What to Do When Your Shower Won’t Turn Off. A FL Plumber Explains.

February 19, 2019

Do you have a shower that won’t turn off? When water still comes out after you’ve closed your faucet, it’s usually a sign of an issue with the cartridge.

The cartridge is a device that stops the water and controls the amount of cold and/or hot water that comes out of the faucet. Over time, the cartridge wears out and needs to be replaced.

So, how do you fix a shower faucet that won’t turn off all the way?

Lucky for you, we’ve provided step-by-step directions on how to resolve this problem.

Before you begin working on the shower, make sure you have the following items:

Materials

Screwdriver
Vice Grip
Replacement Cartridge

Looking to skip these DIY steps and get immediate help from a Florida plumber? Our Clearwater team can help you.

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How To Shut Your Shower Faucet Off in 10 Easy Steps

Step 1. Shut off the water

Turn off your main water valve to be sure there’s no running water in your home.

Step 2. Double check that the water is shut off.

To make sure the water is off in the entire house, turn a faucet on.

Step 3. Close the drain.

To prevent screws and any other important parts from falling down the drain, close or cover the drain.

Step 4. Remove the handles.

You will see a small screw. Use a screwdriver to remove it.

Step 5. Remove the screw holding the cartridge and the turning plastic device.

You can do this with your screwdriver. Once these parts have been loosened, slide them off.

Step 6. Remove the clip that holds the cartridge.

Be sure not to throw this away. You will need it for your new cartridge. As a general rule of thumb, keep all the parts you remove in a safe area.

Step 7. Remove the cartridge.

Using a pair of vice grips, take out the cartridge. Be very careful here to avoid damaging the pipes inside. If you have trouble removing it, we suggest you stop at this point and call for service.

Step 8. Prepare to install the new cartridge.

The new cartridge comes with a special lube to put inside for smooth installation.

Step 9. Insert the new cartridge and reassemble the parts.

Make sure the hot and cold sections of the cartridge line up the same as when you removed it. Slide the cartridge in. Reassemble all the pieces as they were before you removed them. Screw them securely back in place.

Step 10. Turn water back on and test your shower.

Is the shower faucet turning on and off normally? Congratulations, you’ve fixed your shower. If you ran into some issues and need a plumber to complete this project, contact us to schedule service.

Contact Climate Design for Plumbing Service in Clearwater, FL

Home repairs can be frustrating! If you need a faucet repaired, be sure to contact the professionals at Climate Design today. Our team of experienced technicians will quickly diagnose and fix any plumbing issue.