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How to fix a shower leak?

Hi, my shower head is leaking and I'm trying to figure out why. I have replaced the wall elbow but it's still leaking. I have also replaced my shower head and shower hose.. Could it be that the shower taps need new washers? My problem is that I was unable to remove the taps. I tried the wrench and even bought the strap wrench but I was unable to loosen the taps.

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MitchellMc

Hi @Pauliina,

Any leaking from the shower head or the point where the shower hose connects usually means that water is bypassing the taps and making its way up the pipe when it shouldn't be. If the taps were sealing properly, no water would be getting through at all, so this likely means the internal tap valves (or washers) need replacing.

It sounds like you've already replaced the elbow, the hose, and the shower head itself, so the next step would be to service the taps. If you're having trouble removing the tap handles, it might help to share a photo so our community members can see what type of taps you’re dealing with. There are a few tricks that might help loosen them depending on the design. Once you’re able to access the tap bodies, replacing the washers or the entire valve mechanism is usually straightforward and should stop the leak.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Pauliina

Thanks Mitchell. My new wall elbow has ability to shut down the water and because I haven't been able to open the Taps, I have turned the water off from the elbow and that has stopped the leak for now. Do you think this is

ok? Please see picture attached. I have also attached photo of my taps.

Thanks again.

MitchellMc

That's a novel way of resolving the issue, which will likely work, @Pauliina.

I see what you mean about the taps. Those cone-shaped cover flanges can be notoriously hard to undo as the tapered sides are not much good for grip.

There are a couple of solutions. The first is to destructively remove them with adjustable pliers. The teeth should bite into the metal, but they'll destroy it in the process. This isn't the worst thing, as a new set of wall taps in a similar style like the Estilo Chrome Wall Top Assembly Set will set you back $29, which include the washers. Since replacement washers for your set will cost at least $5, it's not such a bad deal.

The second option, which could also cause damage to the taps, is to remove the tap handles by removing the Hot/Cold buttons. You can then grip onto the end of the spindle and try to use it to back out the spindle from the wall. Certainly not a recommended approach, but if all else has failed.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Pauliina

Thank you Mitchell. You have been very helpful 😊. I give it a try with pliers.

MitchellMc

Specifically, you'll need multigrip pliers, @Pauliina.

Let us know if you get stuck.

Mitchell

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