How to Change A Shower Head? Is It Easy?

how to change a shower head feature
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Have you noticed that your showerhead has been leaking more and more lately, or perhaps the water pressure has been decreasing? Or are you simply looking to upgrade the style of your bathroom? Regardless of why you’re considering replacing your shower head, it can be a great DIY project.

But is it easy to change a shower head? If yes, what are the steps to doing it? If you are pondering these questions, continue reading below to find the answer.

how to change a shower head

Preparation before installation

Tools Needed

  • Adjustable wrench
  • Screws
  • Teflon tape
  • Rug or towel
  • Handheld shower head kit
  • Wall brackets
  • Mounting brackets

Choice of shower heads

There are lots of shower heads available in the market, but looking for replacement shower heads could be hard. After all, there are just too many of them. Among the shower heads, you can choose the following:

  • Adjustable shower heads
  • Rain showers
  • Hand held showers
  • Filtered shower heads
  • High-pressure shower head
  • Double shower heads

Installation guide for different shower heads

Regardless of the type of shower head you are trying to install; they follow the same basic steps. And these steps are the following:

Step 1: Turn off your water

Turning off the water before a bathroom work is almost a standard. After all, you don’t want water to be splashed on you while fixing the shower head. To do this, just shut off your home’s water main, which is typically placed in the basement.

Step 2: Remove the old shower head

How to install a shower head? Before you can install your replacement shower head, of course, you first need to remove the old one. Now, removing an old fixture could be as easy as turning it clockwise. However, in instances where it cannot be removed through that, you might need to get your tools and a towel. Put the towel or rug in the shower arm (wrap it), then using an adjustable wrench, twist the head’s base counter clockwise until it is removed from the arm.

Step 3: Clean the shower arms

Once the old shower head is removed, you will see the rust and debris left by it. It is necessary to get rid of this for better water quality and water pressure. Given this, before installing a new one, you should first clean the inside and outside of the shower arm.

Step 4: Place the shower head tape

The shower arm should not be loose to avoid leakage and diminished water pressure. So, to make sure everything will be okay, you need to ensure the shower arm as well. What you need to do is apply Teflon tape in the series of linear threads at the end of the shower arm. Applying this is necessary as it acts as a guarantee that once you twist the new shower head into place, it will be a snug fit. Press the tape hard until you can see through them.

Step 5: Install your new shower head

are shower heads universal

Installation is not the same for all shower heads. Some are easy, while the same cannot be said for others. So, how to change shower head depending on the type?

  • How to change a shower head with a hose

If your new shower head has a hose, do the above steps first. Afterward, if the one you are about to install has a backing plate, slide it first. Then screw on your mounting bracket and tighten it. Make sure that everything is in the right place, such as the hose being placed at the bottom of the bracket.

If the mounting bracket is already secured, secure your hose onto it. Do not forget to attach the proper end to the bracket. Then test it for any leakage. Once you have checked it and there is no leak, then your new shower head is good to go.

  • How to change a hand held shower

Changing the head of a hand held shower is fairly easy. As usual, the end of the shower hose should be connected to the mount before the new shower head is screwed onto the shower arm in a clockwise direction. Afterward, check for any leakage or other instructions from the manufacturer.

  • How to change a fixed shower head to handheld
how to change a fixed shower head to handheld

Changing a fixed shower head to hand held is really popular. After all, who would not want products such as Square Black 3 Functions Handheld Shower with Wall Bracket Set from MyHomeware. Now, changing a fixed shower head to the latter is no different from changing a shower head with a hose. Like the latter, you first need to do steps 1 to 4 with some alterations. One of these is in step two, where you not only need to remove the old head but as well as the fixed part using a wench. Afterward, if the one you are about to install has a backing plate, slide it first. Then screw on your mounting bracket and tighten it. You also need to ensure that the hose connection is on the bottom part.

Again, like the first one, you need to connect the hose to the mounting bracket, then screw it to the wand. Afterward, tighten it by hand and check for any leakage.

Conclusion

Changing shower heads while appearing as something complex is a fairly easy task that you can do. With the proper tools and “how to change a shower head” guide, changing your old one with the better one you found will be done in an instant. Just make sure what kind of shower head you are about to install before replacing your current shower head.

FAQ about How to Change A Shower Head

Are shower heads universal?

Most shower heads are universal in the sense that they fit in half-inch pipe threads. However, there are some exceptions, so it would do you good to check before buying one.

Can I hire a pro for shower head replacement?

Yes, though it is a simple task, you can ask a professional to do it for you, especially if you also plan to have a pipe and valve installed. Moreover, it is better to hire a professional if you are dealing with delicate pieces.

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