How to Fix a Leaking Delta Shower Faucet: A Step-by-Step Guide

AvatarByLiana Farrell Faucet Queries

Do you have a leaking Delta shower faucet? You’re not alone. This is a common problem, but it’s one that you can easily fix yourself. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to repair a leaking Delta shower faucet. We’ll provide you with detailed instructions, pictures, and videos, so you can be confident that you’re doing the job correctly.

By the end of this article, you’ll know:

  • How to identify the source of the leak
  • How to remove the faucet handle and stem
  • How to replace the O-rings and washers
  • How to reassemble the faucet

So, if you’re ready to get started, let’s get to it!

Step Instructions Image
1 Turn off the water supply to the shower faucet.
2 Remove the handle and trim plate by unscrewing the screws that hold them in place.
3 Inspect the cartridge for damage. If the cartridge is damaged, replace it with a new one.
4 Reassemble the shower faucet.
5 Turn on the water supply to the shower faucet and test it to make sure that the leak is fixed.

Identifying the Source of the Leak

The first step to repairing a leaking Delta shower faucet is to identify the source of the leak. This can be done by following these steps:

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet. This is usually done by turning the shut-off valve located behind the faucet clockwise.
2. Remove the shower head. To do this, unscrew the shower head from the faucet stem. If the shower head is stuck, you can try using a penetrating oil to loosen it.
3. Inspect the faucet stem for leaks. Look for any signs of water coming from the faucet stem, such as water droplets or a wet spot.
4. If you see water coming from the faucet stem, you will need to disassemble the faucet to find the source of the leak.

Dripping from the faucet handle

If the faucet handle is dripping, the problem is likely a worn-out washer or O-ring. To fix this, you will need to remove the faucet handle and replace the washer or O-ring.

To remove the faucet handle, you will need to:

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet.
2. Remove the screws that hold the faucet handle in place.
3. Pull the faucet handle off of the faucet stem.
4. Remove the old washer or O-ring from the faucet stem.
5. Apply a small amount of plumber’s grease to the new washer or O-ring.
6. Insert the new washer or O-ring onto the faucet stem.
7. Reattach the faucet handle to the faucet stem.
8. Turn on the water supply to the faucet and test the faucet to make sure the leak is fixed.

Dripping from the spout

If the spout is dripping, the problem is likely a worn-out washer or O-ring. To fix this, you will need to remove the spout and replace the washer or O-ring.

To remove the spout, you will need to:

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet.
2. Remove the screws that hold the spout in place.
3. Pull the spout off of the faucet body.
4. Remove the old washer or O-ring from the spout.
5. Apply a small amount of plumber’s grease to the new washer or O-ring.
6. Insert the new washer or O-ring onto the spout.
7. Reattach the spout to the faucet body.
8. Turn on the water supply to the faucet and test the faucet to make sure the leak is fixed.

Dripping from the shower head

If the shower head is dripping, the problem is likely a worn-out washer or O-ring. To fix this, you will need to remove the shower head and replace the washer or O-ring.

To remove the shower head, you will need to:

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet.
2. Remove the screws that hold the shower head in place.
3. Pull the shower head off of the shower arm.
4. Remove the old washer or O-ring from the shower head.
5. Apply a small amount of plumber’s grease to the new washer or O-ring.
6. Insert the new washer or O-ring onto the shower head.
7. Reattach the shower head to the shower arm.
8. Turn on the water supply to the faucet and test the faucet to make sure the leak is fixed.

Dripping from behind the wall

If the leak is coming from behind the wall, you will need to remove the wall panel to access the faucet. Once you have access to the faucet, you can identify and fix the source of the leak.

To remove the wall panel, you will need to:

1. Find the screws that hold the wall panel in place.
2. Remove the screws and carefully remove the wall panel.
3. Inspect the faucet for leaks.
4. Fix the source of the leak.
5. Reattach the wall panel.

Gathering the Tools and Materials You Need

To repair a leaking Delta shower faucet, you will need the following tools and materials:

  • Adjustable wrench
  • Pliers
  • Penetrating oil
  • Replacement washers and O-rings
  • New faucet handle (if needed)
  • New shower head (if needed)

Instructions for Repairing a Leaking Delta Shower Faucet

Once you have identified the source of the leak, you can follow these instructions to repair it:

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet.
2. Remove the shower head.
3. Inspect the

Step-by-step Instructions for Repairing the Leak

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet.

To do this, find the shut-off valve for the faucet and turn it clockwise until it is completely closed. This will stop the flow of water to the faucet and prevent any further damage.

2. Remove the faucet handle (if needed).

Some Delta shower faucets have a removable handle. If yours does, you will need to remove it in order to access the faucet internals. To do this, simply unscrew the setscrews that hold the handle in place. Once the setscrews are removed, the handle should come off easily.

