How to Fix a Leaking Shower

A shower leak isn't always where the water shows up. The four suspects are the arm, valve, drain, and pan.

Common causes

• Cracked shower arm at the wall connection
• Failed cartridge behind the valve trim
• Cracked or unsealed shower drain body
• Failed pan liner under the tile

Step-by-step

1. 01Run only the head — leak on the wall side = arm or valve
2. 02Plug the drain and fill the pan an inch — leak below = pan or drain
3. 03Feel the ceiling under the shower after a full run
4. 04Isolate suspect: arm → valve → drain → pan, in that order

When to call Northbridge

• Leak is coming through a ceiling below
• Pan liner is suspected — this is a full tile-out job
• Valve leaks behind the wall
• Water damage is spreading to adjacent rooms