Quick Answer:
If your shower began to drip after you installed a whole-house or point-of-use filter, don’t panic. Most times the cause is temporary: a change in water flow or small debris loosened during the install. First check the filter bypass and the showerhead for grit, then monitor water pressure and the drip rate for a day before making major changes.
Why This Happens
Installing a filter can change flow and pressure slightly while you open and close valves, or when the new unit seats into the line. That movement can dislodge mineral flakes, pipe scale, or small particles that then catch in a shower valve or spray holes. A small pressure change can also reveal a worn cartridge or valve seat that was already marginal.
If the drip seems to happen only after use, or if water keeps slowly running after you turn the controls off, note whether the leak is constant or tied to one side of the mixer. See the bolded notes later about common patterns like Showerhead drips after turned off and Dripping only on hot side.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1. Put the filter in bypass (if available)
- Confirm the filter is fully open or in bypass per the manufacturer instructions. Some installs leave a bypass partly closed, which changes pressure.
- If you don’t have a bypass, slightly open the nearest shutoff valves to restore normal flow only enough to test the shower.
2. Check the showerhead for debris
- Remove the showerhead or unscrew the spray face and look for grit or particles. Rinse the parts under a bucket or tap.
- Soak the face plate briefly in vinegar or clean water to clear mineral deposits, then reassemble and test.
3. Inspect the cartridge or valve
- If the shower drips through the handle, the internal cartridge or seat may have caught debris. Turn off the house water and remove the cartridge to inspect for particles.
- Clean gently with water; don’t force or file parts. If the cartridge shows heavy wear or scoring, plan to replace it.
4. Monitor pressure and drip rate over 24 hours
- After cleaning and returning the filter to normal operation, watch the shower for a day. Note whether the drip starts immediately after use, appears intermittently, or decreases with time.
- Record approximate drip frequency—drops per minute—and whether pressure feels lower, higher, or unchanged elsewhere in the house.
5. Narrow down hot vs cold
- Test the shower with only the hot water supply on, and then only the cold. If the problem is limited to one side, that helps identify a cartridge, valve seat, or supply-side issue.
What Not to Do
- Don’t adjust filter or pressure equipment blindly to fix a drip. Tweaking pressure regulators or bypass valves without understanding the system can cause bigger problems.
- Don’t use force on valve internals or file seats unless you know the part and replacement options—this can make a slow drip worse.
- Don’t assume the new filter is defective just because the drip started after install; follow the checks above first.
- If pressure changes triggered the drip or you’re unsure which valve to adjust, a plumber is appropriate instead of guessing at pressure controls.
When to Call a Professional
- You’ve cleaned the showerhead and inspected the cartridge but the drip persists or gets worse.
- The drip appears after you change filter settings and you’re unsure how to restore correct pressure safely.
- There are signs of internal valve damage, strong leaks when the valve is off, or you cannot access the cartridge without special tools.
Safety Notes
- Always shut off the correct supply valves before disassembling a shower valve. If you must shut off the house water, notify others first.
- Relieve system pressure by opening a faucet before removing parts to avoid spray or water damage.
- Use appropriate tools and avoid excessive force that can break plastic cartridges or brass fittings.
Common Homeowner Questions
- Will the drip stop on its own? Often it does if caused by loose debris, but monitor it for a day to be sure.
- Could the new filter damage the valve? Unlikely—more often the install unsettles particles or changes flow, exposing an existing weakness.
- Do I need to replace the cartridge now? Only if cleaning and flushing don’t stop the drip or the cartridge shows visible wear or damage.
For more related articles, see the Dripping Showerhead After Shutoff hub.