Replacing Shower Heads

A screw-on shower head presents little trouble for DIY replacement.

Whether you're looking to install a new luxury shower head containing the latest features or opting instead for a water-saving low-flow attachment, changing your shower head is a plumbing task that any homeowner can tackle. The process is simple. You unscrew the old shower head and remove it, then screw the new one on. There's little mess involved, and as long as you remember to turn off the water supply, little water involved as well.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Pipe wrenches
• Pipe dope

Instructions

1. Cut the supply of water to the shower, using the cutoff valve accessible through the water access panel. Locate the panel in the room adjacent to the bathroom, attached to the common wall shared with that room and the bathroom shower. Remove the screws holding the panel in place with a Phillips-head screwdriver and pull the panel from the wall. Turn the valves inside clockwise to turn off the water. Test the water flow by turning on the shower; if off, the water will flow for about five seconds, then sputter off.

2. Remove any screws from around the shower head at the base of the head's body, holding it in place on the pipe. Remove the shower head from the water supply pipe by unscrewing it from the pipe threads by hand. If the shower head sticks, wrap the water supply pipe in a towel and grasp it with a pipe wrench to hold it steady. Use a second pipe wrench to slowly turn the shower head, loosening it in place. Unscrew the loose shower head from the pipe threads to complete the removal.

3. Clean the threads of the water supply pipe with a scouring pad, removing any dirt or grime. Rinse with clean water, then dry the pipe threads with a towel. Cover the thread with pipe dope, brushing the threads of the supply pipe with a light layer of the gel to prevent leaks between the new shower head and the water supply pipe.

4. Screw the new shower head into place, tightening it onto the water supply pipe by hand. Secure it in place with any screws that came with the shower head, placing the screw through the screw hole in the base of the shower head until it hits the pipe, keeping the head from movement.

5. Turn the water supply back on and test the new shower head by running water through the unit. Look for any leaks from between the head and water supply pipe. If leaking, turn off the water, remove the head and reattach, mating the threads properly and fitting the tape securely over the threads.

References

• Repair Home: Selecting and Replacing Showerheads
• Realtor.com: Replacing a Shower Head
• Fine Homebuilding: What's the Difference: Joint Sealing with Teflon Tape and Pipe Dope

Resources

• HomeTips.com: Low-Flow Showerheads: Types and Features