How to fix a dripping shower head with a single handle at no cost or low cost.
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- In this video I will demonstrate how to fix a dripping shower head with a single handle at no cost or low cost. It is not difficult to fix a leaking shower head. Our Delta single handle shower head had started to leak (drip). This was becoming quite annoying. This simple no cost fix remedied the problem. I will explain different options for fixing this drippy problem.
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Wayne
Sir, I will rate you as one of the best DIY instructors I have ever known. You are very thorough, patient, plus your approach to teaching is so elementary, even the dumbest person will understand the most technically difficult project. I am glad that I ran into you today. Thank you sir. You are one of the best there is.
Thank you for the very kind comment. I try to keep it as simple as I can, so the people with no experience can accomplish the task. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
Thankyou, I enjoy DIYS, having no plumber or anyone around to help figured I’d just do it myself, watched a few, but came across you, and you are easy to watch n walked me right through, going to try the small fix n see if I can solve leaking n having to go all way down in basement twice whenever I want to shower, and hopefully save money.
Next project it to work out how to repair me kitchen one handle facet w exact same problem, hopefully it had same system.
Cheers
Oops new to this, meant to put this on the main comment spot!
100% agree with this. Explains, gives tips and answers the questions we didn’t know we were going to have!
Man. This is why I freakin love UA-cam. I’ve been able to save so much money from videos just like this one.
I'm happy to help. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
Have to admit, I was skeptic that this would be the fix. Nevertheless, I followed your detailed instructions and to my surprise ... leaky shower head problem fixed! Cost me exactly $0 and saved me a trip to the hardware store. Thank you very much!
Glad it worked for you. That's what this channel is all about, saving you money. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
I'll add to boost the algorithm ratings. Detailed step by step instruction appreciated. The springs are that tiny detail most would miss. Calcium build-up also could be impacting the springs condition over time. Usually the Hot washer & spring affected most due to calcium concentration. So I have to have the Handle oriented to Cold all the time to stop the dripping shower head. I'll test this process out. I'm very sure this spring / washer inspection will solve the dripping.
This is exactly the assistance I needed. Took those little springs out and spread them out a bit and *presto* no leaking shower head. Thanks, Wayne! BTW, the replacement was $62 at my "big box" store!
Glad it helped! Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
New springs are cheaper than a new 60 dollar cartridge
Although I'm mechanically inclined and willing to take on most do-it-yourself projects, I enjoy watching how other people share their skills with others as this gentleman did.
Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
Helpful and heartwarming, what a great explanation from a helpful guy. The plumber quoted us $600 to replace the valve in order to stop the leaking and I thought there had to be a cheaper way to fix it.
You are correct. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
$600?? That is insane!
You're the best instructor I've seen on UA-cam, very informative and you're patience. 😊 Excellent video
Thank you for the very kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Thanks for a clear and simple fix sir😊
Glad I could help. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Excellent, Excellent video!!
Explained very simply. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
My handle has a screw on the end of the handle. Got it off, no issue. However, the handle seems to be calcified to the stem. I'm "trying " to loosen it with CLR. I'm spraying it constantly. Sooner or later, hopefully it'll come off. I've got the original instructions, so I know it comes straight off once it loosens up.
Good luck with your project, I hope the CLR works.
Thanks Wayne this hack is just what I needed. My sister remodled her shower and got new tile installed. Even though the shower was working fine she asked me to put new "O" rings (She didn't tell me but she had bought Generic substitutes) for her Delta. The new ones weren't as flexible as the ones you showed in your video. Guess what? After changing them the shower had a small drip every 10 minutes or so. Hmm, It wasn't leaking before I put in the new outside O rings and springs on. Sooo I removed the valve and replaced the original ones added a little silicone grease and like magic no more dripping. I didn't even have to spread the spings. Like my Dad always said, "if it works don't fix it." and " If you need help find someone that really knows how to do it." Thanks for being that guy. This was so helpful. You are one of the good guys!
Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Greetings,
I tried your recommendation and the leak is gone!
The fix didn't cost me a single cent!
Thank you very much for this guidance.
You are very welcome and thank you for visiting, have a great day.
This video was very helpful. First, I tried to go the easy route and just put in a new cartridge. After I installed the new cartridge the shower leak got worse. So I pulled it back out, this time I took some fine grit sandpaper and cleaned up the inside of the valve body, I put some silicone lube on the o rings and stretched the springs about an eighth inch. The new cartridge popped in much more easily and after the shower head stopped draining, no more dripping! Thanks for the idea with the springs!
You are very welcome and thank you for visiting, have a great day.
