How to change a shower head? Are you confused?
Don’t worry read our step-by-step guide below.
Suppose you have bought a unique designed premium and stylish looking shower head for your brand new bathroom. You will definitely want to install it right away and see how it works. But then again waiting for the plumber to come and do the job can be very annoying.
But, if you are reading this guide, bid adieu to your headache of calling a plumber and save that extra cash in your wallet. Here, we will discuss a step-by-step guide about how to change a shower head.
These steps will allow you to do it yourself, and you can save a lot of time as well. So, what are you waiting for? Scroll down and learn everything about installing a shower head for a small shower, medium shower, oversized shower, or any other type of shower by replacing the old one.
However, before you know the steps, you need to see that check the features of the product that you aim to buy. You have to buy a product that comes with installation instructions as that can be of much help.
Read on to know the steps on how to change a shower head.
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How To Change a Shower Head In 2021 — Detailed Guide
Things You Will Need Before Changin a Shower Head
When you aim to install a new shower head in your bathroom, you need to keep some of the things handy. This will help you end the process quickly and effortlessly.
These Includes:
- A new shower head ( of course)
- Monkeywrench ( channel lock pliers)
- Old towel
- CLR cleaning solution
- Teflon Tape (it depends on the product)
Keeping these things near you means you are now ready for the installation process. So, here are the steps you need to follow to go for a flawless installation and clear all doubts about how to install a shower head.
Smart Steps to Change a Shower Head
Way to Prepare the WorkSpace before Installation
Completely turn off the shower:
The first thing you need to ensure is the shower that you need to replace is completely turned off. Also, check whether the knobs are secured tightly. If the knobs are not tight enough, it can lead to water leakage, and that way, exterior splitting is evident. So don’t forget to double-check the knobs before you begin with the process.
Place a blanket on the ground:
Make sure to cover the drain by placing a blanket or towel on the ground. You may not know that shower head consists of small bits and pieces that you might have to open while replacing the shower. If anything slips and flashes down the drain, then everything will be in vain. Hence, it is the safest way to avoid any such mess up during the installation process.
The Process of Replacement:
Take out the existing shower:
Grip the shower arm properly and open the lock from the attached hose pipe. Make sure to wrap a cloth around to avoid getting drenched while opening the lock. After you have a screw off the shower head, use the wrench to compress the base of the shower head.
Then move the shower head anti-clockwise to take it out from the shower arm. You can easily detach some of the shower heads from the arm just by moving it anti-clockwise. However, if you find it challenging, then you can use the tool. Do not forget to use cloth.
Properly Clean the Threads:
Make sure to clean the drop of the water properly before you fit the new shower. When you do that, clean and uninterrupted water flow will be ensured. If you find it hard to clean it with just water, you can use an old toothbrush to do the same.
Any built-up rust and grime will be easily cleaned when you use the toothbrush. One of the essential things is to make sure to remove the old Teflon tape from the thread of the shower arm.
Ribbon the Shower Arm Threads:
It is essential to wrap the Teflon tape before you fit the new shower head in the shower arm. Apply 2-3 rounds clockwise to ensure a tight embedding of the thread. After covering the entire shower arm entry point with the Teflon tape, press it inside the grooves for security. Otherwise, the tape gets undone again.
Install the New Shower Head:
The first thing that you need to do is placing the new shower head on the shower arm. Start twisting it clockwise and hold it tight. When you secure the shower head, you should use the clothes, adjustable wrench, pliers, and tighten the shower head to avoid any leakage.
Do not forget to wrap the shower head and arm with a piece of cloth. The cloth will soak the additional leakage of the shower head. When you use the shower head to experience a warm and heavenly shower, you can enjoy a massage and rainfall like flow.
Use the adjustable wrench and compress the cloth and then turn the shower head as far as you can. This is the ultimate procedure to attach a new shower head. However, the installation process of a hand-held shower is different from an oversized shower head.
When you aim to install a hand-held shower, you have to follow some different steps. Read on to know how to install a hand-held shower head. You need to follow some simple steps to ensure a perfect installation of a hand-held shower.
