How to Install a Waterpik Shower Head
Americans have enjoyed home showers for over a century. In 1974, the Waterpik company introduced the first massaging variable shower head, which, by the early 1980s, was a huge success. Teledyne Waterpik has since rolled out a huge variety of shower heads, including those that conserve water while still delivering the famous Water Pik adjustable massage. Replacing a shower head is an inexpensive way to upgrade a bathroom, and Waterpik has made its shower heads fairly easy to install. Be aware, however, that different models require slightly different procedures and tools. Fixed Waterpik shower heads with metal pivots require the most tools and labor, so How To instructions will focus on those. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Waterpik shower head
- Hardware set found in shower head package (filter screen, flow regulator, pivot ball)
- Adjustable wrench
- Pipe tape
Instructions
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Installing Your Water Pik Shower head
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1
Be careful removing your old shower head if it looks this corroded. Hold the shower pipe stem steady with one hand. With the other, carefully test the shower head to see if it can be removed just by unscrewing it counterclockwise, or whether you'll need to use a wrench.
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2
An adjustable wrench is about the only tool you'll need. Unscrew the old shower head with your hands or with a wrench, and set aside. Be prepared to have some leftover water drip out of the pipe.
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3
Teflon or pipe tape protects old or stripped pipe threads. Wrap pipe tape two or three times around the shower pipe threads. This will create a more secure fitting with the new shower head.
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4
Place the pivot ball, flow regulator, and filter screen inside the shower head. Place the shower head inside the shower pipe and hold in place. The pivot ball should be outside the end of the pipe.
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5
Attach the shower head to the pipe via the pivot ball by tightening clockwise with the wrench. Be sure not to over-tighten.
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6
Test your shower to make sure water is flowing properly. Turn on the shower water full-blast. The water should jet through the shower head, not through cracks between the head and the pipe.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Some Waterpik shower heads have plastic rather than metal pivot balls. They do not require a wrench, and pipe tape isn't needed unless the threads are stripped. Waterpik Rainfall and EcoFlow shower heads come with an extra wing nut, which needs to be tightened with a wrench.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Shower image by Semfamily from Fotolia.com doccia image by fotografiche.eu from Fotolia.com Screwdriver image by PaulPaladin from Fotolia.com green insulation tape image by green308 from Fotolia.com shower image by green308 from Fotolia.com
