If you have a shower head that leaks when it’s not in use or shoots out water in strange directions, it’s probably because some of its internal elements have become defective and need to be replaced. Fortunately, this is an easy problem to fix without the aid of a plumber. Here’s what to do.


1. Remove the shower head: You may have to use a wrench to loosen the nut that connects that shower head to the pipe. Some shower heads can be removed by hand simply by twisting.

2. Check the gasket: Take out the black rubber gasket (a black ring of rubber) inside of the shower head and look closely at it. If it seems be falling apart or leaves a black residue on your fingers, then it needs to be replaced. These gaskets can be bought for pennies at the hardware store, but make sure you get the right size. Whether you’re putting the old one back in or replacing it with a new one, push it back into the shower head firmly and make sure it lays flat.

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