Fix Leaky Shower Faucet : Advice On How To Fix Your Leaky Shower Faucet The Easy Way
What is the common thread that runs between a brushed nickel hand held shower
faucet from Kohler and a Danze single handle shower faucet in bewitching brass
that manage to change the vapid landscape of your bathroom with trademark
finesse?
No, I’m not referring to manner in which these avant-garde plumbing fixtures
remind you of your well-heeled and well-placed existence; after all, whether it
is a smoldering bronze bathtub faucet that boasts of an iconic name like Chrome,
or a Delta shower faucet in captivating copper that’s dripping with style, they
offer the best-possible solution when your relentless efforts to add a whole new
twist to the old prove feckless.
So if it’s not the tantalizing impact of these taps, then what am I making such
a song and dance about here? Well, let me not obfuscate matters any further with
this complicated narrative.
Ever spared a thought for the unmitigated agony and misery that these
progressive and luxurious washerless compression faucets rain on you when things
don’t exactly pan out as per script? Simply put, can a layman like you discount
the deflating impact of a shower head faucet replacement exercise?
As banal as it may sound, ‘fix leaky shower faucet’ is a frightening foursome
that can rock the boat with unfailing regularity.
The Same Old Sob Story
But it’s not just how to fix a leaky shower faucet that has homeowners in a
tizzy. Clearing clogged drains, fixing faulty pipes, replacing worn-out valves
in wall mounted faucets or even repairs to minor faucet parts has most people in
a spin.
It is, therefore, not entirely bemusing that most hapless, harried homeowners
look for succor in contents of yellow pages rather than making an earnest
attempt to stop a leaky faucet themselves. Little do they realize that this
inveterate tendency of seeking salvation from different sources actually causes
a severe drain on their resources.
Contrary to popular perception, one does not require to be a plumbing
professional to deal with this ostensibly onerous task. A few plumbing tools and
supplies when combined with craft and creativity can put a decided end to all
your water-related woes.
So are you ready to seal the fate of this perpetual drip-drip saga?
Steel Yourself For The Battle Royale
Now that you have made up your mind to take up the cudgels in this fight against
the dysfunctional faucet, you must ensure that your efforts are ably buttressed
by the following:
- A set of socket wrenches
- Pliers and adjustable wrench
- A hammer and flathead screwdriver
- A motley group of ‘O’ rings and washers
- A flashlight, chisel and penknife
- Teflon tape
Time To Get Down To Business
Your tools are in place and you are raring to go, so what’s the delay? Here’s
how you can completely lift the specters of that ominous shower faucet:
- Check the temperature of the water leaking from the faucet. Thereafter, turn off the supply at the water heater.
- The valve body assembly must be removed only after gauging the temperature.
- The water supply must be stopped completely, either at the basement or at the bathroom.
- Leave the faucet open for a while; this will allow all the water to drain out completely.
- Focus your attention on the faucet handle. Turn it clockwise, and remove the faucet handle screw. Just in case you have a hard time locating this screw, search for it under the snap-on cover. You may need copious doses of help from a screwdriver or penknife to take off this cover.
- Take off the faucet handle; use a good lubricant like some penetrating oil to remove this part. If the handle and the stem seem inseparable, the hammer handle could come in handy.
- Put the inner parts of the shower head under the microscope. Does the rubber gasket leave a black trail? If yes, then replace this worn-out part immediately with a new part of exactly the same size.
- A new ‘O’ ring placed inside the shower head assembly calls for some amount of dexterity.
- Use appropriate products to treat lime deposits around the faucet handle.
- Replace the faucet handle, and thread the shower head into its place. Make sure you do not exert too much force while doing this.
- The leak in the joint between the head and the pipe can be addressed by a few wraps of Teflon tape in the same direction as the threads.
The Moment Of Truth
The moment of reckoning is finally here. Hold your breath, and turn on the
faucet. If you find the drips and leaks have become a thing of the past, then it
definitely calls for celebration.
But if the leak persists, you may need to tighten the faucet head a little more.
Finally, you can bid adieu to those sleepless nights.