Should I Repair or Replace My Shower Faucet?

Assessing the Problem at Hand

The first step in the process is to accurately diagnose the issue with your shower faucet system. Once you find the source of the problem, you can then assess whether you’ll need to repair or replace it. Here’s some of the most common issues people encounter:

• Leaks: A shower faucet system can develop a leak in a number of places. First, you’ll need to determine where the leak is coming from. The most common places for leaks to spring up are where the showerhead connects to the shower arm (the pipe that comes out of the wall that you connect the showerhead to), the fixture itself (the components can develop cracks or become loose with wear), and where the shower faucet is connected to the pipes behind the wall. Check those first. 
• Water Pressure: Getting weak or inconsistent water pressure in the shower is a very common complaint. While it may not be immediately apparent what is causing the issue, it could simply be a problem with the showerhead. If the showerhead is old, or just hasn’t been cleaned in a while, it may be clogged or blocked by hard mineral build-up. Other potential issues could involve your water pressure regulator or your shower valve cartridge. Our tip: see if unclogging your showerhead resolves the issue before assuming the worst of your pipes, valve cartridge, or water pressure regulator – it could save you from a lot of unnecessary worry.
• Water Temperature: If the temperature of the water isn’t getting hot enough, the problem may exist within the shower faucet’s mixer valve. This valve mixes the hot and cold water to deliver your chosen water temperature. To determine whether the problem is your mixer valve or not, try testing the temperature of the water in your bathroom or kitchen sink. If the water temperature is what you had in mind when it comes out of other faucets, it is more than likely an issue with your shower system’s mixer valve. Our tip: take the temperature of the water from all the faucets in your home when they are turned to the hottest setting, and keep a record to track for consistency – you may have a problem with your water heater if the temperatures fluctuate often.
• Unpleasant Odor: If you notice an unpleasant smell emanating from the shower area, it could be a result of mold or mildew originating from a leak somewhere in the shower faucet system. Our tip: check whether the smell is actually coming from the drain or not before calling in mold removal services or knocking down any walls. This is a problem that may be easily addressed with a few treatments of a chemical drain cleaning solvent. 

It’s best to test whether the simplest solution will resolve the issue you’re experiencing before getting too worried, or taking any drastic DIY action. However, if you have tried those simple tricks and you’re still having trouble with your shower, you’ll need to take more comprehensive steps to try to repair the faucet, if that’s what you decide to do. 

Simple Repairs for the Problem Faucet

Before attempting any repairs yourself, it’s vital to properly gauge your personal DIY skill level. Recognizing whether you can successfully repair something yourself, versus when it’s time to hire a professional, can save you from making costly mistakes. 

• Repairing Leaks: If you have a leak in your shower, the first simple solution to try yourself is to start by cleaning the faucet thoroughly to improve visibility of any possible damage to the different components of the shower faucet. Then, carefully remove the showerhead and identify the O-ring (a small rubber ring situated between the showerhead and the hose). Replace the O-ring if it appears to be damaged or worn, and then re-tighten your showerhead to the shower arm. Turn on and off the water to see if it’s still leaking. 
• Fixing Weak Water Pressure: It’s best to check for blockages in the showerhead itself before you start worrying about things like bad pipes or faulty water pressure regulators. Over the course of a showerhead’s lifetime, it accumulates a hard build-up of minerals from the water. An easy fix for unsatisfactory water pressure could be simply cleaning the showerhead. To do this, mix together a 1:1 combination of water and white vinegar and put it in a water-tight plastic bag. Next, use a rubber band to attach the bag to the arm of the shower faucet, submerging the showerhead in the solution. Allow it to soak for at least one hour. Finally, remove the bag and scrub the showerhead thoroughly (we recommend a decommissioned toothbrush for this task). Turn on the water and see if the water flow and pressure has improved.
• Resolving Water Temperature Issues: A shower faucet’s shower mixer valve is difficult to reach and to repair if you’re not an adept DIY type or experienced plumber. We recommend calling a professional to handle any issues involving a shower faucet’s mixer valve. 
• Removing Unpleasant Odor: If you have already tried descaling your showerhead, resolving mold or mildew issues caused by leaks, and utilizing chemical drain cleaners, it may be time to call a professional mold removal company to ensure you aren’t dealing with unsafe levels of mold in your bathroom. 

When Replacement is the Better Option

When you’ve tried the tips listed above and none have made a difference, it’s time to move on to considering a replacement. The age of your shower faucet is an important factor to consider when deciding whether you need to repair or replace it. If your shower system is older and has several problems, it is likely worth the expense to invest in a new one. While shower faucets can develop small, easy-to-fix problems from time to time, there comes a point when the cost of repairing or replacing parts becomes more expensive than simply replacing the entire unit. If you need to replace your shower faucet altogether, it is best to call a professional plumber for assistance. *Don’t forget to read up on which finishes are currently trending!

 Whether you’re buying new or making repairs:

Pioneer’s accessible and easy-to-use website allows you to quickly and efficiently search for the parts you need, like water pressure regulators and shower mixer valves. You’ll also find detailed instructions and diagrams for each of our products (making it easier to DIY your repairs and installations). All this combined with the industry leading customer support provided by our team of professionals – you’re sure to be enjoying your showers again in no time!