Mira Shower Dripping? Here's Why

And we're back with another edition of Why Isn't My Stuff Working? Today's talk is going to consist of why exactly your Mira shower is dripping - don't worry, it's likely not anything too serious. This process is a lot of trial and error, though, so be prepared to try a few of the steps listed below before finding success. Trust me - I know how annoying that little background dripdripdrip can be, so I'm right next to you in wanting it solved.

The most common causes of a Mira shower dripping are a dirty shower head, worn seal or O-ring, or failed PTFE Teflon plumber's tape. Don't worry - these are all pretty simple fixes.

There's one more less likely cause, but you'll just have to keep reading to find out what that one is. Don't worry - this will be quick.

Read Next: Mira Sport shower problems? Here's why.

The Costs of Ignoring Drips

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While you may think that this is a small problem that can be left for another day, let me caution you against passivity. I'm going to assume that you pay for the water you use. (If not, where do you live? I'd love to move...)

Let's talk about what can happen if a small drip is left ignored:

• Assuming you have a slow drip, you're looking at up to 115 litres of water wasted every month.

• A fast drip can cost you up to 450 litres of water per month . That's a lot of wasted money and water.
• Water damage can occur if drips are left unattended

• Not only is water damage unsightly, but it's expensive . Minor water damage can run as much as £1,500 - and that's being optimistic. Seriously - don't ignore your dripping shower.
• Sanity

• Now, this can't really be measure as well as the above things, but sanity is quite valuable. If you're working from home (like many of us after the pandemic), you do not want a constant drip in the background - trust me here, it's not worth the mental toll to avoid fixing the issue.

Dripping Shower: Basics

Let's start with what can cause these issues before we move onto how to fix them, yeah? There's no way to solve an issue if you don't know what's causing it. And on the plus side, you get to learn a bit about showers today!

READ NEXT: How to fix a cracked shower tray.

Top Causes

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The most common causes (as discussed above) for a dripping shower are the following:

• Failed PTFE

• This is the Teflon tape that's used to secure threading in plumbing. Each time you remove your showerhead, you're supposed to replace the PTFE. (Though this gets forgone more often than not by DIY amateurs.)
• Failed O-ring or seal

• This is a super common issue in plumbing. Rubber seals warp, crack, and fail with time, just like most other things in life. That's okay, though, because they're cheap and quite simple to replace.
• Showerhead

• Surprisingly, just as a dirty showerhead can cause poor water pressure, it can also cause drips. The solution to this, luckily, is quite easy - clean your showerhead, and replace it if needed.

The Fix

Let's get that drip solved, yeah? You're going to be doing a few things here, so be sure to read through this list before you get started. You'll likely need a new seal or O-ring along with some cleaning supplies for the showerhead. Now, here's what to do:

1. Turn off your water at the main. You don't want to get soaked while doing this. (At least I hope not.)
2. Remove your showerhead and give it a clean. Hop on over to this link to see how to clean your showerhead. You'll want vinegar (cheap white vinegar works), baking soda, and a paperclip.
3. Inspect your seals and O-rings. If they're warped, cracked, or clearly failed, replace them.
4. Before reattaching your showerhead, liberally apply PTFE plumber's Teflon tape around the threading. You want at least ten full rotations that fully cover the threading of the shaft. Screw the showerhead over this tape as normal.
5. Test your shower by reattaching and turning it on.

If you had a failed O-ring or seal, dirty showerhead, or old PTFE, this will have solved the issue. If not, there are a few other things to check.

The Valve(s)

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Now it's time to inspect the water valves of your shower. Depending on how it's set up, you may have one or two valves. You'll find either a single valve attached to the shower or two separate ones for hot and cold, usually near your boiler.

First things first, inspect it to make sure it's fully open. If your water supply is still off, turn it back on for this - you need to see what the cause is. Begin by opening both valves fully and letting your water run. Look at where the drip is coming from - is it the showerhead, or at the spigot?

Now, do the same thing again, but with only one valve open - hot or cold, doesn't matter. Repeat this again with the opposite valve open. If the drip stops when one is closed, that valve is the source of your problem. If not, it's time to call a professional.

Final Thoughts

Not only can a dripping shower waste hundreds of litres of water a month, but it can be outright expensive. Temporarily ignoring the wasted water, you also have to worry about water damage if the problem is left ignored. And then there's the mental toll of having to hear a constant drip...drip...drip... as you live in constant anticipation of the next drip. Luckily, there are a few potential solutions that are quite easy and cheap to perform.

Begin by removing and cleaning your showerhead (with the water off) using vinegar and baking soda. This will remove any mineral deposits and limescale, hopefully resolving the issue. While you're at it, take a look at the seals and O-rings in your showerhead. Any that are warped, cracked, or clearly failing should be replaced, along with the PTFE tape along your shower's spigot threading. Should that not resolve the issue, test your hot and cold water valves. If that's not the source, it's time for the professionals to take a look.