Showers are one of the best ways to relax. Some people have a shower in their homes specifically for this. No matter the time of year, showers make us feel rejuvenated and refreshed. Unfortunately, some showers can be quite annoying when they start to leak. Leaks not only result in water damage but also increases your water bill. You can also use more water than necessary because of the extra attention you need to pay when you’re in the shower. To prevent this from happening to you, follow these simple ways to stop a leaky shower.
Table of Contents
1. Keep Your Showerhead Clean
A clean showerhead will reduce lime and scale buildup. When you turn on your water, the first few seconds of spray will be dirtiest. Use this dirty water to clean your showerhead. If you have hard water, use vinegar or lemon juice to clean the showerhead once a week. These natural acids will dissolve calcium deposits that build up inside the holes in your showerhead.
If you have a handheld showerhead, wipe the outside with a dry cloth after each use to remove droplets of soap or body oil that could clog the holes over time. You can also use rubbing alcohol instead of soap when washing your body in the shower, preventing soap scum from building up on your fixtures and yourself!
2. Install a Shower Stopper
Installing a shower stopper is incredibly simple and will prevent water from leaking out of your shower head. If you don’t already have one, then you can buy them at any hardware store for under AU$ 10. All you need to do is screw it onto your existing shower head and then turn it until it’s completely closed. This will ensure that all the water stays inside the tub when you shower and help prevent leaks.
3. Make Sure the Water Level Is Correct
If you have a low-flow showerhead that starts to leak, it may be because the water level has dropped too low. This can happen if you have an older home with older pipes or hard water deposits in your pipes that restrict water flow. To fix this problem, turn off the faucet and open up all the hot and cold valves so they are open as wide as possible. Then turn on the hot water valve until hot water comes out of one of them, don’t worry about wasting water because this will flush out any mineral deposits or sediment buildup inside your pipes.
4. Get Rid of Any Pieces of Iron Rusting
Rusting is one of the main causes of leaks in pipes because it expands and contracts with temperature changes. The expansion and contraction can cause cracks in the pipe’s walls or joints, developing into leaks. To avoid this problem, use stainless steel screws on all connections instead of brass or copper.
5. Replace Your Showerhead if It Leaks
If your showerhead leaks, it may be time for a new one. This may seem like a very simple fix, but it can be more complicated. You must ensure that when you replace the showerhead, you get one with the same thread size as your current one. If not, there’s a chance that it won’t fit properly on your bathroom fixture, and it will leak again shortly down the road.
6. Tighten All of the Connections in the Shower
One of the very most common causes of leaks in showers is loose connections. The pipe connections in your shower can easily come loose over time as they wear down from regular use. This can lead to small water leaks that you may overlook right away. However, if you start feeling drips on your feet while taking a shower, this could indicate that one of the connections has come loose somewhere in your bathroom. To fix this problem, you’ll need to tighten all of the connections in your shower so that they fit snugly together again.
7. Turn Off the Water Valve When You’re Done Showering
You might think turning off the water valve when you’re done showering is unnecessary, but this little step can save you money and prevent damage to your home. Leaving the water running longer than necessary can cause pipes to leak due to pipe corrosion. This can lead to major problems with your plumbing system and high repair bills. Avoid this by turning off the water while showering and flushing toilets.
Conclusion
You’re not alone if you’re having trouble keeping your shower from leaking. This is a common problem that plagues many homes in Australia. The very good news is that there are plenty of ways to ensure that the water stays where it’s supposed to. There are a variety of reasons your shower may be leaking. Some are easy to fix; some may require added maintenance and periodic repairs. Whatever the case, use these steps mentioned in this blog post to eliminate any leaking shower repair potential problems and stop them from leaking.
