How do you fix a leaky shower faucet?

Leaky shower faucets are usually fixed by replacing worn out parts in the shower faucet valve such as the cartridge in single handle shower faucets. Shower faucet valve parts get worn down in time due to regular use, corrosion and hard water stain buildup. While the fix for leaky shower valves may vary depending on its design, basic steps in replacing the parts are the same.

The following shows one method in replacing the cartridge valve in most single, cartridge style shower faucet valves.

1. Turn off the water supply
The water supply line to the shower faucet is usually located within the bathroom. Alternatively, the water supply to the whole house also be turned off while fixing the shower faucet.
2. Remove the handle
The screw that secures the handle is usually hidden by a handle cap. Use a screwdriver to pop the cap off to expose the screw. Pull out the handle after removing the screw.
3. Remove the shower handle cartridge
To remove the handle cartridge, pry out the retaining cartridge clip and then pull out the cartridge using a pair of pliers. Doing this may take a bit of effort. Using a cartridge puller for this part will make short work of this step. Take the old cartridge to a plumber's supply store to make sure that the replacement will be the right one for the shower faucet model.
4. Install the replacement cartridge
Install the replacement cartridge and reassemble all the parts of the handle together. Turn on the water supply to see if the problem has been solved.