I used your tips today, fixed my leaking shower AND saved money! Thanks so much for your video, you successfully walked this newbie through the entire process. 😊
That's great. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Mr. Wayne! I am thrilled I found your video. I feel so confident now. Your explanations and instruction are so clear and 100% understandable. I truly appreciate this. I'm about to tackle this annoying leaking shower I have. I knew it's from the cartidge but was afraid to open it up and not inow what to do. You have shown the way in your organized and step by step instructions. Thank you. Wish me luck.
Good luck and thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Thanks fixed dripping shower head! Your video was perfect. Put sharpie mark on top on faucet head so knew which way to put back. Great video!!
Glad it helped! Thanks for the tip. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Hi Wayne, I just wanted to let you know that this video gave me the confidence to fix my shower. Thank you so much for sharing!
You are so welcome! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Absolutely brilliant video. Saved me $65. You are a brilliant communicator.
Wow, thanks! We always enjoy hearing when we accomplish our goal of helping people save money! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Best do it yourself video I believe I've seen. You explain everything to a T I'm a subscriber now very good 👍 video.
Awesome, thank you! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Are you a teacher by profession? You break this down like you’ve been breaking complicated concepts down for years so that anyone can understand and learn them. 😊
Thanks for this. I hope it works for ours!
No, but I do enjoy teaching. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Great, Great video and instructions. Worked like a charm 🙏🙏
Glad it helped! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Hi Wayne. I enjoyed your vid. One suggestion though. When re-stalling the cartridge, you will want to use silicon on the rubber o rings. So that the next time it will come off easier, I also use a little on the threads of the brass keeper as well ... then HAND tighten only. Don't use channel locks. The water pressure will keep it secure.
Thank you for your suggestion and for visiting our channel. We hope you have a great day.
Very informative. Thank you so much for making and sharing this video
You are very welcome and thank you for visiting, have a great day.
Fantastic Video! The information you shared and the Instructions you gave were extremely helpful! Following you from now on. Thank you so much!😊🎉💙👍
Awesome, thank you! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Thanks! This is exactly what I had to do to fix my leaky shower!!!
Glad I could help. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
I love your video and mine is a Moen also and it was exactly as you showed and I tried the spreading of the springs and I believe the issue is fixed! Thank you so much and this was my first cartridge replacement. So easy! 😃
Wonderful! Glad you found it helpful. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Perfect! You explained it exactly how it should be. With me being a simpleton I needed your instructions. Nice job!
Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Worked for me, even after having "plumber" look at the issue! SMH! Great video! Thanks Wayne!
Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
We did it!! You have such a great way of explaining and demonstrating. Thank you!! We did not have needle nose pliers, so we used two dimes (one inserted near each end of the spring) as handles which helped us spread the springs apart. We also took this opportunity to change the shower head to one with a hand-held wand, so I am wondering if the wand has to completely fill up drip-by-drip to show if it's still leaking? I guess, we shall see, but so far so good!
Thank you for the very kind comment. It could take some time to be sure if it is fixed but it sounds to me like you have a very good chance that it is fixed. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
Thanks, Wayne. GREAT tutorial!
Glad I could help. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Thank you so much! I ended up having to replace the whole inside part but it worked like a charm! Much appreciated! 😊
You're welcome! Glad you found it helpful. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
fab. and I love your accent.
Excellent job! Thank you very much!!!
You are very welcome and thank you for visiting, have a great day.
I love the video, and it makes fixing it look easy. However…I been at Ace hardware all day, and they don’t have any wurshers.
awesome video! I am currently doing a tile job and the shower head is leaky, not much but since there is no spout its got to be getting past the cartridge. This instruction was exactly what i needed to figure out if i can fix it myself or replace the whole thing. Thanks!
Glad I could help! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Thanks for this video. Exactly what I needed.
You're welcome! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Great video all the commentary and tips appreciated.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
I have exact problem. Thank u for your video.
You are very welcome and thank you for visiting, have a great day.
great video. i don't know yet whether i can remove parts and access the stops on my valve without having to shut off all the water to the house. i always thought there should be valves in the tub area just as there are in the bathroom and kitchen sinks. i think Delta should provide its own video.
I have never had valves on a bathtub/shower, but it would be a good addition. You will need to shut off the water to the shower to make this repair. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
@@DIYwithWaynethank you. i will have to call Delta again and ask them what these stops are for if not to make it unnecessary to shut off water to the whole house in order to work on the shower.
Good show thanks.
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Fixed for free. Thank you!
Glad I could help. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Great explanation!
Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Thank you. Great breakdown. 👍
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Great video. Perfect information. Thanks so much.
You are very welcome and thank you for visiting, have a great day.
Amazing video Wayne! Keep it up 👍🏽
Thank you 🙌Nina! I always look forward to hearing from you. Hope you are doing well. Thank you for your continued support.
Thanks. Hope my shower is like this. Great video. Very easy to follow.
You are very welcome and thank you for visiting, have a great day.
