Thinking about changing your showerhead? You’ve come to the right place! The experienced plumbers at Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing have assembled this guide on how to replace a showerhead. Read on for the tools and materials you’ll need, and how to do it!
What You Need
DIY projects are great – until you have to stop halfway through to go to the hardware store. Make sure you have all the materials and tools necessary to change a showerhead before you begin.
You’ll need the following items:
- New Showerhead
- Adjustable Wrench
- Pliers
- Towel
- Teflon/Electrical Tape
Procedure
The following is the procedure for removing your old showerhead and replacing it with a new one. A top tip from the expert plumbers at Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing: never over-tighten your plumbing fixtures. Use the wrench and pliers sparingly!
- Remove the Old Showerhead
Naturally, the first thing you’ll need to do is remove your old showerhead. Try removing the showerhead by hand: simply turn it counterclockwise. If you can’t remove the showerhead by hand, you’ll need to use the wrench and pliers. Wrap the shower arm (where the shower meets the wall) with a towel. Then, grip the shower arm with the pliers. Finally, using the adjustable wrench, unscrew the old showerhead counterclockwise. - Prepare the Area for the New Showerhead
Once you have removed the old showerhead, you need to prepare the area for the new showerhead. Clean off rust, mineral deposits, used electrical tape, and pipe putty from the shower arm. Take your new Teflon or electrical tape and wrap it around the threads of the shower arm. Then, press the tape into the threads of the shower arm. - To Install A Fixed Showerhead:
Screw the new showerhead onto the threads. You can begin by screwing it on by hand. Then, to tighten the new showerhead fully, wrap the towel around the shower arm where it meets the showerhead, and tighten with the adjustable wrench. Turn on the water, and check for leaks. If the showerhead leaks where it meets the arm, check that your Teflon tape is smooth against the threads. - To Install A Handheld Showerhead:
First, screw the mount for the showerhead onto the shower arm. Hand tightens the mount. Next, take the shower hose and screw it by hand into the mount for the showerhead, and the showerhead itself. Finally, place the showerhead in the mount, and turn on the water. If there are leaks, adjust the Teflon tape and tighten the mount. - To Install a Combo Fixed-Mount and Hand-Held Showerhead:
To install a combo fixed-mount and hand-held showerhead, first screw the diverter into the shower arm by hand. If necessary, you can use the adjustable wrench to tighten the diverter.
Then, screw the fixed showerhead into the diverter. Next, apply Teflon tape to the other end of the diverter. Then, screw the hose-extender attachment to the unused opening of the diverter. Finally, screw the hand-held shower head into the other end of the hose.
Need Help Knowing How to Change A Showerhead? Call Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing!
Hopefully, this guide helps you know how to replace a showerhead. If you need help or have other plumbing problems, call Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today. Our family-owned and operated company has served the greater Atlanta area since 1989. If you need service, call us today or schedule your appointment online.