None of us likes to get the water run out while having a shower or even worse discovering that your shower head is not working properly. In our routine, it is common to face small problems that make it unpleasant for us. Such a case would be the non-working of your shower head or water leaks through the hose. Thus, it is important to know how to change the old shower head and install a new one with a handheld.
This procedure is very easy and you can do it on your own by just reading our steps below. So there is no need to call a specialist and wasting your money. What is needed to undertake this action and replacing the shower head? All you have to do is supply yourself with the right equipment that will help you carry out this procedure.
After that you just need to purchase the new shower head and pick a model that you like. You can buy the same model that you previously had, for the sake of convenience. On the other hand, you could get a new one. This can be used by attaching it with the shower arm thanks to a diverter valve. Check the steps below on how to install the shower head with handheld.
How to Install a Shower Head With a Handheld
1. The Tools You Need
Before starting the procedure on how to change and install a new shower head with handheld, there are certain actions you need to undertake. Also you need to equip yourself with a pair of tools. First of all, do not forget to turn off the water that supplies your tubes. You can do it by turning off the valve in your bathroom. Or you could do it by going to the basement of your house where the main water pumps are located.
It is necessary to turn off your water because you don’t want to get wet while you complete the installation of the shower head. After performing this you need to have certain tools that will help you carry out this procedure. Most importantly, you need to make sure that the shower head you have purchased fits the existing shower arm. Otherwise, a diverter valve will do great.
Plus an adjustable wrench will be an added help as the shower head might need some strength to be installed in a correct way. Finally, Teflon tape will be needed to have the right and solid link between shower arm, shower head and the hose to avoid leaks and make it easy while you tighten it.
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2. Knowing Which Shower Head to Purchase
When you need to replace the old broken shower head with a new one you have to make sure to buy the right model. You could even get a different one which suits perfectly to the arm shower. In this case, if you buy the same model of the shower head that you were using then you will not have any problem. Thus, all you need to do is change the old device with the new one.
However, you might prefer to use a new shower head or let’s just say a better and more advanced one. For example, you can buy a simple shower head which is fixed to the shower arm. Contrarily, you can purchase a two-setting diverter handheld shower head set with a hand shower. You can even get a three-way diverter shower head featuring a hand shower and grab bar; depending on your choice and preference.
As we mentioned above a diverter valve will solve your problem if the model you want to purchase does not fit the shower arm that you have in your bathroom. And the most important is that the installment of a diverter is the same as that of shower head; easy and very practicable.
3. Removing the Old Shower Head
Prior to the installment of the new shower head with a handheld it is essential, to begin with, the replacement of the old shower head. Depending on how long you have used your shower head, you will be able to remove it by hand or doing it with the help of an adjustable wrench. Afterwards, all you need to do is apply some force if done by hand. You can also try using the wrench to move the shower head by turning in a counterclockwise motion.
After you have removed the old shower head it is crucial to clean the threads of the shower arm, by removing any debris or dirt that the tube has accumulated in time. Also check if the Teflon is not damage or weaken and, make sure that the threads are still in a good shape. Otherwise, besides installing the new shower head, you should consider removing the shower arm pipe as well.
4. Cleaning the Shower Arm Threads
If you notice that there is too much debris on the inner part of the shower arm than cleaning it would be good, not only to create a free circulation of water but, keeping it as clean as possible, thus avoiding dirt. Begin by removing the old and used Teflon tape.
After that, use a dry microfiber cloth to clean the shower arm threads, which picks up a lot of those small particles of sand. Wipe down the surface of the shower arm with the dry cloth until you see that the debris is gone. Having cleaned your shower arm it is time to put on the new Teflon tape to provide a leak-free seal when installing the new shower head.
This procedure is very simple as all you need to keep in mind is the direction of how you will attach the tape. When you will install the shower head you will use a clockwise direction. The same procedure should be repeated with the Teflon tape; attach it in the same motion so it will not twist or undo when installing the shower head.
5. Install the New Shower Head
Once you have placed the Teflon applying it with several turns in the shower arm threads, it is time to install the new shower head. First, start to attach the diverter valve into the shower arm threads. The diverter has a rubber washer inside of the threads, so just tighten it down into the shower arm. The movement, as always, should be done in a clockwise direction, just the way you did it with the Teflon tape.
Fasten the diverter by hands and make sure that the threaded piece is pointing up, left or right depending on the type of diverter that you have. Once you have installed the diverter you can start by attaching the shower hose. One end of the hose will attach to the diverter and the other one with the shower head.
You can easily notice that the ends of the hose differ from each other. One end is a cone shape and the other is a regular nut type. The latter has to be attached to the shower holder while the other end must be screwed to the shower head. Make sure that you have tightened both ends properly.
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6. Check for Leaks
Finally, after finishing the procedure a check is always to figure whether the diverter valve, the hose or the shower head have been installed in the right way. Move out from the shower and turn on the water valve that you closed in the beginning. Then see if there is any leak. If you are facing it the installment hasn’t been done properly. Nevertheless, you will have it easy to notice where the tightened is not strong enough.
With the help of the adjustable wrench, you can fasten the shower arm, the hose or the shower head as much as it takes to complete this operation. After testing it again if you observe no water leaks, then you have done a successful job by installing a shower head with handheld.
Conclusion
To summarize the above and, as you have read the above steps on replacing and installing a new shower head with a handheld is such an easy action that any of you can undertake in his or her house. All of you have to do is buy a new shower head whether it is the same model or a new one. Then get some Teflon tape to isolate leaks and an adjustable wrench to fasten it in case of leaks.
After that start to install the shower mounting bracket or the diverter valve to attach the hose and then the shower head. Before installing the new device cleaning the shower arm from debris is necessary. Also, put on new Teflon if the old one consumed.
Finally, you can start to install the hose by attaching one end to the diverter and the other one to the shower head. Always remember when screwing the hose or the shower head you need to turn them in a clockwise direction. Having performed all the actions, turn on the water and check whether you are facing any leaks. If yes, use the wrench to fasten the devices properly.
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