How to Fix a Dripping Showerhead

A showerhead that drips constantly — not just for a few seconds after turning off — is wasting water and can usually be fixed yourself in under 30 minutes.

First: Is It Actually a Leak?

A showerhead dripping for 5–10 seconds after you turn off the water is normal — that's residual water draining from the pipe. You have a real problem if water keeps dripping steadily for minutes or hours after the shower is off.

What Causes a Dripping Showerhead

Worn washer or O-ring — the most common cause. The rubber seal inside the fitting degrades over time and no longer closes completely.

Loose connection — the showerhead isn't tight on the arm, or the PTFE tape seal has worn away and water seeps through the threads.

Limescale buildup — in hard water areas, mineral deposits can build up inside the showerhead and prevent a clean shutoff.

Faulty shower valve — if replacing the washer doesn't stop the drip, the valve cartridge inside the wall may be worn. This is a bigger job.

How to Fix It

Step 1 — Turn off the water supply

Turn off the isolator valve for the shower (usually under the floor or in a nearby cupboard), or shut off the main water supply. Open the shower briefly to release pressure and confirm the water is off.

Step 2 — Remove the showerhead

Wrap a cloth around the shower arm to protect the finish. Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the showerhead anti-clockwise.

Step 3 — Inspect and replace the washer

Look inside the showerhead fitting at the threaded end. There should be a rubber washer or O-ring:

• If it's cracked, flattened, or visibly worn — replace it. Take the old one to a hardware store to match the size.
• If it looks fine, the issue may be the thread seal.

Step 4 — Clean out limescale

If you see mineral buildup on the showerhead holes or inside the fitting:

• Soak the showerhead in white vinegar for 30–60 minutes
• Scrub with an old toothbrush
• Rinse thoroughly before reassembling

Step 5 — Reseal the threads and reattach

Remove the old PTFE tape from the shower arm threads. Wrap 2–3 layers of fresh PTFE plumber's tape clockwise around the threads (as you look at the end of the arm). This creates a watertight seal.

Screw the showerhead back on — hand-tight first, then a quarter-turn with the wrench. Don't overtighten or you risk cracking the fitting.

Step 6 — Turn the water back on and test

If the drip has stopped, you're done. If it persists, the problem is likely the shower valve cartridge, not the showerhead connection.

If the Valve Is the Problem

A drip that continues after fixing the showerhead connection usually means the valve cartridge inside the wall is worn. Shower valve cartridge replacements are brand-specific — take the old cartridge to a hardware store to match it. If you're not comfortable working inside the wall, this is the point to call a plumber.

When to Call a Plumber

• The shower valve can't be fully closed
• Water is dripping from the ceiling below or behind the wall
• You can't identify the valve type

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