Great video with demonstration and explaining everything. It would be nice to know the name of the cartridge or part items needed for someone like me that need to go out and buy this. 😂😂
I understand but we did not replace the cartridge. I would suggest taking the old part with you to get a replacement. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
YOU ARE AWESOME! Thanks! I think you just saved me $50.
Glad I could help. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Great video. I'll be tackling this in the morning. Thank you
Good luck with your project. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
@@DIYwithWayne spreading the springs slowed it down enough for me to get to the hardware store and get the spring and seal kit for 3 bucks. Thanks again
You're welcome! Glad to help.
Thanks. Very helpful.
Glad I could help. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Did this today for a faucet that was dripping like it was left open. It works.
Good job. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
Thanks Wayne!
You're welcome. Hope you found it helpful. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
I love this video, but what would you suggest to do about a stuck set screw? I’m using a 3/32 Allen wrench, which is a great fit, but won’t budge. I tried WD40, and even let it soak overnight. Any help would be appreciated!
All I can say is keep trying. I have has set screws stuck so bad they never came out. Sorry for the bad news but it can happen. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
Very good
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Great video….thanks!!
Glad I could help. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Well-done.
Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Great video! Thank you.
You are welcome! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Thanks so much!!! You are awesome!!!
Glad it helped! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Very helpful
Glad you think so! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Very helpful, great
Glad I could help. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
nice job
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Excellent, Thankyou ... !
You are welcome! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
thank you. you saved me from calling a plumber.(i just replaced the whole assembly
So happy to help! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
Wayne, I tried to unscrew the handle using the Hex key but ran into problem. I notices that the soap scum built around the Hex screw. I tried using vinegar and baking soda to dissolve it but failed. Any advise to unscrew the handle? BTW, I enjoyed watching your video very simple and straight forward
Try picking the soap scum out with a pick of some kind. Ice pick, paper clip, pointed knife or something like that. Removing the setscrew is the only way to make the repair. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
Thank you sir for the video...
You're welcome! Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
Hi Wayne great video! So my Delta tub spout is leaking a bit but not the shower head. Do you think your method could also stop the tub spout leaking? Or is it something else? Thank you for your time!
I'm not sure if yours is the same but I did a repair like that some time back. This may help you fix yours. ua-cam.com/video/BqbAPRQ298M/v-deo.html Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
Thanks but that is not what’s happening. The diverter and shower work fine. It’s just the tub spout has a slight leak when off like your shower head did in this video. Do you think this same process here in this video may work?
I don't have what you have but it could be the spring as in the first video. If the handle does not shut off completely, that could be the drip. I would try the fix in the first video first. Good luck and I hope it works for you.
Hey thanks so got it fixed! Turns out one of the black rubber washers had a slight tear in it. So only had to spend 2 bucks for a set of new springs and washers. They wanted 100 bucks for the whole cartridge, glad I saw this video first or I would of likely not known where the real problem was. Thanks again!
Do you have links for those little black rubber things and springs ?
This link will take you to Amazon with options for parts. I would recommend Delta Brand Parts.
amzn.to/3uFfceg
Be sure to check the model of your faucet to get the correct parts.
...good one...
Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.
So, I guess I'm the only one who struggled mightily with this endeavor? Surprisingly, the retaining ring unscrewed without much of a fight; however, attempting to "wiggle" the cartridge out was a nightmare. It ultimately took two flathead screwdrivers, thirty minutes, and a bandaid for the self-inflicted wound from a slipped improvised pry bar to get it to move 1/8". Then with another 10 minutes of pulling and wiggling, the top half of the cartridge separated from the bottom half like a booster stage from the Saturn V rocket. More attempts to remove the bottom half were futile, so I just put the 2 new washers and springs in the stubborn piece and attempted to put it all back together. Doing the quarter turn reattachment was out of the question since the two triangular guides prevented the two pieces from coming together in the locking position and the O ring made it's final stand 1/8" from complete closure. I quit. I screwed the retaining ring on as tight as it would go and resigned myself to having added an additional leak to the project. Turned the water back on and no drips - perfect. Sir, you get full credit for this unqualified success story. Thank you.
LOL, It sounds like you deserve the credit! Good Job! Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
I bought a new valve/regulator because the hot water was diminishing. Now with the new valve, it is dripping. I'll take the new one out and spread the springs slightly. But, I shouldn't have to do anything to a new valve/regulator
You are correct, you should not need to fix a new valve. I would return it for another. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
We are using your video and lengthened the springs- but walking the cartridge back into place with force as you did- it is he devil to get back in! Any tips or tricks?
It may be tight but recheck that everything is going back correctly. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
Is there a way to adjust the handle so that you get more hot water and less or no cold water? Even when I turn it up all the way, the water comes out less hot then my hot water from the sink.
