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How to fix a shower leak

We'll locate the leak, fix the showerhead or cartridge, and tell you when to call a plumber.

How-to · Home plumbing
30–60 min
What you'll need
  • Replacement showerhead gasket
  • Replacement shower cartridge (exact match for your valve model)
  • Plumber putty (for drain)
  • Screwdriver, channel-lock pliers
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Steps

Goal: Shut off water, locate the leak, fix the showerhead or cartridge, and know when to call a plumber.

  • Turn off the hot and cold water supply valves for the shower. Relieve pressure by opening the shower faucet until water stops.
  • Good: No water flow when the faucet is open. Proceed to Locate the leak.
  • Bad: Water still flows—find the correct shutoff valves.

Locate the leak

Goal: Identify where the water is escaping.

  • Dry the shower, showerhead, and faucet area. Turn the water back on and run the shower.
  • Watch where water appears—at the showerhead (drip when off), at the faucet handle (leak when on), at the valve body, or at the drain. If water pools under the shower or in the room below, the shower pan may be leaking.
  • Good: You see water emerge from one or more spots. Proceed to Fix showerhead, Replace cartridge, or Fix drain based on location.
  • Bad: Cannot locate the leak—call a plumber.

Fix showerhead

Goal: Stop leaks at the showerhead (drip when off).

  • Unscrew the showerhead from the arm. Replace the gasket or Teflon tape on the threads. Reinstall the showerhead and tighten by hand plus a quarter turn.
  • If the showerhead still drips, the leak may be at the valve—replace the shower cartridge.
  • Good: No drips when the shower is off. Proceed to Verification.
  • Bad: Still drips—replace the cartridge. If valve body is damaged, call a plumber.

Replace cartridge

Goal: Stop leaks at the faucet handle or when the shower is off.

  • Remove the handle and trim to access the cartridge. Pull the cartridge and replace it with an exact match for your valve model. Reinstall the trim and handle. Turn the water on and check for leaks.
  • Good: No drips at the handle or showerhead. Proceed to Verification.
  • Bad: Valve body is damaged—call a plumber.

Fix drain

Goal: Stop leaks at the drain.

  • Remove the drain cover and reapply plumber putty or a new gasket. If the leak is at the connection under the shower, you need access to the plumbing. Tighten the slip nut a quarter turn—do not overtighten.
  • Good: No drips at the drain. Proceed to Verification.
  • Bad: Shower pan is leaking—call a plumber. The shower pan requires professional repair.

When to get help

Call a plumber if:

  • The leak is inside the wall.
  • The valve body is damaged.
  • The shower pan is leaking (water under the shower or in the room below).
  • You cannot locate the source.

Do not overtighten connections—you can damage fittings.

Verification

  • No drips at the showerhead, handle, or drain when the shower is off or on.
  • The shower drains normally and the area around the shower stays dry.

Where is the leak?

Dry the shower. Run the shower. Watch for water at showerhead, handle, valve, or drain.

Shut off the water. Dry the shower. Turn water on and run the shower. Good: you see water at the showerhead, handle, valve, or drain. Bad: cannot locate—call a plumber.

Showerhead or handle Drain or shower pan

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Fix showerhead or cartridge

Replace showerhead gasket first. If still drips, replace the shower cartridge. Good: no drip. Bad: valve body damaged—call a plumber.

Done

Is the shower pan leaking?

Water under the shower or in the room below suggests a leak in the shower pan.

Check if leak is at drain or shower pan. Drain: fix drain flange or connection. Shower pan: call a plumber—requires professional repair.

Shower pan Drain

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Fix drain

Replace drain flange putty or connection. Good: no leak. Bad: still leaks—call a plumber.

Done

Call a plumber

Call a plumber if the shower pan is leaking, the leak is inside the wall, or you cannot locate the source. Do not overtighten connections.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why does my shower leak?
Common causes: a worn showerhead gasket, a worn cartridge or valve seat, a loose drain connection, or a failed shower pan seal. The cartridge controls water flow; a worn cartridge causes drips. The drain can leak at the flange or where it connects to the pipe.
Can I fix a shower leak myself?
Yes. Most leaks at the showerhead or faucet can be fixed by replacing the showerhead gasket or the cartridge. Shut off the water first. If the leak is inside the wall or the valve body is damaged, call a plumber.
When should I call a plumber for a shower leak?
Call a plumber if the leak is inside the wall, the valve body is damaged, the shower pan is leaking (water under the shower), or you cannot locate the source. Do not overtighten connections—you can damage fittings.

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