Shower Pump Leaking Water — What to Do
Check the steps below first — if you're not confident, get it fixed safely today.
Post a job — we'll find you an engineer →Switch the pump off at the fused spur immediately if you see a leak — water near electrical equipment is dangerous.
A leaking shower pump is one of those problems that looks alarming but is often straightforward to fix. Pumps tend to develop leaks after several years of use, particularly if they're working hard to boost pressure in older homes or where mains water pressure is naturally low. The leak could be coming from a loose connection, worn-out flexible hoses, or — less commonly — a failed internal seal. Most homeowners can tackle the first three issues themselves with basic tools and a bit of patience, though some situations do warrant calling a qualified plumber. This guide walks you through identifying where the water's coming from and what you can safely do about it, plus when it's time to bring in the professionals.
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Most likely cause & what to check
Switch off at the fused spur immediately and close the isolation valves on both pump inlets.
Identify where the leak is: the most common locations are the union nut connections (inlet/outlet), the pump body (shaft seal failure), or degraded flexible hoses.
Leaking union nuts can often be fixed by tightening a quarter turn with a spanner. If the leak continues, undo the union, wrap the male thread with 3–5 turns of PTFE tape, and refit firmly.
A drip from the centre of the pump body near the shaft indicates the mechanical shaft seal has failed — this seal prevents water escaping around the motor spindle. Shaft seal replacement is a job for a plumber.
Check flexible hoses for splits or cracking, especially if they are more than 5–7 years old. These are inexpensive to replace.
Once repaired and fully dry, switch the fused spur back on and run the shower briefly to confirm no further leaks before boxing in.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to keep using my shower pump if it's leaking?
No — you should switch it off at the fused spur straightaway. Water dripping near electrical equipment is a genuine safety hazard, even if the pump appears to be working fine otherwise. Once you've identified and fixed the leak, a quick test run will confirm everything's watertight before you use it normally again.
How do I know if the leak is from the union nut or the pump body itself?
Watch where the water actually drips from. If it's trickling from where the inlet or outlet pipes screw onto the pump, that's almost certainly a union nut — these are easy wins. A leak from the middle of the pump casing near the motor shaft is a different story and means the internal seal has gone, which needs professional attention.
Can I replace my shower pump's flexible hoses myself?
Yes, absolutely — it's one of the easiest fixes. Turn off the pump and isolation valves, unscrew the old hoses, and fit new ones of the same diameter. Make sure they're rated for hot water if they're on the outlet side, and always hand-tighten the connections firmly before testing.
How often do shower pump hoses need replacing?
Most flexible hoses last between 5 and 7 years before they start to crack or become brittle, especially on the hot-water side where the temperature is higher. If yours are older than that and you spot any visible splits or weeping, replacement is the sensible move — new hoses cost very little compared to potential water damage.