If you want to give your bathroom a fresh and new look, one of the responsibilities to carry out is replacing some old fittings and fixtures. And this includes the shower head. Shower heads are designed to last for a long time; however, they can become worn-out due to some factors.
Moreover, people who are neck-deep in aesthetics will feel motivated to replace their shower head when it is not looking attractive. The issue some people have is they don’t know how to change a shower head. Replacing unattractive or damaged shower heads is one of the effortless home repairs to do. The beautiful part about this installation is, it does not cost much.
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Steps in Changing a Shower Head
Learning how to change a shower head is one of the most straightforward tasks you can do. Provided you have the necessary tools and stick to the instructions fully, changing a shower head would be a breeze.
Prepare the Workspace
- Get the essential tools: To know how to change out shower head, you need some vital materials to get started. You need a tarp, a wrench (adjustable), a pair of pliers, a Teflon tape and a new shower head. You can get these materials at any trusted home improvement outlet.
- Ensure the shower is turned off: When you set out to change the shower head, confirm that the shower knobs are turned off tightly. The reason is to prevent water from seeping out when you are working. However, there is no need to turn off the water supply.
- Spread a blanket on the shower floor: Get a blanket and lay it on the shower floor. This is to prevent bits of the shower head from falling and going through the drain. Similarly, it is to protect the shower floor surface from the materials. Another way to go about this is to use the Teflon tape and put it over the drain to ensure nothing falls down.
Replace the Shower Head
Remove the Present Shower Head: Wrap the shower arm’s base with a cloth. Then, open the channel locks and grip them on the shower arm and cloth to make the shower arm secure while screwing off the shower head. Next, wrap the cloth around the shower head, then use the adjustable wrench to hold down the shower head’s base.
After this, turn the shower head in the anticlockwise direction to unscrew it from the shower arm. Take note, it is easy to screw some shower heads on, and it is equally easy to remove it anticlockwise with your hands. Hence, you can try using your hands to remove the shower heads. If it proves too difficult, the cloth and tools will come in handy.
Wipe the Shower Arm’s Threads: Get a clean cloth to wipe the screw threads on the shower arm. Also, with an old toothbrush, you can penetrate between the threads and remove buildups and rust.
Use Teflon Tape on the Shower Arm’s Threads: Use around 2-3 rounds of Teflon tape and apply it to the shower arm’s threads. The tape should wrapped firmly in a clockwise direction and well embedded in the threads. The reason for wrapping the tape in a clockwise direction is, when you are screwing on the new shower head, the sealed Teflon tape does not get undone.
Fix the New Shower Head: Put the new shower head on the shower arm, then turn it clockwise with your hand to firmly place it. When the shower head is firmly positioned, use the pliers, adjustable wrench, and cloths to tighten the shower head.
Use the cloth to wrap the shower head’s base, and do the same to the shower arm’s base. With the pliers, grip the cloth to hold the shower arm firmly in place. Also, clamp the cloth with the adjustable wrench and turn the shower head in the clockwise direction till it is tight.
You can use this exact procedure to connect any shower head, either a hand-held shower head or a fixed mount shower head. However, with the handheld shower head, there is a little difference. The handheld shower head comes with a diverter attached between the shower arm and the shower head.
Turn the Water Supply on: Switch on the water supply, then turn the shower on. Next, check if there are leaks from the shower head. If there are leaks, switch the water supply off, and apply the Teflon tape. Then, try to tighten it more firmly. However, ensure you don’t over-tighten it.
Also Read: Best Alcove Bathtub Review – Factors to Consider
Tips and Precautions When Changing a Shower Head
Buy the Right Shower Head
Before you replace your shower head, you need to get the right one for your bathroom. One seamless way to do this is to check the pipe (shower arm). Some pipes originate from the wall, and others are structure as the wall-mounted models. Hence, in learning how to replace a showerhead, you need to properly observe your bathroom’s situation before you get a shower head.
Wipe the Shower-Arm Threads
Before you install the new shower head, ensure to clean the shower arm’s threads. You will likely see some Teflon tape or some corrosion on the shower arm. With an old toothbrush or cloth, you can clean those threads to smoothly attach the new shower head.
Prolong the Life of Your Showerhead
When you are done installing a new shower head, you need to take care of it to preserve its aesthetics and keep it intact for a long time. One of the common methods for cleaning your showerhead is to put it in a plastic bag and fill it with white vinegar to completely saturate the holes. And leave it in this state for an hour. If you have not cleaned your showerhead in a long time, you can soak it overnight to clean it.
Factors to Examine When Buying a Shower Head
One of the most important features in your bathroom is your shower, and the part of the shower that people rarely pay attention to is the shower head. Usually, people remember the shower head exists when it is dysfunctional, and they proceed to get a new one and have a professional fix it. When they get to the market, online or offline, they are overwhelmed with several options.
And this happens because they don’t know the exact features their shower heads should come with. Getting a shower head depends on your shower type and its features. Hence, if you purchase a showerhead that doesn’t fit your shower and suit your purpose, it is a waste of money. In learning how to change a shower heads, here are some factors to consider before you buy one
Shape
Shower heads come in two shapes: Square and round shower heads. You can opt for any shape you want, but you need to consider other items in your bathroom. Also, you need to check your shower area and see if the shape you choose will fit in well. If your bathroom area is square, select the square shower head. However, many people select and use round showers in their bathtubs.
Installation
When you want to buy a shower head, you need to select an option that allows for easy installation. If you want to save cost by installing the shower head yourself, you need to look out for the less-complicated ones.
A shower head that possesses many complexities during installation would likely have more complications than other ones. You can do extensive research on the ones that are less complicated and easy to install.
Spray
Showerheads spray water in various intensity rates and patterns. Generally, showerheads come with different settings that can easily adjusted on the head. Hence, the first step is to get the showerhead you prefer, then search the head that comes with spray settings. Usually, there are four settings on a showerhead.
Pulsating: The water is sprayed in alternating patterns.
Wide: This is the default settings, and the water comes out of the nozzles at the exact speed and pace.
Rinse: The water rushes out of the central nozzles.
Targeted: The water rushes out harder than normal from a few nozzles.
Energy Consumption
The water pressure of a shower head is equivalent to its energy consumption. You can save money on energy consumption by looking for a showerhead that offers water-efficiency.
Aesthetics
Ultimately, it would help if you went for a showerhead that will beautify your bathroom. It would be ideal to select a finish that fits your bathroom’s decoration. And since showerheads are designed to last for a long time, you need something you will love. If you decide based on the factors listed in this how to change a bathroom shower head guide, you will get a showerhead that fits your needs.
Also Read: What Is a Shower Pan – Important Part that Fits Your Needs
Conclusion
Before you learn how to change a shower head, you need to know the vital tips involved. If you are unsure on how to go about it, you can reach out to a professional for help. It would be great if you considered the necessary factors involved before you get a shower head to allow for easy installation.
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