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How to fix a shower head leak

We'll clean the head, replace the washer, or tighten the connection—and tell you when to call a plumber.

How-to · Home plumbing
15–30 min
What you'll need
  • Replacement washer (if needed)
  • Pipe tape (Teflon)
  • White vinegar
  • Adjustable wrench (optional)

At a glance

  • Shut off the water supply to the shower before working on the head.
  • Remove the shower head and clean mineral buildup with vinegar; replace the washer if worn.
  • Hand-tighten the shower head onto the arm; use tape or a wrench only if needed—do not overtighten.
  • Replace a cracked or corroded shower head with a new one; thread size is usually 1/2 inch NPT.
  • If the leak is at the wall or arm connection, you may need to replace the arm or call a plumber.
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Steps

Goal: Shut off water, clean or repair the shower head, and know when to call a plumber.

  • Shut off the water to the shower. Turn the shower on to relieve pressure.
  • Good: No water flows. Proceed to Remove the shower head.
  • Bad: Water still flows—find the correct shutoff valve.

Remove the shower head

Goal: Take off the shower head to clean or repair it.

  • Wrap the shower arm with a cloth. Twist the head counterclockwise to loosen. Use a wrench on the arm (not the head) if needed. Inspect the washer inside.
  • Good: Head is off; you can see the washer and nozzles. Proceed to Clean the head or Replace washer.
  • Bad: Head will not budge or arm turns—call a plumber to avoid damaging the pipe in the wall.

Clean the head

Goal: Remove mineral buildup that causes dripping or reduced flow.

  • Soak the shower head in white vinegar for 30–60 minutes. Scrub the nozzles with a toothbrush. Rinse with water.
  • Good: Nozzles are clear; no buildup blocks the seal. Proceed to Tighten connection.
  • Bad: Head is cracked or corroded—replace the head.

Replace washer

Goal: Fix leaks at the connection with a new washer.

  • Remove the old washer and replace with an exact match. Seat it correctly and hand-tighten the head onto the arm. Add pipe tape if needed.
  • Good: No drips at the connection. Proceed to Verification.
  • Bad: Still leaks—check if the head or arm is damaged. Replace the head or call a plumber.

Tighten connection

Goal: Stop leaks from a loose connection.

  • Hand-tighten the head. If it still leaks, wrap the arm threads with pipe tape clockwise, then screw the head on. Snug with a wrench only if needed—do not overtighten.
  • Good: No drips when the shower is off. Proceed to Verification.
  • Bad: Leak is at the wall—call a plumber.

When to get help

Call a plumber if:

  • The leak is at the wall (where the arm enters the wall).
  • The shower arm is corroded or broken.
  • You need to access plumbing inside the wall.

Do not force the arm—you can damage the pipe. For other plumbing fixes, see Fix a shower faucet that leaks or How to unclog a drain.

Verification

  • No drips from the shower head when the shower is off.
  • Water flows evenly from all nozzles.
  • The connection between the head and arm is dry.

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why does my shower head leak?
Common causes: mineral buildup blocking the seal, a worn washer between the head and arm, a loose connection, or a cracked shower head. Hard water accelerates wear on washers and seals.
Can I fix a shower head leak myself?
Yes. Most shower head leaks are fixable by cleaning, replacing the washer, or tightening the connection. Shut off the water first. If the leak is at the wall or the arm is corroded, call a plumber.
When should I call a plumber for a shower head leak?
Call a plumber if the leak is at the wall connection, the shower arm is corroded or broken, or you need to access plumbing inside the wall. Do not force the arm—you can damage the pipe inside the wall.

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