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chicachicaj03
Oct 27, 2008, 10:59 AM
What does it mean when the pipe that holds shower head connected to wall is spewing lots of water when turned on ? I am a single mom on a very tight budget, is this something I can try to fix myself ? Please help:

TexasParent
Oct 27, 2008, 11:17 AM
Is it spewing water where the pipe and the shower head meet? If so, take the shower head off (you may need a wrench or some pliers) and see if the rubber washer is intact, if not take the old washer to Home Depot or local Hardware store and get a replacement.

This is the most likely cause for the leak, other than the fact that it may simply be that you don't have the shower head tightened enough to the pipe (they do come lose from time to time).

speedball1
Oct 27, 2008, 11:41 AM
What does it mean when the pipe that holds shower head connected to wall is spewing lots of water when turned on ? i am a single mom on a very tight budget, is this something i can try to fix myself ? please help:

This is the pipe,(shower arm) you say is leaking, (see image) tell me where it's leaking from. Shower spray heads do not have washers, they are threaded into one another. Tell me which end, (the wall or the shower head) and we'll repair it. Regards, Tom

afaroo
Oct 27, 2008, 04:18 PM
Hello Chicachica,

If your shower head is leaking where it conncts to the arm, here is what you need to do.
The shower heads comes with or with out the rubber washer, the shower head is designed to be hand tightened.
Clean the threads on the arm and use Teflon tape wrap it around the threads in a CLOCKWISE direction for several (4-5) turns, take your fingers and gently press the tape into the threads.
Screw the shower head onto the shower arm and hand tighten as tight as possible.
Turn the water back on at the faucet and check for leaks.
If the shower head leaks at the connection to the threaded shower arm, you need to tighten the connection some more and may need to carefully use a wrench. So as not to mar the finish on the shower head base (pipe nipple), use a heavy cloth, piece of leather or duct tape between the surface and the adjustable wrench. CAREFULLY tighten the connection slightly and be careful not to over tighten the joint. Repeat until there is no leak.
With the rubber washer install use the same procedure as above, but Don't use a wrench with these types of heads as you can force the washer up inside the shower arm.

If it is leaking at where the arm goes remove the arm use teflon tape install and tighten, Good luck.
John