Water usually leaks from a shower hose or its connections because a small rubber washer at one end has worn, split or gone missing, or because the hose itself has cracked inside its outer casing. Leaks can also come from the outlet on the shower valve or a loose connection on the riser rail or head.
Most of these leaks are small and easy to spot once you know where to look. Leaving them can still lead to wasted water and damp around the shower area.
Where Shower Hose Leaks Usually Start
Each end of a flexible shower hose has a nut with a washer inside. One end connects to the shower valve or bath mixer, the other to the shower head. When these washers age, they flatten and harden, and water can spray or drip from the joint.
The hose itself can fail too. Many hoses have a metal or plastic outer layer over a flexible inner tube. If the inner tube splits, water may escape along the hose, often appearing as a fine spray or a drip from somewhere in the middle.
Twisting the hose, hanging it at a sharp angle or letting it stretch as the head is moved can speed up wear.
Leaks From the Valve or Fixed Pipework
If water drips from the shower outlet or around the valve handles, the problem may be inside the valve, such as a worn cartridge or seal. This is different from a hose leak and needs a different repair.
Water appearing around the base of a riser rail, or from behind a shower valve, could point to a fixing or connection issue, or to water getting past the seal around the tray or bath. Water around a shower does not automatically mean the plumbing is leaking. Splashing, a worn shower screen seal or gaps in sealant can also let water out.
Checking What Is Happening
Dry the hose and connections, then run the shower with the head pointed into the tray or bath. Watch each end of the hose and run a dry tissue along its length.
If the water stops when the shower is off, the leak is likely in the hose or its washers. If it drips when everything is off, the valve may be letting water through.
Hand-tighten the hose nuts gently if they are loose, but avoid tools on chrome or plastic fittings. Do not take the shower valve apart, and do not open electric shower units, which need an appropriately qualified electrician.
Getting It Fixed
A worn washer or hose is often a straightforward replacement. A leaking valve may need a new cartridge or seal, depending on the make and model.
If you are not sure where your shower leak is coming from, our team can provide shower repair in Oxford, checking the hose, head, valve and connections and replacing the part that has failed.