One thing people forget: check the washer or O-ring inside the head too. If that’s cracked or missing, you’ll get spray going everywhere no matter how clean the holes are.
Yeah, those little washers get overlooked all the time. I swapped mine for a silicone one last year—no leaks since. Also, if you’re replacing the shower head, try to pick one labeled “WaterSense.” Uses less water, but still has good pressure. Cuts down on your bill and helps conserve, which is always a plus in my book.
try to pick one labeled “WaterSense.” Uses less water, but still has good pressure.
I’ve had mixed luck with some low-flow heads—one I tried felt like a drizzle, but the WaterSense one I have now’s actually decent. Just curious, did you use plumber’s tape when you swapped yours? I’ve heard skipping it can cause leaks around the threads, even with a new washer.
Honestly, I wouldn’t skip plumber’s tape, even with a new washer. I’ve seen leaks show up days later if the threads aren’t sealed tight. One time I thought I could get away without it—ended up with water running down the pipe and a soggy ceiling tile. Not worth the risk, in my opinion.
I wouldn’t skip plumber’s tape, even with a new washer.
Yeah, I hear you. I used to think the new washers would do the trick on their own, but I’ve had a couple of those “mystery leaks” show up later too. Plumber’s tape is cheap insurance, honestly. Still, sometimes I wonder if it’s overkill for every single joint... but after patching up water stains in my basement, I’m not taking chances anymore.
- Can’t blame you for being cautious after dealing with water stains. Once you’ve had to rip out drywall or chase a leak behind a wall, that “overkill” starts to look pretty reasonable.
- Plumber’s tape (PTFE) is one of those things I always keep in my kit. It’s cheap, easy to use, and if it saves even one headache, it’s worth it. Even with new washers, there’s always a chance the threads aren’t perfect or the washer doesn’t seat quite right.
- That said, I get where you’re coming from—sometimes it does feel like overkill on every single joint. For low-pressure connections or spots that are easy to access, maybe you can get away without it... but anywhere hidden or under pressure? I’d rather be safe than sorry.
- Had a call last month where someone skipped the tape on a shower arm because “it was just hand-tight.” Ended up with water running down inside the wall cavity for weeks before anyone noticed. Not fun.
- If your shower’s spraying everywhere but down, check for mineral buildup or a cracked washer too. Sometimes the spray pattern gets weird when there’s gunk clogging up the head or if the internal parts are worn out.
- Quick tip: When you do use tape, don’t go crazy—two or three wraps is plenty. Too much and you can actually cause leaks by preventing the threads from seating properly.
You’re not alone in playing it safe after a bad experience. Water damage is sneaky and expensive... I’d rather spend an extra minute with the tape than hours fixing something later.