Over time shower heads accumulate deposits, especially in areas with hard water supply this leads to an uneven water flow, reduced pressure, clogged nozzles and inefficient water usage. Changing your showerhead can improve water pressure and enhance your day to day experience. A new shower head can even reduce water consumption.
Changing a showerhead is easy and doesn’t require as many tools — any DIYer can do it, so can you. Here is a quick guide on how to change your showerhead. If you run into a plumbing issue along the way, check out our General Plumbing FAQs for quick answers. If hard water buildup is a recurring issue in your home, a water softener in San Antonio or water softener in Lubbock can prevent mineral deposits from damaging fixtures and plumbing over time.
Materials required:
- Adjustable wrench
- Pliers
- towel (or any soft cloth)
- Plumbers tape
Steps to follow:
- Turn off your water Supply: the first step to any plumbing solution is to turn off your water supply before you take apart any plumbing item.
- Remove the Old Showerhead: First unscrew your old showerhead, usually this does not require any equipment and can be done by hand, if not:
- If stuck, use a cloth by gently wrapping it around the connected shower head
- use a wrench to loosen it by turning it clockwise
- Clean the threads: before you install the new showerhead, you need to clean the threads on the shower arm exposed after removing the old showerhead. Remove any visible buildup, debris or old tape.
- Apply Plumbers Tape: to create a tight seal and make future replacement process easier, wrap a plumber’s tape clockwise around the threads of the shower arm 2-3 times.
- Install the new Showerhead: Like the removal process, screw the new showerhead on by hand turning it clockwise till its snug. If requires:
- Use a wrench gently for a final twist
- Make sure you do not overtighten, this may cause damage to the fixture.
- Test for Leaks: Turn on the water and use the shower to check for any leaks in the connection.
- If you notice any dripping from the shower arm then, tighten the showerhead slightly or re-apply the tape.
- Ensure that the showerhead is properly aligned.
Choosing the Right Showerhead:
While replacing the showerhead, it is crucial to consider the types of showerheads available in the market.
A Rainfall Showerhead gives the spa-like feeling while a handheld is better for conserving water and is more flexible as well as convenient. Moreover a Low Flow model is the best for water efficiency whereas a multi setting model is the best of both worlds.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Skipping the Plumbers tape: Skipping tape is what usually leads to leaks.
- Overtightening Connections; these can crack fittings and strip the threads in the shower arm.
- Ignoring Buildup: if you don’t clean your threads properly the fixature will prevent a proper seal.
Tips for Maintaining Your Showerhead
In order to maintain your brand-new showerhead properly:
- Regularly clean the head with vinegar, which will eliminate mineral buildup
- Dry it thoroughly to avoid further accumulation
- Check for leaks now and then
- Do not use chemicals, which could harm the head’s coating
A bit of care will last you a lifetime.
Cases That Require a Plumber
Although installing a showerhead does not typically require professional work, there are instances when one must seek professional assistance:
- Damaged or corroded shower arm: When it happens to be the pipe that needs replacement
- Leaks despite having fixed the showerhead: It might be caused by other plumbing problems. In this case, our Emergency Plumbing Services in San Antonio or Emergency Plumbing Services in Lubbock can help you fix it fast.
- Reduced water flow in the entire house: It is definitely not caused by the showerhead
- Fixtures that won’t budge: Moving them forcefully can damage the fixture inside the wall
- Installing more sophisticated systems: Such as rain showers installed from above or having several nozzles
Better be safe than sorry.
At the end of the day, if you are not confident its always better to call professionals.
At Leaky’s we specialise in each and every plumbing requirement. We fix it so you don’t have to worry. Contact us Today!