Maintaining your home is one of your major responsibilities. If you have an older house, you might not be aware that there is a problem with the plumbing and require plumbing fixtures. A leaking shower valve is a major problem. It can cause damage to walls and plumbing fixtures, and it can increase your water bill. Don't panic if you have this problem. These are the 6 steps to fix them.
1. Signs that your shower is leaking
You must first inspect the walls for leaks. They are difficult to spot so make sure you follow the signs. There are likely to be water leakages if you see water coming from the ceiling onto the basement floor. If you have an upstairs bathroom, look for water sports on the ceiling under the shower. You can also check for water drips from the ceiling.
2. Find out where your shower is leaky
Most of the time, if your shower is leaking behind a wall, you won't be able to tell by the front side. These are two options to consider in such situations.
Ensure that there is enough space around the valve to remove the shower plate. This will allow you to inspect the connections to the valve.
Remove a section of the wall from behind the valve to inspect it and any associated piping.
For better decisions and better results, make sure you contact a professional plumber if your plumbing skills are lacking.
3. Reduce the Inspection Window
It's now time to use a reciprocating saw to cut small windows in the drywall. A 10X8 inch square is sufficient to allow you to inspect the shower pipe. A flashlight and small mirror are helpful for getting a good view of the shower pipes behind the wall.
4. Locate the leaky spot
You will notice water spots on the ceiling of the tub below the drain if you cut a small hole in the drywall. To check if the drain leaks, you can put a bit of water in the tub. You will also notice a greenish-white discolouration of copper pipes from oxidation due to water leaking outside the copper piping. This will allow you to identify the leakage spot.
5. Turn on the shower
You can test the water pressure by turning on your shower. If water is seen running down the side of the pipes, it's likely that you have located the source. It could also be that the water is leaking from the showerhead's pipe. It could also be leaking out of the shower valve. Make sure to check it again and follow the steps below.
6. Repair a leaky shower arm or valve
It is possible to repair the shower arm if it is leaking behind the wall. The circular metal plate surrounding the shower arm must be removed. Now, unscrew your shower arm. The threads may not be sealed correctly and the shower arm could leak. Clean the old joint compound with a wire brush to fix it. Cover the threads with a Teflon plumbing tap and attach the arm to the back of the water pipe joint. If the arm is not leaking, you might need to shut off the water supply to the valve. If the leak is coming from the valve body, then the valve must be removed and replaced. You should call a licensed plumber if this happens.