How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head

How to Fix a Leaking Shower Head

A shower head that drips when the shower is off wastes water and can stain your tub or shower floor. The fix is almost always a worn washer or O-ring — a repair you can do yourself in under 30 minutes.

Where Is It Leaking From?

• Dripping from the nozzle when off — worn washer or O-ring inside the shower head, or a faulty shower valve cartridge
• Leaking at the connection between shower head and arm — worn thread seal or O-ring at the connection point
• Leaking from the wall where the arm enters — the shower valve inside the wall is leaking (not the shower head itself)

Fix 1: Tighten the Connection

If water is leaking at the joint between the shower head and the shower arm:

1. Hand-tighten the shower head onto the arm — sometimes it's just loose
2. If still leaking, remove the shower head, wrap the arm threads with PTFE thread seal tape (3–4 wraps clockwise), and reinstall
3. Use a rubber strap wrench to tighten without scratching the finish

Fix 2: Replace the Washer or O-Ring

If water drips from the nozzle when the shower is off, the internal washer or O-ring has worn out:

1. Turn off the water supply (main shut-off or bathroom shut-off)
2. Remove the shower head — use a rubber strap wrench to avoid scratching
3. Look inside the shower head connection — find the rubber washer or O-ring
4. Replace it with a matching new one (bring the old one to the hardware store to match size)
5. Wrap the arm threads with fresh PTFE tape and reinstall
6. Turn water back on and test

Fix 3: Clean Clogged Nozzles

Mineral deposits can cause water to drip from clogged nozzles even after the shower is off. Clean the nozzles:

• Use the shower head cleaning brush set to clear each nozzle hole
• Or soak the shower head in white vinegar for 1–2 hours to dissolve mineral buildup, then scrub

Fix 4: Replace the Shower Head

If the shower head itself is cracked, corroded, or the internal parts are too worn to repair:

👉 AquaCare High Pressure 8-mode Handheld Shower Head — anti-clog nozzles, 6ft stainless steel hose, wall and overhead brackets included. Easy to install in minutes.

Fix 5: The Drip Is from the Shower Valve

If the shower head is fine but water still drips from the nozzle when off, the problem is the shower valve cartridge inside the wall — not the shower head. See our guide on How to Fix a Leaking Shower Faucet for the cartridge replacement process.

Bottom Line

Most shower head leaks are fixed by resealing the connection with PTFE tape or replacing the internal washer. If the shower head is old or corroded, replacing it entirely is often the easiest and most cost-effective fix.