Shower leaking?

Water that drips from the showerhead or spout is usually a worn cartridge or washer. Water on the floor is more often the curtain, the door or failed caulk. The one to take seriously is a leak inside the wall, which shows up as a ceiling stain below or a soft wall.

Not sure which one it is? Snap your shower or tub and we’ll narrow it down.

Is the water just weak instead?

That's usually the showerhead or the valve. Shower low pressure

Likely causes

Dripping showerhead or spout
Most commonModerate DIY
Water drips from the showerhead or tub spout after the water is off. A worn cartridge or washer is the usual cause.
Part: $100–300 for a cartridge replacement (professional price)
Water getting out past the curtain, door or failed caulk
CommonEasy DIY
The floor is wet only after a shower, the curtain doesn't hang inside the tub, or the caulk where the tub meets the tile is cracked, gapped or peeling.
Part: $65–300 for caulking a tub or shower (professional price)
Cracked grout or caulk letting water behind the tile
CommonModerate DIY
Grout lines are cracked or crumbling, tiles feel loose, or the wall below the tile is stained or soft.
Part: $1,500 average ($600–2,500) for regrouting (professional price)
Leaking valve or supply line inside the wall
Less commonCall a pro
A stain on the ceiling below the bathroom, a soft or bulging wall, or a damp spot that grows even when no one uses the shower.
Part: $200–1,000 for a leak behind the wall (professional price)

Quick checks

Shut off the water before you pull a cartridge. Some valves have stops behind the trim, and otherwise use the main water valve. A stain on the ceiling below means water is inside the structure, so stop using that shower until it's checked. Watch for mold on wet walls or ceilings. If the wet ceiling is near a light fixture, switch off that circuit at the panel.

Look at the ceiling below the bathroom and the wall next to the shower for any stain, bulge or soft spot.
Watch the showerhead and spout after you turn the water off. A steady drip points to a worn cartridge or washer.
Make sure the curtain hangs inside the tub, or the door seals along its edges.
Check the caulk where the tub meets the tile, and the grout lines, for cracks, gaps or peeling.
Dry the tub and floor, run the shower, and note where the first drops of water appear.

Sharpen the read

Diagnose your shower in seconds, for free

No account, no phone number. Fixology’s AI reads your photo and tells you what’s likely wrong, how worried to be, and whether it’s a DIY fix.

Snap one of these:

the showerhead and handle
the caulk and grout lines where the tub meets the tile
any stain on the ceiling below the bathroom

Add a note or more photos next. Nobody calls you.

When to call a pro

There is a stain on the ceiling below, a soft or bulging wall, the leak continues after you fix the caulk and curtain, or a valve won't turn or leaks. Water inside a wall can damage the structure and grow mold, so don't wait. If water is running from a pipe, see burst or leaking pipe. If the tub drains slowly, see clogged drain. For lifespan and upkeep, see the shower or tub guide.

Typical cost: A shower repair averages $350 ($100–700) on Fixr, with a cartridge replacement at $100–300, valve repair at $75–250, valve replacement at $200–650, and a leak behind the wall at $200–1,000. HomeAdvisor puts regrouting a shower at $1,500 on average ($600–2,500). Angi puts caulking a tub or shower by a pro at $65–300.

Sources: Fixr: Cost to repair a shower (updated January 31, 2025), HomeAdvisor: How much does it cost to regrout a shower? (updated June 20, 2026), Angi: Cost of caulking (no update date shown)

After a scan, Fixology can also help you find pros near you.