Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.
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Replacing a shower head is a simple task that people can do to improve the aesthetics of their bathroom, or merely solve their leaky shower head problem. By using a few tools and following a few simple steps, you can change your shower head in just a few minutes.
Steps
Gather all the necessary materials. In order to effectively replace your shower head, you’ll need a blanket or tarp, an adjustable wrench, a pair of slip-joint pliers, and a new shower head. It would also be beneficial to have teflon tape.[1] You can purchase these materials at a home improvement supply store.
Make sure the shower is completely turned off. Make sure the shower knobs are completely turned off and are secured tightly. This will prevent any water from leaking out as you work to replace the shower head.- Don’t bother shutting off the water supply; this would require unnecessary effort.
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Lay down a blanket or tarp. Lay a blanket or tarp down in the tub or on the shower floor to prevent any shower head bits from possibly falling down the shower drain, and to protect the tub or shower floor surface from falling tools or materials.[2]- If you’d like to be extra careful, you can put tape over the drain to ensure that anything that falls around the blanket or tarp won’t fall down the drain as well.
Remove the existing shower head. Wrap a cloth around the base of the shower arm.[3] Open up a pair of channel locks and grip them onto the cloth and shower arm to hold the shower arm secure when you screw off the shower head. Then wrap a cloth around the shower head, and use an adjustable wrench to clamp down onto the base of the shower head. Turn the shower head counter clockwise to completely unscrew the shower head from the shower arm.- Some shower heads are screwed on rather loosely, and can be easily removed by turning it counterclockwise with your hands. You can try removing with shower head with your hands initially, but if you can’t loosen it, use the tools and cloths to remove the shower head.[4]
Clean the threads of the shower arm. Use a clean rag to wipe off the screw threads of the shower arm. You could also use an old toothbrush to get in between the threads, and clean out any built up grime and rust.[5]- Remove any old Teflon tape from the shower arm’s threads.
Tape the threads of the shower arm. Apply about 2-3 turns of Teflon tape to the threads of the shower arm, wrapping the tape tightly in a clockwise direction and making sure that it is embedding in the threads properly.[6] Wrap the tape in a clockwise direction so when you screw on the new shower head, the sealing Teflon tape doesn’t come undone.- Be sure to press the taping into the grooves of the threads.[7]
Attach the new shower head. Place the new shower head onto the shower arm, and twist it clockwise by hand to secure it into place. Once the shower head is secure, use the cloths, pliers, and adjustable wrench to tighten the shower head. Wrap the base of the shower head with a cloth, and wrap the base of the shower arm with cloth. Use the pliers to grip onto the cloth and hold the shower arm base in place. Use the adjustable wrench to clamp onto the cloth, and turn the shower head clockwise as much as it will go.- This same procedure is used to attach any kind of new shower head, fixed mount shower heads and hand-held shower heads alike.[8] The only difference is that a hand-held shower head will have a diverter attached between the actual shower head and the shower arm. Further instillation directions will likely be included when you purchase the hand-held shower head.
Turn on the water. Turn the water supply back on, turn on the shower, and check for any leaks coming from the shower head. If you find any leaks, turn the water off, reapply the Teflon taping, and try tightening it a little more.[9]- When tightening the shower head, be careful not to overtighten it.
Video
Expert Q&A
Tips
Warnings
- Be careful not to break the seal where the pipe connected to the shower arm attaches to the piping system. This will cause a water leak, which may damage the house and cause mold to grow.Thanks
Things You'll Need
- Shower head
- Pliers
- Adjustable wrench
- Wire brush or old toothbrush
- Teflon tape
- A couple cloths
References
- ↑ http://www.homedepot.com/c/how_to_replace_a_shower_head_HT_PG_BA
- ↑ http://www.homedepot.com/c/how_to_replace_a_shower_head_HT_PG_BA
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiv4Zq9v4co
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GobNAuKD7rk
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiv4Zq9v4co
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiv4Zq9v4co
- ↑ http://www.homedepot.com/c/how_to_replace_a_shower_head_HT_PG_BA
- ↑ http://www.homedepot.com/c/how_to_replace_a_shower_head_HT_PG_BA
- ↑ http://www.homedepot.com/c/how_to_replace_a_shower_head_HT_PG_BA
About This Article
To replace a shower head, grab your adjustable wrench and slip-joint pliers, and check that the shower is off. However, don’t worry about turning off the water supply. Wrap a cloth around the shower head and use the wrench to clamp down on its base. Then remove the old showerhead by turning it counter clockwise until it’s off. Wipe off and then wrap Teflon tape on the shower arm’s threads. Grip the shower arm with the pliers and tighten the new shower head clockwise as far as it'll go with the wrench. To learn more from our Contractor co-author, like how to clean your shower arm before installing the new head, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
"I was completely at a loss as to where the extension arm connects behind the wall - this is going to be very helpful provided I don't break the connection to the piping system!"..." more
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