I'm probably not using the right terminology or phrasing in my internet search for an answer so I'll see if live people have a better algorithim to answer my question -

If the shower faucet is leaking from the handle or shower/bath lever, does that also mean there's a problem behind the wall?

Sometimes, but most likely it is just the cartridge that is leaking. Replace that and you should be good then go.

Probably an issue with the shower cartridge, or the seal around the cartridge. Either way, chances are replacing the cartridge will solve your issue.

Replacing a shower cartridge is a fairly easy homeowner-level task, and is something that needs to be done every decade or two anyway. Lots of step-by-step Youtube videos available out there. Figure out the brand of your shower valve fixture (Delta/Moen/Kohler/etc.), then find a Youtube video for replacing the shower cartridge for that brand. Follow along with that to remove the cartridge, then take it with you to the hardware store to find an exact match, and then follow along to install the new one (basically the reverse of what you just did).

If you have hard water buildup inside the valve assembly that led to the leak (a common cause of cartridge leak issues), you may need to remove the minerals using something like CLR before installing the new cartridge.

Just don't forget to shut off the water supply to the shower if you have a cutoff just for that, or to the whole house if you don't.

If you have multiple showers, and the cartridges haven't been changed in a decade or more, you could go ahead and do the others while you're at it too. Especially if you're having to shut off the water to the whole house anyway. Or just hold off until the other one starts developing issues.

As part of your research online, source your parts if possible. At this point you may not know what model cartridge you need. But you can check the local HD/Lowes/Ace etc. to see if they even carry the brand. I went through something similar and became aware of a couple plumbing supply shops that carried different inventory.

Doing a few projects like this and you realize that you're paying a pro for more than the repair itself. Which would take about 30-45 minutes. With all that said, this is still a DIY fix and worth the time these days. Here in the DFW area, it would be an easy $300+ or more for a licensed plumber to fix. Depending on the unspoken zip code markup charge. They maximize the revenue on every call they take these days.

Good luck.
-TVz

Don't forget to buy a removal tool when you're there to buy a replacement cartridge.

That's not always necessary. I've never needed one, and have changed shower cartridges in 3 different houses. (But all have been Delta cartridges, so other manufacturers may be more prone to getting stuck.)

But yes, if the cartridge doesn't come out by hand because they're "glued" in place with mineral deposits, then a cartridge removal tool can help get it out.

As suggested, it's most likely the cartridge that is leaking. If it's leaking while in the off position it could very well be leaking a bit of water behind the wall. Removing the trim will usually show if this is the case.

As you might expect, every brand and model valve uses different cartridges each with their own degree of change-out difficulty. We used to have an older Delta. I didn't know the age of as it came with our house. It started leaking about 8 years after we moved in. It was a SOB to change complicated by having been in there a long time. lots of screws, washers and seals. When we remodeled a few years ago, it was replace with a Kohler. That valve is a breeze to change, with the most difficult thing being turning off the water at the street. That's not really difficult but the main valve at our house is usually covered with dirt that needs to be excavated to get at the shut off valve.

Good luck on the project. Even with the older valves this is still a homeowner job not requiring a plumber unless things go south on you. Lots of Youtube videos available.

It’s usually an o ring in the cartridge.
I can’t remember right now which brand it is..MOEN or Koehler, but one of them has a lifetime replacement. Once you get it out call the company and see if they will send you a new one free.

Heads up, I found an escutcheon had been “glued” on with silicone. It took longer to remove it w/o destroying the thing than the repair.

Moen has the life time replacement on everything. Just call them and they will send whatever you want no questions asked.

Everything in our house is Moen and they have been great to deal with. Our sink faucet had some finish corrosion after about 10 years and the faucet was no longer being made. What they offered was a replacement from 3-4 types that were comparable to what we had and charged a $25 exchange fee which I thought was more then fare but everything else has been free replacements on parts and shipping.

2 things:

Just went through this with a Kohler kitchen faucet, 2 years old. Still had the original paperwork (made the ID quick & simple) called Kohler, Lady said lifetime warranty, they sent the parts to me free of charge.

I’ve a couple friends who are pro plumbers. Both say the same thing: if you have a pro plumbing supply house near you, go there instead of the big box or hardware store, parts are usually of better quality.

Best wishes to you.
.

Be prepared for a shock at the price of a cartridge these days.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Be prepared for a shock at the price of a cartridge these days.

I just checked. That's around 2x what I paid the last time I replaced one ~5 years ago!

Lots of good thoughts above.

I built my house in 1987 doing all the plumbing ... and knew that shower/tub valves I had. About a year ago had a problem with one, but fortunate that I was remodeling both bathrooms and replacing the old Moen valves with new upgraded Delta.

If you find out that you have Moen valve (and know what model you need) , please let me know as I have both a new replacement valve and a removal tool that I will send you.

Also, how old is the valve you have now ?

This place is the best.

Good to know, or have high confidence, that the leak is not likely behind the wall.

I've looked and nowhere on the faucet is a brand name, just some symbol that looks kind of like a Christmas star, so I expect to replace it (and the two others) with new fixtures - especially as they were all installed in 1984.

And we do have a pro plumbing supply place in town. Thanks for the tip because I forgot and immediately figured on going to the two big box stores. Now that I've been reminded, Noland's is where I'll be going for whatever is needed.

Many thanks for the information and advice!

Could be a Moen. Single handle, pull out to turn on the water and turn left right for hot and cold?

Before you take it apart... good luck on finding the exact right replacement parts...

you need to do two things:

turn off both the hot and cold water to the faucet.

Cover the drain hole in the shower...or tub.

Ahh--I had to think about why you cover the drain--> so you don't lose anything down the drain.

As Blume said--turn off water supply. Remove handle and cover plate. Stuff a small towel into the space between the wall and the shower fixture--always some residual water from the pipe to the shower head. Take a picture of the orientation of the old cartridge--hot/cold orientation.
Replace cartridge.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
2 things:

Just went through this with a Kohler kitchen faucet, 2 years old. Still had the original paperwork (made the ID quick & simple) called Kohler, Lady said lifetime warranty, they sent the parts to me free of charge.

I’ve a couple friends who are pro plumbers. Both say the same thing: if you have a pro plumbing supply house near you, go there instead of the big box or hardware store, parts are usually of better quality.

Best wishes to you.
.

All of the major brands offer this same or very similar warranty. Call in, no receipt needed although they usually ask where you bought it. I've had complete faucets replaced N/C because of staining on the finish. No pictures or parts returned.

As to better parts at a supply house vs big box store, the contractor that did our bathroom remodel told me the same thing. Maybe not so on items like retail packaged repair parts, but he highly recommended a supply house for the complete fixtures. He had no financial interest in where we bought the fixtures.