How to Fix a Loose Shower Tap And Cartridge
A loose shower tap can be frustrating, wasteful, and dangerous. This can waste a lot of water and increase your water bill. It can also lead to mould and mildew problems in your bathroom. If you have a loose shower tap, it is important to fix it as soon as possible. Luckily, there is an easy fix for a loose shower tap.
As part of your Tenancy agreement, you are required to undertake minor repairs and maintenance to the property and this includes fixing and tightening a loose shower tap. As a tenant, you may think that learning to fix shower taps seems like too big a task but in fact, it only takes a short while. Of course, you can call a contractor to do it but this will likely cost £80 upwards.
While shower taps can come in different brands and configurations, the video and the guide below present general steps that will give you an idea of what the process is for fixing and tightening your shower taps and cartridges.
What You'll Need
To fix a loose shower tap, you will need a 2.5 mm hex key and a Phillips screwdriver. You may also need some replacement washers or o-rings.
Steps To Fixing And Tightening Your Shower Tap And Cartridge
- Cover the shower drain with a rag to prevent small parts from falling down the drain.
- Use the hex key to remove the shower handle.
- Check the polymer shower tap control valve and central set screw if they are loose. These are the most common causes of loose shower taps.
- Tighten the central set screw but do not overtighten it (be careful not to strip the handle screws). Check the polymer shower tap control valve if it is still loose by trying to wiggle it with your fingers.
If the valve is still loose, proceed to Step 5. If the cover is tight, skip to Step 10.
- If the valve is still loose, remove it by unscrewing it with your fingers or with a Phillips screwdriver (if needed). Be careful not to strip the screws.
Once you have removed the cover, pull out the shower cartridge carefully. The cartridge corresponds to hot and cold water pipes, so be careful of the placements as you remove the cartridge.
- Check for degraded washers or o-rings and replace them if necessary. To replace a washer or an o-ring, simply unscrew it from its housing and put in a new one. Make sure that you match the size and shape of the old washer or o-ring.
- Return the shower cartridge and the polymer shower tap control valve to their exact position, following the correct alignment for hot and cold water settings. The hot water pipe is usually on the left side, while the cold water pipe is on the right side.
- Screw in the cover but do not overtighten it. Once you have replaced the cover, try wiggling it with your fingers to make sure that it is tight enough.
- Replace the shower tap handle and check for looseness by trying to wiggle it with your fingers. If the handle feels wobbly, repeat Steps 3- 9 until it is tight enough.
- Your shower tap should now be tightened and working properly.
A Loose Shower Tap Can Be Pricey, But Fortunately, Easy To Fix
Follow these simple steps and your problem with a loose shower tap will be solved in short order. By taking care of a small issue before it becomes a bigger one, you are saving on water, keeping your bath and shower nice and dry, and helping extend the life of your shower tap.
If you find that fixing and tightening your shower tap has not been successful, please contact us on 01522503717 and we will be able to send out a contractor. However, be sure to do everything you can before calling it in because if the repair needed falls under your responsibility as a tenant then you will be charged for the work.
Reminder That You May Be Charged - Where our contractor has arranged a time with you to attend and you postpone, cancel, or don't show up or where it is your fault for the appointment not proceeding you will be responsible for paying the call-out charge for the contractor and potentially any restocking fee for parts. Where the fault, issue or damage, is put down to your or other tenants, permitted occupiers, or guests' actions, you will be responsible for paying for the repair. These terms are already part of your Tenancy Agreement.