My Shower Handle Is Broken – How to Turn Off Water?

Dealing with a cracked shower handle gets really wild when the water keeps running and you don’t know what to do next. As the shower handle is broken, learn how to turn off the water first and then think about repairing it. But exactly how?

To turn off the water for a broken shower handle, you need to shut off the valve that is in charge of the water supply. This could be an individual valve that works just for the shower. Or a more universal valve that controls the water supply to the entire house.

In this guide, let’s explore ways to use the different valves and also discuss the possibility of fixing a damaged shower handle without turning off the water supply.

Emergency Fix: How to Turn Off Water with a Broken Shower Handle

Dealing with a shower handle that won’t turn off the water can be tricky. Especially when you are trying to repair a broken shower handle. It might not be mandatory, but having the water supply disconnected will make the repair easier to conduct.

So exactly how to turn off the shower water supply of a faucet where the handle is cracked and clearly unusable? You can try two different methods for this.

1. Turning off the main valve of the house water supply.
2. Shutting off the shut-off valve of the shower if available.

As you can already see, both of these techniques require manipulation with valves existing in a plumbing system. 

In the case of a shower valve, this one is a dedicated controller for the water supply that comes with the shower system. This valve will only stop the water supply to the shower faucet in trouble while allowing water to flow into other parts of your household.

To Shut off the Dedicated Shower Valve:

However, you may not always find it available. And that’s where the second option comes in use. 

You use the main valve of the entire house’s water supply. Here you won’t be able to isolate the disconnection of water for the shower faucet alone. Instead, the entire house will be disconnected from the water supply.

To Turn off the Main Valve:

Do All Showers Have Shut off Valves?

There are quite a few things you must know about shower valves before actually using them. First and foremost, do all showers have water shut-off valves?

All showers don’t have water shut-off valves generally. Some models of shower faucets will come with this function, while some need you to use other means for disconnecting the water supply. 

Most of the time, you will discover some sort of stop valve that is installed beneath the sinks and toilets. 

However, both showers and bathtubs often lack this mechanism. In the absence of a water shut-off valve, you must learn how to turn off the bathroom water supply or the main water supply of your house.

Why Doesn’t Some Shower Come with a Shut off Valve?

The next thing you could be wondering is probably why is there no shutoff valve for the shower. Well, there’s no reason specifically. 

However, it could be because installing a valve may require additional room inside the plumbing system that might not be available. 

It is also possible that sidestepping a shut-off valve will keep the plumbing setup straightforward. 

Also, the individual shut-off valve is not popularly demanded. And lastly, local building codes might be another reason behind not having a shut-off valve. Though this one is quite rare. 

However, having a dedicated shut-off valve for the shower faucet can indeed be helpful in many ways. Using the shut-off valve for shower leaking, malfunctions, or in this case repairing a broken handle will make things easier for the user. 

You can consider installing a shutoff valve for the shower if the model allows such modification. The best way to confirm is, of course, consulting with a professional. Installing a separate shut-off valve for the shower is also not that expensive for the most part. 

Locating the Water Shut off Valve of a Shower

You need to locate the shut-off valve for the shower to confirm its existence. So where is the water shut off for a shower located generally?

Well, the water shut-off valve for the shower should be located right behind the wall. In some cases, it could be accessible through a panel. You need to check these areas. 

It is also possible that the shutoff valve exists in a completely different location. A more specific answer should be available in the manual of your shower system. Don’t forget to give it a check. 

Fixing the Broken Shower Handle Without Turning off the Water

Perhaps you have a cracked shower handle, but it still is not entirely broken. But despite that, the shower faucet is not turning the water off.

In this case, exactly what could go wrong, and why is the shower faucet not turning the water off?

Your shower faucet is not turning water off probably due to a cartridge issue. This device is usually in charge of water flow control and malfunction can cause the faucet to not turn off water. 

I have discussed cartridge-related issues making a single-handle shower faucet hard to turn off. You can check for further information.

Changing the Handle Without Turning off the Water

Now in this situation, can one change the shower handle without turning off the water? Initially, it does look like that this will cut down a lot of hassle.

Well technically, you can change the shower handle without turning off the water. However, it won’t cut down any hassle. Instead, this will make the working process lengthier and also, there will be trouble with the water pressure levels at the location. 

So even though it is possible to continue fixing a broken shower faucet handle without turning off the running water, I would not recommend you do so.

How to Fix a Broken Shower Handle?

Fixing a broken shower handle will need you to determine whether going for a short-term or long-term solution is what you need right now. 

You can try sealing the cracks if that’s accessible for a more temporary fix. Or you can decide to go for a more permanent fix by choosing to replace the broken handle. This may also include changing the valve stem and other parts that are damaged.

Wrapping Up

And there you go! When your shower handle is broken, this is how to turn off the water. Now you can go ahead and try things for yourself.

Once you are done taking care of the running water, go ahead and fix the broken shower handle. This could be a job you can do yourself or require calling a professional plumber depending on how difficult the damage is to handle. 

It is best to research as much as you can before attempting to troubleshoot any plumbing errors. You don’t want to further the problem instead of fixing it. So make sure you think about that!

I will see you soon in my next guide, bye!