Your shower is where you wake up for the morning and relax after a long day. But right now, you can’t seem to really wake up or relax. It can be challenging if your existing shower head isn’t doing the job. This is why people look up how to replace your shower head. They’re also researching other shower remodeling ideas to make their entire bathroom experience better.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process of how to change a shower head step by step. So whether you’re looking for a more powerful spray or simply want to update your look, you can find the information you need right here.
Just follow the 8 steps below to replace your existing shower head in no time!
How To Replace Your Shower Head In 8 Steps
Step 1: Remove Your Old Shower Head
Shut Off The Water: Begin by shutting off the water supply to your bathroom. This will ensure that you don’t flood your bathroom (or worse, the entire house!) while you’re working. So how do you shut off the water?
You can locate the bathroom’s shutoff valve, but the easiest way to do this is to just find the main water shut-off valve for your home. Turn it clockwise until it’s fully closed. Once you’ve shut off the water, open all of the faucets in your home to release any water left in them. This will prevent the pipes from bursting when you turn the water back on. Finally, test your shower fixtures to make sure they’re no longer running water before beginning your project.
Loosening The Shower Head: You should be able to loosen the showerhead by turning it counterclockwise. If the shower head is stuck, wrap a damp paper towel around it and use a pair of slip joint pliers (or an adjustable wrench) to loosen it.
Unscrew The Shower Head: Once the shower head is loose, twist it counterclockwise to remove it from the pipe. Then, go to the next step on how to replace your shower head.
Step 2: Clean The Shower Arm
With the old shower head removed, take a close look at the shower arm. If there’s any buildup of mineral deposits, you’ll need to remove it before attaching the new showerhead.
Cleaning A Shower Arm With Vinegar: One of the easiest and most effective ways to clean a shower arm is with vinegar. Vinegar is a natural acidic cleaner that will help to dissolve mineral deposits. To clean with vinegar, simply fill a plastic baggie with undiluted white vinegar. Secure it around the shower arm with a rubber band. Allow the vinegar to work its magic for at least an hour. Then remove the baggie and run water through the shower arm to flush away any residue. Scrub away any deposits with an old toothbrush or other soft-bristled brush. Make sure to pay extra attention to the threads. Once the deposit is gone, rinse off the shower arm again and dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth. This is an important step for how to replace your shower head.
Cleaning A Shower Arm With Baking Soda: If vinegar doesn’t seem to be doing the trick, you can try cleaning the shower arm with baking soda. Baking soda is another natural cleaner that can help to break down stubborn mineral deposits. To use, mix together a 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of water to form a paste. Rub the paste onto the shower arm using a soft-bristled brush. Then rinse away with water.
Scrub Off Stubborn Buildup: If that doesn’t work (or if you want to speed up the process), you can also use a small brush or toothpick to remove the deposits. It’s especially important to make sure you clean the buildup off of the shower arm threads since that is where you will attach the replacement head.
Step 3: Apply Teflon Tape To The Threads On The Shower Arm
This step for how to replace your shower head helps prevent leaks.
Use Teflon Tape To Create A Tight Seal: Apply Teflon tape (also called plumber’s tape) to the threads on the shower arm. This tape creates a watertight seal that prevents water from leaking out around the edges of the shower head. Due to this, plumber’s tape can help to extend the life of your showerhead by preventing water damage. Plumber’s tape is also very easy to apply and remove, making it a convenient option for those who want to keep their shower heads in good condition.
*Pro Tip: Wind the tape in the same direction that the arm screws onto the pipe. For most shower heads, this will be in a clockwise direction.
Step 4: Install The Replacement Shower Head
The steps for how to replace your shower head can change slightly. It depends on the type of new shower head you have. You should follow all instructions included with your new shower head to ensure proper installation.
We have also outlined the process for each showerhead type below:
Fixed Wall Mount Shower Head: A fixed wall mount shower head is the most common type of shower head. As its name suggests, a fixed wall mount shower head is attached to the wall above your shower rather than to the shower arm. It is attached to the wall with pipes. For this process on how to replace your shower head, you’ll simply need to screw the new shower head into place.
Top Mount Shower Head: A top mount shower head, also known as a rainfall shower head, is a type of shower head that is mounted on the ceiling above the shower area. For a top mount shower head, you’ll need to unscrew the shower arm from the wall and then screw on the new shower head. Then, screw the shower arm back into the ceiling.
Hand-Held Showerhead: A hand-held showerhead is a showerhead that is attached to a hose instead of being fixed to the wall. The hose is usually attached to a pipe leading to the showerhead. For a hand-held showerhead, you’ll need screws that attach the hose to the existing showerhead. Attach those to the new showerhead and move on to the next step in how to replace your shower head.
Combination Hand-Held And Fixed Shower Head: For a combination hand-held and fixed showerhead, you’ll just need to remove both the old showerhead and hose before installing the new ones. Newer models may also have an adapter that needs to be removed before installation.
We recommend you hand-tighten all connections before carefully tightening them with an adjustable wrench. You can use a towel or old rag to protect the shower arm while you tighten it.
Step 5: Check For Leaks
The next step for how to replace your shower head is to make sure it works as it should.
To check your new shower heads for leaks, turn on the water and check all of the connections for drips. You can try to hand-tighten them more to see if that fixes it. If not, go to the next step to try and fix the leaks in your shower heads.
Step 6: If There Are Leaks, Remove The Shower Head
If the shower head leaks, first make sure that all the connections are tight. Hand-tighten it as much as possible before using a wrench. Don’t tighten it hard enough that you damage the showerhead.
If it is still leaking, try this part of how to replace your shower head. Shut off the water, remove the shower head, and apply more plumber’s tape. Your shower head may also have a spot where you can place a rubber seal. This can help stop the leak so you can finally enjoy your shower.
If nothing stops the leaking, check the showerhead for damage. Exchange it for another if it is damaged.
Step 7: Screw On The Shower Head Again
If the shower head is still leaking, return to step 6. Once you’re confident that there are no leaks, you can go ahead and move on to step 8.
Step 8: Turn On The Water And Enjoy Your New Showerhead!
Congratulations! You now know how to replace your shower head. Or, you might have already successfully installed your new shower head.
Now you can finally fully wake up, relax, and enjoy your shower time.
Contact Home Pride Construction For Your Bathroom Remodel
Now you know how to replace your shower head. If you are thinking about doing a more extensive bathroom remodel, Home Pride Construction can help!
Just fill out our contact form today, and a team member will be in touch to help bring your bathroom remodeling dream to life.