Why Does a Shower Head Keep Dripping?
If a shower head drips for more than a minute after shutoff, the shower valve cartridge is worn and letting water past. If it sprays sideways or leaks at the connection, it is usually mineral buildup or bad thread tape at the arm. The first needs a plumber, the second usually does not.
Is the Leak at the Head or Behind the Wall?
Run this quick test. Turn the shower on, then off, and watch.
- Drips stop within a minute: normal. Water left in the arm is draining out.
- Drips continue for hours: the valve cartridge is not sealing.
- Water leaks where the head meets the arm: thread tape or the washer at that joint.
- Water stains on the ceiling below or the wall outside: stop and call a plumber. That is a hidden leak, not a drip.
A hidden leak behind tile can rot framing before you ever see it. Our guide on how to tell if you have a water leak covers the signs.
How Do You Fix the Easy Version Yourself?
If the leak is at the connection, this is a 20 minute job:
- Unscrew the shower head by hand or with a cloth wrapped wrench.
- Clean the threads on the shower arm.
- Wrap fresh plumber's thread tape clockwise, three or four turns.
- Thread the head back on and snug it, do not crank it.
If the spray pattern is uneven, soak the head in white vinegar for a few hours to dissolve scale. Central Illinois hard water plugs nozzles fast, which is the same buildup covered in our hard water guide.
What Does a Worn Shower Valve Cartridge Take to Repair?
A constant drip after shutoff means the cartridge inside the wall valve is worn. Replacing it means shutting off water to the bathroom or the house, pulling the handle and trim, removing a retaining clip, and pulling the cartridge out without damaging the valve body. Brands differ and the part must match exactly.
It is doable for an experienced homeowner with an access panel. It is a bad first plumbing project, because a seized cartridge in an old valve can crack the valve body and turn a drip into an open pipe inside a wall.
How Much Does Shower Leak Repair Cost?
A shower head reseal or replacement usually runs $125 to $250. A valve cartridge replacement typically runs $200 to $450 depending on brand and access. A full shower valve replacement that requires opening the wall generally runs $450 to $900.
These are typical ranges for homes in our area, not a quote. You get a firm price in writing before any work starts.
Who Repairs Shower Leaks in Pekin and Peoria?
Trouble Free Heating, Cooling & Plumbing repairs shower valves, heads, and hidden leaks across Pekin, Peoria, Morton, and Canton. We carry common cartridges on the truck so most repairs finish in one visit. See our leak detection and repair page.
Call (309) 347-5309 or request a plumber. A real person answers our phone 24/7, gathers the details, and helps coordinate the next available technician.