Tips on how to replace a shower head

There are certain plumbing jobs in the home that it’s often a good idea to get a professional plumber to help put with. These jobs include fitting new showers, toilets and bath tubsas well as installing new piping. You can take a look at this link for more information about hiring a plumber. If you have a simple plumbing job that needs doing, such as replacing a shower head, you may be able to complete the work yourself.

Shower heads can be home to bacteria and they are not always easy to keep clean. This is why it’s usually recommended that you change your shower head every six to eight months. We are going to take a look at how you can complete the process of changing a shower head and make sure that your showering remains clean and safe.

Removing the old shower head

Obviously, you have to remove the old shower head before you replace it. There will be times when you can remove theshower head by simply turning it anti-clockwise by hand. If this is not possible then you should use a pair of slip-joint pliers and an adjustable wrench to help. Making sure that you protect the shower arm first, with a towel, you should grip it with the slip-joint pliers, to hold it in place.

You should then use the adjustable wrench to unscrew the shower head. Once you have removed the old shower head you should take some Teflon tape and wrap it around the shower arm threads in a clockwise direction. You need to wrap it around two or three times before pressing the tape into the threads.

Fitting the new shower head

As soon as all this preparation work is complete you are ready to fit the new shower head. The work you have to do depends on whether you are fitting a fixed mount shower or a hand held shower. If you are fitting a fixed mount shower head you simply need to screw it onto the shower arm and hand tighten it.

If you are fitting a hand held shower you need to fit the mount to the shower arm then attach the shower hose and the shower head. For either type of shower head you need to check for leaks once they are fitted. If there is any sign of water leakingthen you should tighten the shower head or mount further using an adjustable wrench, and use further Teflon tape.

You should always ensure that you change your shower head regularly to reduce the risk of bacteria in your shower. As you can see, it should not be a difficult process. If you do experience any problems it’s worthwhile calling a professional plumber to help it. It’s important that the new shower head is fitted correctly. If there are any leaks present then you need to ensure the problem is resolved.