Introduction
Shower heads play an important role in providing us with a refreshing shower experience. However, over time, they start to corrode, and clog up with minerals, reducing their efficiency, and leaving us with a less satisfying shower experience. That’s why it’s important to change your shower head from time to time. In this guide, we’ll be discussing how to change a shower head, step-by-step so that you can do it yourself without needing to call in a professional.
Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re not an experienced plumber, changing a shower head might seem daunting at first. Fortunately, it’s a relatively straightforward process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to change your shower head:
Tools required for the task:
Before you begin, make sure you have the following tools:
- Adjustable wrench
- Teflon tape
- A new shower head
Preparing the showerhead for removal:
Before removing the old shower head, make sure you turn off the water supply to avoid leaking. Then, remove any decorative caps or covers used to hide the screws, by gently prying them off with a flat screwdriver or pliers.
Removing the old shower head:
Using an adjustable wrench, grip the nut connecting the showerhead pipe. Turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen the nut, and remove it by hand. If the nut is difficult to turn, you can use pliers to get a better grip. Also, be sure to hold the showerhead steady with your other hand as you remove the nut. Once you have loosened the nut, use your hand to twist and remove the old shower head.
Preparing the new shower head for installation:
The next step is to prepare the new shower head for installation. Take out the new showerhead from its packaging, and attach it to the shower arm. Apply Teflon tape to the threads of the shower arm to create a watertight seal.
Installing the new shower head:
Now it’s time to install the new shower head. Hold the shower arm and the new shower head in one hand, and with the other hand, screw the nut on the showerhead pipe. Tighten the nut with an adjustable wrench until it is snug to ensure that there are no leaks. Also, make sure that the showerhead is facing downwards to avoid any dripping. Finally, turn on the water supply to check for any leaks.
Video Tutorial
If you’re still unsure of the process, you can refer to this short video which will demonstrate the process of changing a shower head, step-by-step:
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This video is a helpful reference for those who benefit from visual guides.
Advantages of Replacing Your Shower Head
Changing your shower head comes with a host of benefits:
- Water conservation benefits: water-efficient shower heads help reduce water consumption in the long run and thereby reduce your water bills.
- Improved water pressure: New shower heads provide improved water pressure and a more satisfying shower experience.
- Reduced water bills: water-efficient shower heads can significantly cut your monthly water bills and save you money.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When changing a shower head, people often make these mistakes:
- Not turning off the water supply: Forgetting to turn off the water supply to the shower head can cause water to spurt out from the pipe when removing the old showerhead, creating a mess.
- Tightening the nut too much: overtightening the nut that holds the showerhead can cause damage to both the showerhead and the pipes, making it difficult to remove in the future.
- Wrongly positioning the shower head: If the showerhead is misplaced, it can lead to water dripping or not reaching all the desired areas.
Choosing the Perfect Shower Head
There are different shower heads available in the market, catering to a wide variety of preferences:
- Rain shower heads: a broad and wide spray that creates a rainfall effect in your shower space.
- Low-flow showerheads: These showerheads release water at a slower pace to help save water.
- Handheld showerheads: more flexible compared to the wall-mounted showerheads, it is great for those who require precise water control and need to rinse off various body parts.
- Multifunction showerheads: providing more than one shower setting, it gives a spa-like experience and satisfies your choice of shower setting.
Easy Installation Options
When choosing a shower head, it is ideal to look for ones that can be installed easily and quickly without requiring a plethora of tools. The following showerheads don’t require a lot of effort to install:
- The screw-on showerhead: This showerhead is equipped with an adjustable screw that you can twist on and off manually.
- The snap-on showerhead: equipped with a simple ‘snap and lock’ mechanism, it can be connected directly without any bolts, nuts, or washers.
Eco-Friendly Options
Swapping your shower head with an eco-friendly version can make a significant difference to your bills and the environment. These eco-friendly options are available in different variations that save water:
- Low-Flow aerated showerheads: These showerheads add air to the water flow, creating tiny droplets that retain heat and provide a powerful flow rate while reducing water flow.
- Versatile showerheads with adjustable flow settings: You can switch between an efficient flow setting that saves water and a higher pressure flow setting for times when you need it.
Conclusion
Changing a shower head is a simple process that can be done yourself without the need for a professional. Refer to our step-by-step guide, and the visual aid provided in the video tutorial, to complete the task efficiently. You should bear in mind that changing your shower head comes with benefits of improved water pressure, water conservation, and reduced water bills for an overall satisfactory shower experience.
