A leaking shower can increase your water
bill exponentially, not to mention the dripping sound you can hear coming from
your ensuite while you try to sleep is just plain annoying. A leaking shower,
while seemingly harmless, can ruin the structural integrity of your home. For
this reason it is imperative that you determine the cause of a leaking shower
as early as possible.
There are various causes for a leaking
shower, but identifying them can be a challenge in and of itself.
With the help
of some tools you can track down the cause of your leaking shower at the
source.
- Remove the Shower Head
A loose shower head is perhaps the most
common cause of leaks. Tighten the shower head and check if the leak stops. If
not, remove the shower head. To prevent damaging your shower fixture use a
towel as a protective layer before unscrewing the head using a wrench or a similar tool.
- Checking the O-Ring
Once you
have unscrewed the head check the O-Ring. This is a black rubber ring which
acts as a seal inside the shower head. Check whether the O-ring has become hard
or is damaged in any way. Over time it is not uncommon for O-rings to solidify
and crack.
If
this is the case, count yourself lucky as a replacement O-ring will have your
shower working perfectly again. All you
need is a replacement O-ring (bunnings should have what you seek).
If the O-Ring looks fine it is time to pick
a screwdriver and remove the shower head faceplate. Look for debris in the face
plate which could be obstructing the holes of your showerhead. Often white
buildups of calcium cause a blockage causing the shower to leak long after you
have turned off the taps. A little elbow grease should do the trick here. If
not, you can soak the shower head in white vinegar for 7-9 hours. The vinegar
will help loosen the calcium which you can then remover with a brush and hot
water.
Great, you’ve identified what you think may
have been the issue and remedied it, now it’s time to re-attach the shower head
using a towel for protection once more.
If the leak continues after reattaching the
shower head it is possible your leak is internal. But before you decide to tear
up any tiles like Bob the Builder, Megasealed can provide you with one of our
accredited technicians who will take the guesswork out of identifying the leak
using our thermal imaging technology.
After identifying the source perhaps the
fix isn’t as easy as replacing an O-ring, maybe you have a leaking shower base or something even worse.
Megasealed provide cost-effective
solutions to fix leaks without removing tiles. Simply call 1300 658 007 for a
FREE in-home quote today or visit us here.