Most likely yes. There is an adjustment for that in the valve. In this video and at about 3 : 25 I go over that adjustment. ua-cam.com/video/8MehrZ3J2vQ/v-deo.html This is a kitchen faucet but the way you make the adjustment is the same. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
I put it back in and the water doesn’t shut off. It immediately starts on cold, and turn it to the right and the waters hot. The one thing that isn’t the same is that metal cylinder you slide in is loose. Before that it was tight or snug. You said you just slide it back in, so how does it get tight, since it’s not something you screw in? I checked my other shower and it’s tightly in. You can’t turn it, like I can with the one I put back together.
I can't be sure but you may have put the cartridge in the wrong way. Take it back out and check the orientation. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
@@DIYwithWayne it turned out there’s a rubber ring that wasn’t put in right to tighten it, however I still had the same problem. I didn’t explain that I tried to go cheap and just bought new springs with the little rubber rings. Since that didn’t work, I put in a new cartridge and it worked. No more leak, and it turns off and on. I guess the problem was inside the cartridge in my case. So I had to pay $60 plus tax, and I have to return the springs with rubber, which is about $5. Also I had to by a 3/32 L wrench, because I didn’t have that small of size. It came in a set for $4. Still saved a lot of money by not calling up a plumber.
Any recommendations for when the set screw gets stripped or is incredible difficult to take off?
That can be very difficult. There are screw extractors on the market and I have had some success with them. I have also had some that would not budge no matter what I did. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
Hi! When you remove the polished sleeve @ 1:43, there is a black rubber o-ring on the outside. What's the purpose of that? Unfortunately, I lost it.
It keeps the stainless steel cover in place. You should be able to get a new one at a hardware store. Good luck with your project and we hope you have a great day.
@@DIYwithWayne Thank you Sir! Huge respect for you!
Do you know how old the faucet is?
Ours is about 5 years old. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
Stretching the springs seemed to do the trick. When I replaced the washers it really didn’t help much. I think this design is defective.
Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
Gosh here is a question...I can't get the cartridge back in...ever had this? Any help would be appreciated!
Check that the inside part with the 2 cylinder parts are inserted well and all the O-rings are in the correct place and in good shape. If all this is correct, It should slide in. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
Wayne, what if you can't get the handle off?! I have loosened the screw with the Allen wrench. I can see the screw. But the handle won't come off. I'm afraid that I will break something.
Is the handle loose but just wont come off? If so, remove the setscrew and that may help. If it is still tight, you can try tapping it with a hammer. Being careful not to damage it. In the past I have had parts that just wont come apart because of corrosion. If this is the case, you may need to replace the assembly. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
@@DIYwithWayne the set screw? Is that the one on the wall? I haven't had time to work on it. Hopefully I can get to it in a few days.
this saved me 9-26-2024
That's great. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
I followed your instructions but replaced the springs and washers, and after a long hot afternoon of doing this, it leaks exactly the same. Now what?
You could try calling Delta. Most of their products have a lifetime warranty. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
My new shower keeps leaking a little bit after I close the water, do you think this is the problem?
If you have this type of handle, there is a good chance this video is the fix. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
After thinking about your question more, if your shower head drips for a minute or two, that is normal. If it keeps dripping all the time, this could be your problem.
Great tutorial, as the rubber washer was kind of hardened on my cartridge I end up buying the repair kit by $5 (Delta SKU# RP4993) to replace it. Thanks a bunch
You are very welcome and thank you for visiting, have a great day.
Cartridges are free under warranty from HD
Yes they are but sometimes you just want to be done and not wait on parts. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
I replaced that damn cartridge a week ago. Now it's leaking again!!!!!!
I'm overwhelmed
Go back to the video and stretch the spring a little and try again. Good luck with your project and have a great day.
I did this now my leak is worse 😑
In that case, I would recommend replacing the cartridge. Take it with you and go to a plumbing or big box hardware store and they can match it to a new one. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
I tried to fix mine. I tried to loosen that ring that holds the guts in. It was so tight that I broke the whole guts of everything 😮. $900 later it no longer leaks😂😂😂 and that happened yesterday.
Oh, My, so sorry to hear that. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.
@@DIYwithWayne I normally do everything around here. I have no luck with plumbing😦
Just keep trying. Like Elon Musk said, "It's not a failure, it's just more data". You always learn more when things go bad. Good Luck.
@@DIYwithWayne that's a fact
foken guy.. he's awesome
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Wayne ….. much appreciation for the useful information for the novice diy handy person. I am having trouble removing the handle on a Delta Monitor. Been trying to use various size L wrenches. Afraid of stripping the screw head. Difficult to see. Have cleared away lots of debris. What is the size of wrench.? Please Help…. Thank you!
Great video. Thanks
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