Moen waterfall shower head install#

This type of leak is especially common in shower heads with swivel connections, which have a seal behind the swivel assembly. Washers and O-rings form watertight seals between connections on a shower head, but they can harden or split over time, which allows water to leak out. If you have noticed the shower handle leaking water, the problem may lie in the seal between the shower arm and the shower head.

Moen waterfall shower head install#

Check for a worn seal and install an O-ring replacement. To break up the hard water deposits, soak the shower head overnight in white vinegar to soften the mineral deposits, and then scrub away any remaining residue with an old toothbrush or soft-bristle brush. Over time, hard water deposits can build up in the holes of the shower head, restricting the spray of water and forcing the backed-up water out around the faceplate or out from the junction of the shower head and arm. Now that the shower head is removed, it may be easier to see why the spray isn’t as good as it once was. Without the cloth, the force of the pliers could damage the finish on the shower head. If the shower head is stuck, cover the shower head with a soft cloth and then use pliers to release it. Then, remove the shower head by loosening the nut that secures it to the shower arm.įor older showers, this step may end up being much harder than it sounds. Remove the shower head.Īfter making sure the water is turned off to the shower, cover the drain hole in the shower to prevent any of the pieces you’ll be removing from falling into the hole. Then, head to a sink on the lowest level of the home and turn on the taps (both hot and cold) so water in the pipes above can drain out. Turn the circular knob clockwise until you can’t turn it any further, or turn the lever clockwise 90 degrees. The knob is usually a circular spigot or a ball valve with a lever handle. It’s usually on the lowest floor, typically in a basement on the wall where the water meter is located. (However, if there’s a shut-off valve in an access panel, go ahead and use it.)įor those who don’t have an easy-access shower shutoff, head to the main water supply shutoff. While you don’t need to turn off the water supply to the entire house to fix most plumbing fixtures, showers don’t usually have their own accessible shut-off valves. Turn off the water supply to your shower. Test out the shower head to see if this simple cleaning fixed the issue. Then, spray the cleaner on the shower head and scrub the nooks and crannies of the nozzle with a small nylon-bristled brush or toothbrush. First, use the cleaner to wipe any residue from the shower head and handle with a soft cloth. (In general, it’s good practice to clean the shower head regularly, so try to do it whenever you’re cleaning the rest of the bathroom.)Ĭhoose an all-purpose bathroom cleaner that does not contain strong chemicals, as they can damage nozzles and discolor some shower head finishes. It’s not necessary to remove the shower head at this point. Besides, removing any built-up residue and minerals may help unclog some of what’s causing the shower issues. Give the shower head and shower head handle a quick clean.īefore attempting to fix the leaks, it’s a good idea to clean the shower head and handle. Repairing a leaking shower head that drips when turned off is more complicated but, depending on the cause, may also be solved without a plumber. Fortunately, fixing a leak from behind a shower head faceplate will likely be a quick project that won’t require special tools or skills.