How to Repair a Kohler Single Handle Shower

• Sophia Al-Mansoor
• Oct 15, 2026
• Ambient Intelligence
• 2 min read

Learn proven strategies on how to Repair a Kohler Single Handle Shower in this comprehensive guide.

+

• Screw driver
• Allen wrench
• Pliers
• Replacement Kohler stem

Over time and with much use, the washers inside the stem wear away, eventually causing leaks. Any plumbing supply store or local hardware store will carry replacement Kohler stems.

1. Remove the Allen nut or screw on the underside of your Kohler handle. With the nut or screw removed the handle should slip right off the defective stem.

2. Use a pair of pliers to remove the retaining clip holding in the stem. There may or may not be a stem depending on what model Kohler faucet you have.

3. Pull out the stem with a pair of pliers. If it’s an older model faucet, you may have to try turning the stem a few times to loosen the stem in the mixing valve.

4. Set the new stem into the mixing valve where the defective one sat.

5. Reinsert the retaining clip if there was one.

6. Place the handle back on the stem and tighten the Allen nut or screw, locking the stem in place.