Shower drips after you turn it off: replace the right cartridge

A drip from the spout or showerhead is almost always the cartridge

On a single-handle shower, the cartridge behind the handle is what shuts the water off. When its seals wear, water seeps past it with the handle closed. EPA puts a showerhead leaking 10 drips a minute at more than 500 gallons a year.

Manufacturer fixes for a shower that drips after shutoff:

Moen Posi-Temp

Handle only rotates. Moen: replace the 1222 cartridge.

Moen Moentrol or Standard

Handle pulls out. Moen: replace the 1225/1200 cartridge.

Delta MultiChoice 13/14

Valves made after March 2006. Delta: replace seats and springs RP4993, then the RP46074 cartridge if it still drips.

Delta Monitor 1300/1400

Valves made before March 2006. Replace the RP19804 cartridge.

Before you open the wall plate

• If the showerhead drips only while the tub spout is running, Moen calls that stacking, a piping or diverter issue, not a cartridge leak.
• Not sure of the brand or cartridge? Use the cartridge identifier: it starts from the handle you can see.
• Find the stops first. Moen notes fixture shutoffs for a shower are often in a closet access behind the shower or an access panel by the tub. If there are none, you will use the house main.
• Any shower cartridge swap ends with a thermometer check at full hot, 120°F or less, and resetting the limit stop if needed.