Check the Water Flow:
After installing the new shower head, you need to check the water flow. If you see that there is any interruption or proper water flow is not ejected, you need to reopen the shower head and again place it on the arm to get a water flow without any hindrance.
Now, as you have completed the full shower head installation process, let us now delve into the process of a hand-held shower.
Installing a Hand-Held Shower — Details
Using a hand-held shower gives you a very versatile and comfortable experience of bathing. The hand-held shower is handy and easy to use. You can directly use warm water on your joints and release pain (if any). This is possible with a hand-held shower.
You can choose from a wide range of products related to a hand-held shower. You do not have to call a plumber in this case as well. The below-discussed steps will allow you to go for easy installation within just a few minutes.
If you are replacing an old shower head with a new one, you will need a complete preparation step just like before.
How to Prepare?
You have to bring some of the tools to start with work. The preparation process is essential, and you should always keep all the tools handy. Otherwise, it can be problematic to look for a necessary tool while installing the shower head. When you bring all the tools handy, you will never have to ask how to change a shower head, because it is that easy.
Types of Equipment That You Need:
- Channel Lock-Pliers
- Drill and bits
- Tub Spout along with a diverter
- Piece of thick cloth
- Hex key
- Pipe’s seal
The Initial Process:
The small steps that you need to do at the beginning are as follows:
Use those channel lock pliers to remove the old shower head. You have to move it around anti-clockwise to loosen it, and you can open it easily. Make sure to wrap it with a heavy cloth so that the water does not drench, and you don’t get wet while going through the process.
The next step that you need to take is cleaning the thread. When rust or lime remains stagnant in the shower arm, the water flow will be hindered. Therefore, it is essential to clean it thoroughly before installing the new one.
Here Are The Details:
Get the Base of the Shower head Fixed First
You have to wrap the plumber’s pipe seal tightly around the shower arm after removing the old one. Then try to open the base by unlocking the hand-held shower arm and tighten it with the help of your hand.
Now Fix the Hose
You must know that a hand-held shower needs to be fixed with a hose pipe. Once you detach the old one from the arm, you have to fix the new one to the hose pipe. Fix the shower head on the hose pipe and tighten it securely. Once it is done, open the tap to check the water flow and also make sure there is no leak.
Wall Bracket Should be Mounted
If your shower head has the instruction of mounting the wall bracket, do it by following the guide given in the description. However, remember that it may need drilling holes on the walls and a unique drilling tool as well.
Installing a Combo-fix Mount
This is also one of the standard categories of showers that many people buy and try to install on their own. This is also easy to install, but you need to know the steps thoroughly to avoid any obstacles.
Unlike the previous installation processes, this one has some other specific features that you should be very careful about. You will need a unique tool like a shower head diverted to fix the combo-fix mount.
When you have it, follow these steps to complete the installation process with ease.
- Attach the hand-tighten diverter to the shower arm.
- Move the diverter in the clockwise direction to tighten the shower head to the shower arm.
- Then you have to connect the shower hose to the diverter. Then the hand-held shower should be connected to the hose.
- After this, you can put the hand-held shower in the mount.
- Check for the leaks by opening the taps and see the water force.
- If you notice that there is a leak in the newly installed shower head, you have to use the Teflon tape.
- Once you are happy with the flow, your work is done.
The Quick Tricks & Tips That You Must Keep in Mind
There is no denial of the fact that a shower head installation process is easy, and you can do it yourself. But, there is always a chance of getting something wrong. You should know some of the useful tips to manage any disaster that might happen when you plan to install a shower head.
- Make sure your tools are working fine and not broken at all. If you use any broken tool while installing the shower head, there is a chance of getting injured. The best way to avoid such accidents is to get tools that are in good condition.
- Do not use any light cloth while covering the ground. Always prefer using a towel or any heavy cloth because it will help to prevent any small parts of the shower head from flushing down the drain.
- If you are not too sure about using the tools, you can always check for DIY videos. These videos will help you to get things perfect.
Few Words Before Wrapping Up…
Following these hassle-free installation steps will allow you to do the work efficiently, and also you can stop wondering how to change a shower head. Once you get a shower head for your bathroom, get everything handy, and start the work without worrying. All the best to you! Also, do not forget to share your experience with us.
Happy Bathing!
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