3. Inspect the faucet for damaged or worn parts.

Once you have access to the faucet internals, you will need to inspect them for any damage or wear. Look for cracks, leaks, or other signs of damage. If you find any damaged or worn parts, you will need to replace them before you can repair the leak.

4. Replace the damaged or worn parts.

To replace a damaged or worn part, simply remove the old part and install the new one. Be sure to use the correct size and type of part.

5. Reassemble the faucet.

Once you have replaced all of the damaged or worn parts, you can reassemble the faucet. Be sure to tighten all of the screws and nuts securely.

6. Turn on the water supply to the faucet and test for leaks.

Once the faucet is reassembled, turn on the water supply and test for leaks. If there are no leaks, you have successfully repaired the leak.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you can’t identify the source of the leak, call a professional plumber.

If you can’t fix the leak yourself, call a professional plumber.

If the leak is coming from behind the wall, you may need to remove the wall panel to access the faucet.

How do I identify a leaking Delta shower faucet?

There are a few signs that can indicate a leaking Delta shower faucet. These include:

  • Water dripping from the faucet handle or spout
  • Water pooling around the base of the faucet
  • A whistling or gurgling noise coming from the faucet
  • A higher than normal water bill

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to have the faucet repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

How do I repair a leaking Delta shower faucet?

To repair a leaking Delta shower faucet, you will need the following tools:

  • A screwdriver
  • A wrench
  • A pair of pliers
  • A replacement O-ring
  • A sealant

Step 1: Turn off the water supply to the faucet.

The first step is to turn off the water supply to the faucet. This can usually be done by turning the shut-off valve located behind the faucet.

Step 2: Remove the faucet handle.

Once the water supply is turned off, you can remove the faucet handle. To do this, locate the set screws on the back of the handle and use a screwdriver to loosen them. Once the set screws are loosened, you can carefully pry the handle off of the faucet.

Step 3: Remove the faucet stem.

With the handle removed, you can now remove the faucet stem. To do this, use a wrench to loosen the nut that secures the stem to the faucet body. Once the nut is loosened, you can carefully pull the stem out of the faucet.

Step 4: Replace the O-ring.

The next step is to replace the O-ring. The O-ring is a small rubber ring that seals the faucet stem to the faucet body. To replace the O-ring, carefully remove the old O-ring from the faucet stem. Then, apply a small amount of sealant to the new O-ring and carefully insert it into the faucet stem.

Step 5: Reassemble the faucet.

Once the O-ring is replaced, you can reassemble the faucet. To do this, first insert the faucet stem back into the faucet body. Then, replace the faucet handle and tighten the set screws. Finally, turn on the water supply to the faucet and check for leaks.

What are some common causes of leaking Delta shower faucets?

There are a few common causes of leaking Delta shower faucets. These include:

  • Worn-out O-rings
  • Loose faucet stems
  • Damaged faucet seats
  • Clogged faucet cartridges

Worn-out O-rings are the most common cause of leaking Delta shower faucets. The O-ring is a small rubber ring that seals the faucet stem to the faucet body. Over time, the O-ring can wear out and become brittle, which can lead to leaks.

Loose faucet stems can also cause leaks. The faucet stem is the part of the faucet that controls the flow of water. If the faucet stem is loose, it can allow water to leak out of the faucet.

Damaged faucet seats can also cause leaks. The faucet seat is the part of the faucet that seals the faucet stem to the faucet body. If the faucet seat is damaged, it can allow water to leak out of the faucet.

Clogged faucet cartridges can also cause leaks. The faucet cartridge is the part of the faucet that controls the flow of water. If the faucet cartridge is clogged, it can restrict the flow of water and cause leaks.

How can I prevent my Delta shower faucet from leaking?

There are a few things you can do to prevent your Delta shower faucet from leaking. These include:

  • Regularly inspect your faucet for leaks. Check your faucet for leaks every few months. If you see any leaks, have them repaired immediately.
  • Use high-quality faucet parts. When you replace your faucet parts, use high-quality parts. This will help to prevent leaks in the future.
  • Install a water softener. A water softener can help to prevent hard water buildup, which can damage faucet parts and cause leaks.
  • Maintain your faucet properly. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining your faucet. This will help to keep your faucet in good working order and prevent leaks.

By following these tips, you can help to prevent your Delta shower faucet from leaking.

In this blog post, we have discussed how to repair a leaking Delta shower faucet. We have provided step-by-step instructions on how to identify the source of the leak, remove the faucet handle and cartridge, and replace the O-ring. We have also provided tips on how to prevent future leaks.

We hope that this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.

Author Profile

Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell is the owner of toiletty.com. She is a mom of two and is very passionate about home improvement.

Liana has ten years of home improvement experience, and in her own words, she said: “I love improving the home, and I’m very passionate about keeping the home in the best possible condition. I love it!”

Liana Farrell balances beauty and functionality when she goes about her home improvement jobs.