Quick Answer:
If your shower began dripping after a repair, first remove the showerhead to check for grit, then briefly flush the valve into a bucket to clear debris. If the drip continues after flushing, the cartridge or valve seat may be scored or damaged and likely needs repair or replacement.
Why This Happens
When a plumber works on nearby pipes or replaces a valve, small bits of solder, pipe dope, mineral grit or metal shavings can get carried into the valve body. Those particles can lodge in screens, block passages, or become trapped between the cartridge and the valve seat. Even small grit can prevent the sealing surfaces from closing fully, causing a steady drip. In some cases the sealing surfaces themselves are scratched or pitted during the event, which means flushing won’t restore a perfect seal.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1. Turn off water and prepare
- Shut off the shower or the home’s water supply if needed. Have a small bucket, an adjustable wrench, a soft cloth, and a flashlight ready.
- Wear gloves and lay down a towel to protect finishes and catch small parts.
2. Remove and inspect the showerhead and aerator screens
- Unscrew the showerhead and look at the inlet screen and the head’s internal filter. Grit or metal flakes are often visible here.
- Clean the screen with water and a soft brush. If you find grit, rinse the showerhead and screen thoroughly before reinstalling.
3. Flush the valve into a bucket
- With the showerhead off, briefly open the valve to let water flush directly into a bucket. This helps push any loose debris out of the valve body instead of letting it trap at the seat or cartridge.
- Run a short, controlled burst — about 5–10 seconds — and observe the flow. If grit appears in the bucket, repeat until the water runs clear.
4. Re-test for the drip
- Reinstall the cleaned showerhead and slowly restore water. Check whether the drip persists.
- If the drip is gone, monitor for a day or two to be sure no hidden debris remains.
5. If the drip continues
- If flushing doesn’t stop the drip, the cartridge, seat, or seals may be permanently damaged. Repeated debris contact can score sealing surfaces so they won’t seat properly.
- At this point consider replacing the cartridge or having a plumber inspect the valve seat and cartridge mating surfaces.
What Not to Do
- Don’t ignore post-repair drips — debris can score seats quickly and a small drip can worsen into a larger leak.
- Don’t try to force or hammer parts into place if you can’t get a proper seal; that can make damage worse.
- If flushing doesn’t help, a plumber is appropriate — don’t keep running the valve hoping it will fix itself.
When to Call a Professional
- Call a plumber if flushing and cleaning don’t stop the drip.
- Call if you see visible scoring or pitting on the cartridge or seat, or if you can’t access the cartridge without specialized tools.
- Also call if the repair work was recent and you prefer the original installer to verify their work and correct any problem.
Safety Notes
- Turn off water supply before disassembling any plumbing to avoid flooding.
- Work gently with valve internals; many valves and cartridges are plastic and can break if over-tightened.
- If you are unsure how to remove a cartridge or access the seat without damaging trim, stop and contact a licensed plumber.
Common Homeowner Questions
- Will flushing always fix a post-repair drip?
Not always — flushing clears loose debris but won’t repair scored seats or damaged cartridges. - How long should I wait before calling a plumber?
If a quick inspection and flush don’t stop the drip, call a plumber the same day or next day to prevent further damage. - Can I reuse the old cartridge after cleaning?
If the cartridge shows scratches, leaks, or won’t seat perfectly after cleaning, replace it rather than reuse it.
For related troubleshooting, see Shower drips only at night and Dripping after installing new valve for additional scenarios and tips.
For more related articles, see the Dripping Showerhead After Shutoff hub.