Fix Your Shower Handle That Won't Turn On

It's always frustrating when your shower suddenly stops working properly. You go to take your daily rinse only to find water pouring into the tub instead of out the showerhead when you pull up on the handle. Or even worse - no water comes out at all! Not only is this an annoyance, but it also disrupts your entire morning routine.

Before you pick up the phone and call a plumber, know that there are a few easy troubleshooting steps you can try yourself to get your faulty shower handle working again. With a little DIY elbow grease, you can likely resolve the issues and enjoy hot showers once more.

Symptoms of a Faulty Shower Handle

How do you know if you're dealing with a broken shower handle or faucet? There are some clear symptoms to look out for:

• Water pours into the tub instead of through the showerhead when you pull up on the handle
• The handle feels stiff and sticky when trying to pull it up to turn on the shower
• "Works inside" the handle or faucet fell out into the tub

Any of these signs indicate something isn't functioning properly inside your shower valve/handle and needs to be repaired. Next, let's explore the possible reasons why you're experiencing issues.

Potential Causes

Broken or Stuck Diverter

If you're seeing water come out into the tub rather than the shower, the likely culprit is a broken or stuck diverter . This small mechanism routes the water flow between the tub faucet spout and the overhead showerhead when you pull the handle up.

It's a small part that's subject to mineral buildup, hard water damage, and general wear and tear over time. Any of these can impede the diverter's shifting function or fully break the part.

Replacing a damaged diverter is a straightforward shower handle fix . Turn off the water supply first, then pry off the handle trim sleeve and unscrew the handle. Locate the diverter at the rear base of the valve. Refer to the installation guide with the new diverter kit and replace the part accordingly.

Damaged Faucet Cartridge

Inside your shower handle is a cartridge - the essential part that controls water flow and mixing to set your desired temperature. Like any internal component, it's prone to mineral deposits, corrosion, cracks or complete breakdown after years of use.

If you're seeing issues like a sticky/stiff handle, inability to control water temp, or low pressure - a deteriorated cartridge is likely the problem. Switching out a bad cartridge is an easy DIY fix that will instantly get your shower functioning again.

Similar to the diverter, you'll remove trim and handle components to access the cartridge and swap in an identical replacement part. Be sure to note down any serial numbers engraved on your existing cartridge before purchasing a new one.

Missing or Failed Washers/Gaskets

Don't be alarmed if small rubber washers or gaskets popped out along with the "inner workings" when you pulled on your shower handle. These form watertight seals between components and frequently get dislodged if other internal parts are damaged.

Inspect remaining seals for cracks, brittleness, distortion or completeness. Any degradation will lead to leaks or pressure loss. Keep spares on hand to swap out whenever faucet parts have been taken apart - even if existing washers/gaskets seem fine, it's smart to replace them.

Additional Handle Problems

Stiff or Sticky Operation

If you're struggling to smoothly pull up or adjust your shower handle, a simple cartridge replacement is likely the solution. As the cartridge wears down over time under constant use, stickiness or stiffness results.

Follow the steps above to remove your existing cartridge and install an identical new one. This should have you pulling and adjusting with ease once more.

Loose Faucet Handles

On the other end of the spectrum, loose, wiggly handles make controlling water flow and temperature difficult. This points to internal gasket failure. As seals deteriorate, handle components lose their ability to stay snugly affixed.

Source new gasket kits to match your faucet make and model. Carefully disassemble to the point of access, clean any debris, and reinstall fresh gaskets per the manufacturer instructions. Tightly reassemble to prevent future handle looseness.

Leaking From Handle Base

Persistent dripping or leaking from where your shower handle joins the valve/faucet likely means deteriorated gaskets or seals. Cold water causes rubber components to contract over years of use, eventually leading to cracks and loss of water pressure containment.

Replacing aged gaskets and O-rings with new seals specially designed for shower valves will solve leakage issues. Take your make and model to the hardware store to ensure a perfect fit.

Preventing Future Shower Handle Issues

To minimize regular shower repairs, be proactive with handle care. Follow this routine maintenance:

• Periodically clean handle exterior and tighten any loose screws
• Rinse away any mineral deposits around handles and valves
• Frequently test water temperature regulation
• Replace washers/gaskets whenever handles are removed

Additionally, catch problems early by keeping an eye out for symptoms we discussed. A quick fix now prevents major issues down the road.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

While many shower handle troubles can be addressed with simple DIY solutions, some complex issues are better left to the experts.

If you encounter difficulties like pressure loss only in the shower, extreme temperature fluctuations, or very old/obscure model valves - it may be wise to have a licensed plumber handle the repair. They have specialized expertise for rare or deteriorated issues in home plumbing systems.

The cost is likely higher than your own elbow grease, but they get the job done safely and at a quality level to prevent future recurrence of problems. Consider if your skill level matches the complexity of the issues encountered.

As we've explored, many common shower problems from a faulty handle are easily repairable with basic maintenance. Checking issues piece by piece helps isolate whether simply cleaning mineral deposits, replacing small plastic components, tightening loose screws, or installing new cartridges or diverters does the trick.

Don't immediately break out your wallet and call for major home plumbing repairs when your shower won't turn on properly from the handle. Odds are that with a little focused troubleshooting, you'll have it working good as new!