You’ve been thinking about it for a while now. Just last week, you thought about how much money you could be saving while you washed your hair. That’s right, folks, it’s time to finally replace that old showerhead with a model that will save you money. With a little investment in a new, more efficient showerhead, you can not only save money on water usage but also energy, as newer models don’t use as much hot water. For 30 years, Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has been taking care of the HVAC and plumbing needs for the greater Atlanta area, and today our experts are going to teach you 4 simple steps to replace your showerhead.
- Remove the Old Showerhead.
The first thing you’ll need to do is remove the old water-hogging showerhead. Make sure the faucets are off to the shower (no need to turn off the main water supply) and twist the showerhead counterclockwise. If the showerhead won’t budge, wrap a rag around the nut, and then use an adjustable wrench to remove the showerhead. Next, clean off any Teflon tape or putty left on the shower arm threads by the previous plumber. - Wrap the Threads with Teflon.
Now, with the old showerhead removed, wrap the threads of the shower arm with Teflon tape. Make sure to wrap the Teflon tape in a clockwise motion three times. This will ensure that the new showerhead does not leak. When applying the tape, you want to make sure it fits tightly onto the threads, but you do not want to pull the tape too tight – as that will reduce its effectiveness. You should be able to see the threads beneath the tape. - Install the Replacement Showerhead.
At this point, you should be all set to install your new showerhead. First, refer to the instructions from the manufacture to be sure there isn’t specialized advice given for the particular model you have. Now, you should be able to simply screw the new showerhead onto the shower arm by hand. Keep twisting in a clockwise fashion until the showerhead is snug and in the correct position. - Test the Showerhead for Leaks.
You did it. Now, the only thing left to do is test the new showerhead for any leaks. Turn on the shower and let it run for three to five minutes. Pay attention to the places where there are threads. You’re all good if no leaks are spotted. If you do spot a leak, don’t freak out. Just take the showerhead back off and re-apply the Teflon tape. That’s it! You should be golden.
If the showerhead is snug but not in the correct position, you may also adjust the shower arm for this step as well. If you’re installing a handheld showerhead, just install the mount onto the shower arm in the same manner, making sure to follow the manufacture’s instructions.
While these DIY tips should make replacing your showerhead a cakewalk, they are far from comprehensive. However, the professionals at Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing are always ready to lend a hand should you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed or discover the project to be more in-depth. For all your HVAC and plumbing needs, call Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, email us, or chat with a representative in the chatbox to schedule service today!
