How to Replace a Shower Head
Here are the tools you'll need to change your shower head:
- New Shower Head
- Adjustable Wrench (we use an 8-inch)
- Teflon Tape (also called Plumber's Tape)
Now here are some quick and easy steps to change your own shower head!
Step one: Choose your new shower head
Now that you’ve decided that you want to change your shower head yourself and have the tools ready, it’s time to get started! First thing’s first: you’ll have to decide what shower head is the right one for you.
Here are some options you may want to keep in mind when choosing your shower head:
Low-flow variety shower head: this one is great for the environment because it cuts down on the total gallons per minute when the shower is used.
Shower head filter: these are great if you have heavily chlorinated water in your community because it prevents chemical exposure from coming out of the shower head. You may need this if blonde hair has turned shades of green or if there’s orange buildup around the bathtub.
Step two: Take off old shower head
1. To take off the current shower head, use a wrench and open it up wide enough to grip around the notch, and then you can turn the notch counter-clockwise for it to loosen.
*It is easier to turn the wrench if you are gripping it at the very end of the handle so you get more rotation. However, you don't want apply a lot of force because it is important to be careful about the amount of pressure used to tighten and loosen when it comes to plumbing.*
2. Unscrew the shower head with your hands when it’s loose enough.
Step three: Clean excess residue
Once the old shower head is removed there may be visible leftover material around the pipe such as dirt, marks, remaining rubber gaskets, or plumber’s tape. Don’t worry because this is an easy fix. Simply get a rag, and wipe away all the excess material to get a truly clean start.
Step four: Wrap pipe with Teflon tape
1. With a few layers of the Teflon tame, wrap the threads of the pipe.
*Keep in mind that this type of tape isn’t sticky, but it will attach successfully to the threads of the pipe.*
2. Now, use your finger to smooth out the tape.
Step five: Set up replacement head
Hand-tighten the new shower head clock-wise.
*Note that it’s best to nut use a wrench unless it is clearly stated in the instructions. And if it does say to use one, make sure you don’t over-tighten the shower head (do 1/4 turn each time).*
Step six: Check for leaks
Lastly, turn the shower head on and look and feel around for leaks around the seal.
*If there are none, then you are good to go! Great work!
But if you do find one, that’s not a problem! Simply try and hand-tighten the shower head again and give it another try.*
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Article Summary
Quick question & answer: How do I replace a shower head?
To replace a shower head, you’ll need a new shower head, an adjustable wrench, and Teflon tape. First, choose your new shower head, then take off the old shower head. Clean excess residue from the pipe, then wrap the pipe with Teflon tape. Lastly, et up the replacement shower head and check for leaks.