Skip to main content
True Value
Project

Restore Water and Check for Leaks — Test for Leaks and Final Checks

Beginner2 hours

Part of project

How to Replace a Delta Shower Faucet: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide · Step 5 of 5

Helpful?

In this video

Slowly turn the shut-off valves back on to restore water pressure to the system. Once the water is on, take a dry towel and wipe all the joints and connections you worked on. Carefully feel around each joint with your hand to check for any drips or moisture, which would indicate a leak. After waiting about 20 minutes, perform a final check.

Goal: Test the repair and ensure it is watertight

  • Open the valves slowly to allow the pipes to fill gradually, which helps prevent water hammer.
  • A final check after 20-30 minutes is a good practice to catch very slow drips that may not be immediately obvious.

Used in this video

  • Towel (Tool Type: Cleaning) — Drying the pipes and fittings to make it easier to spot new leaks.
9.2K views415 minutes
This Old House

2.2M subscribers

View Channel

FAQs

How do I turn off the water to my shower if I can't find a dedicated shut-off valve?

First, locate the main water shut-off valve for your entire house, usually near the water meter or where the main line enters. Turn this valve clockwise until the water flow stops completely. If you live in an apartment or multi-unit building, you may need to contact your building's maintenance or management for assistance, as there might be a central shut-off.

What specific tools are most important to have on hand for removing the Delta handle and trim?

You'll definitely need a Phillips head screwdriver. Many Delta handles also use a small set screw, so having a set of Allen wrenches (hex keys) on hand, typically 1/8" or 3/32", is crucial. A flathead screwdriver can also be useful for gently prying off the trim plate, and a utility knife might help score old caulk.

My new Delta trim is installed, but I'm getting a small drip from the showerhead or around the handle. What should I check?

Ensure all screws, especially those securing the escutcheon plate and handle, are tightened firmly but not overtightened. For drips from the showerhead, verify that any new rubber gaskets or O-rings are properly seated and not pinched. Sometimes, a slight adjustment to the trim or confirming the cartridge (if replaced) is fully engaged can resolve minor leaks.

The project summary mentions taking photos during removal. Why is this important, and what should I focus on?

Taking photos is crucial for beginners to remember the exact order and orientation of parts, especially for the handle and trim components, which can have specific alignments. Focus on capturing screw locations, how parts are layered, and the positions of gaskets or washers. These photos serve as a valuable reference during reassembly to ensure everything goes back correctly.

Transcript
Hide

We're going to go through and check our other lines, those are tight, and then the last thing we're going to do, is we're going to come back to our gait valves, we're going to turn these on and see, I'm going to have some pressure, I'm not going to turn these on all the way until it opens it up. So we're going to go back through all of these spots, dry everything up here, with the towel, and then we're going to come back down and make sure nothing's leaking. Now that we're done, the last thing we're going to do is we're just going to come through here, and anywhere we worked, we're just going to run our hand under there, make sure that there's no leaks, we've waited about 20 minutes now, and I'm just coming through on the undersides, no moisture, we're just going to go through all the area that we just worked, and there's no drips, and that's all there is to it, it takes 30 minutes with

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.