I have a pollenex shower head (part of the two head system - one head and one wand type). It developed a slow leak that seams to be getting stronger. Sometimes it slows down when i turn the nob super tight but increases sometimes when water is turned on elsewhere in the house.
Is there anything that i can do about this before i call a plumber? If it is a simple fix, I would hate to spend the money before christmas.
2006-12-17 23:29:52 · 15 answers · asked by Lil Miss Answershine 7 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
This is simple fix, buy a good shower head that's a water saver(Home Depot have great selection of shower heads). Before you put the new shower head on you need to do few things after you remove the old shower head: 1) remove the old teflon tape from the pipe if there's one, 2) clean the pipe, but be careful not to wear down the thread, 3) put new teflon tape on the pipe before you put the new shower head on (if you buy a shower head that required taping) and that's it. Anyone can do this without calling in the plumber....you'll save a lot of money.
2006-12-17 23:48:37 · answer #1 · answered by stiletto 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The whole thing screws onto a pipe sticking out of the wall. If the leak is there, look at the sides of the part that screws on that pipe and check for cracks. If it's cracked, it's pretty hard to fix...the tighter you turn it, the more the crack will spread.
If the leak is not there, you might or might not have another joint like the other one...some combination showerheads use a different system for the showerhead part. It may look almost like the other one, so check it for cracks, too.
You may be able to just replace the showerhead part if it threads on the same as that other joint. Home depot has a really good one, called "The incredible head-Power showerhead", for less than 5 bucks. It's solid brass so it won't crack easily.
Always use teflon tape on pipe threads, and don't be shy with it...3-5 turns at least.
2006-12-23 06:09:09 · answer #2 · answered by roadlessgraveled 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't say where the leak is occurring. I'm assuming it is happening at one of the connections.
Take the connections apart that are leaking, put several wraps of Teflon tape around the threaded ends, and reassemble. Should take care of it.
The Teflon tape is much cleaner and easier to use then plumber's putty. They do the same thing: seal the joints and stop the leaks. Either one is quite inexpensive.
If the leak is not occurring at a connection, but is coming out of one of the shower heads, then the problem is occurring at the shower valve (that the faucets connect to and control). That will likely take a plumber to correct. I had to have mine replaced a couple of months ago, and it cost me around $200-$250. It was not a do-it-myself type of project.
2006-12-25 16:25:27 · answer #3 · answered by displacedyankee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a pretty simple fix for anyone handy. You need to shut off the water supply to your house, unscrew the valve and replace it. The parts are about $30, to 50$ USD. The plumbers in North California charge 70 to 80 an hour. The local neighbor handyman would do this for a lot less. Keep in mind, someone will have to go the the local hardware store to get the part, about an hour there.
The leak isn't costing you much on the water bill, this is something you can put off until after the holidays, I would.
2006-12-25 13:43:47 · answer #4 · answered by Robert D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try white plumbers tape. It's a quick fix if the leak is comming from the neck of the shower head. The tape isnt sticky, it holds on to it's self only. Very easy to use.
2006-12-17 23:37:53 · answer #5 · answered by shiea_x 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
close the main water switch when you're not using water. that way, nothing leaks. I advice you to call a plumber cause if you're inexperienced, you might make it worse and you have to pay more for your water bill. either you can a plumber now or do it after the holidays, you're gonna have to pay the plumber. Don't delay cause once we had a leak and we had to pay 200 dollars for our water bill when we usually consume only 10 dollars worth.
2006-12-23 18:08:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
remove the showerhead from the pipe and wrap some plumbers tape around the pipe. This will help to keep the pressure even in the showerhead.
2006-12-17 23:39:01 · answer #7 · answered by scalawagsdream 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Behind that board is the plumbing for the shower. The plumbing is leaking, and mold is growing in there. Call them. Be calm but firm. Tell them that you smell mold growing. Don't tell them that this has been going on for a while. Practice this: That's the way you supplied it. What's that blue tape? That's the way you supplied it.
2016-03-28 22:57:39 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remove the head and put on some teflon tape, two wraps around and then replace shower head and tighten. Should take care of it.
2006-12-18 00:42:53 · answer #9 · answered by john t 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
tighten all joints but dont overtighten. if it still leaks buy a good new one, they screw off and on like a garden hose(use teflon tape) and is a hell of alot less money than a plumber.
2006-12-22 08:50:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