How to Fix a Dripping Showerhead Yourself (Before Calling a Plumber)
Quick Answer: How Do You Fix a Dripping Showerhead?
A dripping showerhead is almost always a worn rubber washer at the connection, or a loose fit that lets water seep past the threads. Unscrew the head, swap the washer, wrap the threads in plumber’s tape, and reattach — done in about 15 minutes.
A dripping showerhead is one of the smallest plumbing annoyances, but it wastes water every hour of every day. Good news — it’s almost never the valve itself, just the connection.
What’s Actually Wrong? (Diagnosis)
| Symptom | Likely cause | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| Drips from the connection where the head meets the arm | Loose fit or worn washer | Fix 1 |
| Drips continue for minutes after shutoff | Worn shower valve cartridge | Fix 2 |
| Drips from the nozzle holes themselves | Mineral buildup holding water | See our Low Shower Pressure guide |
What You’ll Need
- Rubber washer matching your showerhead size — $2–5
- Plumber’s tape — $3
- Adjustable wrench — $10–15
- Old cloth — to protect the finish while tightening
Fix 1: Tighten the Connection and Replace the Washer 15 MIN · EASY
- Unscrew the showerhead by hand, using a cloth-wrapped wrench only if it’s stuck.
- Check the small rubber washer inside the connection — if it’s cracked, flattened, or missing, that’s your leak.
- Replace the washer with a matching size from the hardware store.
- Wrap the shower arm threads clockwise with plumber’s tape, 3–4 wraps.
- Reattach and hand-tighten, then snug a quarter turn more with the wrench.
Still dripping minutes after you turn the shower off entirely? The valve behind the wall is the real culprit.
Fix 2: Check the Shower Valve 30 MIN · MEDIUM
If water keeps trickling out well after shutoff, the shower’s mixing valve — not the showerhead — has a worn cartridge or seal, the same issue covered in our Leaky Faucet guide.
- Turn off the water supply to the bathroom if there’s a dedicated shutoff.
- Remove the shower handle and pull the cartridge, following the same steps as a single-handle faucet cartridge swap.
- Replace with a matching cartridge and reassemble.
When You SHOULD Call a Plumber
- The drip continues after a new washer and cartridge — the valve body itself may be worn out.
- You find water damage behind the wall when accessing the valve.
Fair pricing: expect $125–250 for a standard showerhead or valve repair call-out.
How to Stop It Happening Again
- Don’t overtighten the showerhead when reattaching after cleaning.
- Replace the washer proactively every 2–3 years in hard water areas.
FAQ: Dripping Showerhead
- Why does my showerhead drip only for a minute after I turn the water off?
- Residual dripping right after shutoff usually means the shower valve itself, not the showerhead, has a worn cartridge — check the valve if a new washer doesn’t help.
- Do I need to buy a whole new showerhead, or is the fix really this small?
- It’s really this small in the vast majority of cases — a $2–5 washer resolves most drips. Replacing the whole showerhead is rarely necessary unless it’s old, corroded, or you want a different style anyway.
The Bottom Line
A dripping showerhead is a $2–15 fix, not a $125–250 one. Fifteen minutes with a wrench and a washer, and you’re done.
Keep going: Low Shower Pressure? 5 Causes and Fixes · How to Fix a Leaky Faucet · more in our Plumbing fix guides.
