Just remove this clip using some needle nose pliers.

7. Now the cartridge can be removed. When doing this, be very careful not to pull to hard. Pulling too hard or yanking on the cartridge could damage the pipes in the wall which could create a much larger problem than you already have. I use firm and steady pressure and usually the cartridge eventually starts to slide out. If it isn't then this is where a cartridge puller can be a real life saver.

8. Once the old cartridge is removed, take the new cartridge and apply some silicone grease to it. Then insert it into the valve just like the old one was.

9. Now replace the retaining clip and any hardware that was removed.

10. Attach the shower handle.

11. Reinstall the trim plate.

12. Now you are ready to test out your new cartridge. Turn the main water back on and test it to make sure it is no longer leaking.

All cartridge kits will come with some sort of instructions. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions as they can all differ. If you would like a visual as to how I replaced my shower cartridge, make sure to check out the video below! Good luck on the installation!