Fix a Dripping Shower Faucet

Shower faucets leak from the inside, not the pipes. That steady drip you hear at night isn't a sign of catastrophic plumbing failure; it's a worn rubber seal or cartridge losing its grip. The good news is that fixing it requires no special skills, no soldering, and no emergency call to a plumber. The bad news is the drip costs you real money—a shower that drips once per second wastes roughly 10,000 gallons a year. More importantly, you'll know your shower is fixed completely, not just temporarily quieted. The work is straightforward: shut off the water, disassemble the handle, swap out the worn parts, and reassemble. Most homeowners finish in under an hour with tools already in the house.

1. Stop the Water First. Locate the main water shutoff valve for your house, typically in the basement, crawlspace, or on the exterior wall. Turn it clockwise until it stops. If you have individual shutoff valves for hot and cold lines behind the shower wall or under the sink, use those instead—it's faster. Open the shower valve and let any remaining water drain out. You should see no water flow at all.
2. Expose the Hidden Fasteners. Look for a small screw under the handle, often hidden under a decorative cap or plug. Pry the cap off gently with a flathead screwdriver if needed. Unscrew the handle screw and pull the handle straight toward you. If there's a decorative trim ring around the faucet body, unscrew it counterclockwise by hand or with an adjustable wrench.
3. Unscrew to Unlock Access. Behind the handle, you'll see a hexagonal nut (the packing nut) threaded onto the faucet body. Use an adjustable wrench or socket wrench to turn it counterclockwise. Turn it until it comes free in your hand. The cartridge or valve seat sits directly underneath.
4. Remove the Worn Cartridge. Grip the cartridge (it looks like a small plastic or metal cylinder) with needle-nose pliers or a cartridge puller tool, and pull it straight out toward you. Don't twist or wiggle—straight out. If you have an older faucet with a valve seat instead of a cartridge (a small brass cone), use a valve seat wrench to unscrew it counterclockwise, or a screwdriver if it has a slot.
5. Check for Hidden Wear. Look at the cartridge. You'll see small rubber O-rings or seals around it. These wear out and cause the drip. Check the valve seat (if applicable) for pitting or corrosion—if it's rough or deeply scarred, it must be replaced. If the cartridge body is cracked or the seals are visibly flattened, the cartridge is shot and needs replacement.
6. Clear Mineral Buildup Away. While the cartridge is out, debris or mineral buildup inside the faucet body can prevent a seal. Use a clean cloth or soft brush to wipe out the inside of the cavity where the cartridge sat. Don't use abrasive materials. If you see white mineral deposits, soak the area with white vinegar on a cloth for 5 minutes, then wipe clean.
7. Seat the New Cartridge. If you're replacing the cartridge, slide the new one straight into the cavity, aligning any grooves or tabs. Push it in until it's fully seated and flush with the faucet body. If you're resealing an existing cartridge (O-ring replacement kit), remove the old O-rings, clean them off, and slide the new rubber seals onto the cartridge in the same positions. Then insert the resealed cartridge.
8. Tighten with Finesse. Thread the packing nut back onto the faucet body by hand first, then tighten it with your wrench. Tighten it firmly but don't over-torque—you'll crush the new seals if you bear down too hard. It should be snug enough that you can't wiggle the cartridge by hand.
9. Restore the Handle. Thread the trim ring back onto the faucet body by hand and tighten it gently with your wrench if needed. Slide the handle onto the stem, making sure it's pointing in the right direction (straight down for off, left for hot, right for cold—adjust as needed). Insert the handle screw and tighten it. Press the decorative cap or plug back into place.
10. Restore Flow and Check. Go to your main shutoff or individual shutoff valves and turn the handle counterclockwise slowly. Listen for the water to flow back into the pipes. Walk back to the shower and open the faucet to full hot and full cold. Check for any leaks around the handle or trim ring. The water should flow normally, and there should be no drips when you close the valve.
11. Confirm the Drip is Gone. Turn off the shower and leave it closed. After 10 minutes, get close to the faucet and listen for a drip. You should hear nothing. Place a small cup under the showerhead and wait 30 minutes. A properly fixed faucet will not produce even one drop in 30 minutes.