A Pro’s Guide on How to Change a Shower Head in 6 Steps

Got a leaky shower head? No need to call the plumber, you can change it yourself!

People think that it’s a difficult or tedious task, but let us assure you that is not the case. In this step-by-step guide on how to change a shower head, we will show you how you can remove your shower head and replace it with a new one in no time. 

Let’s begin, shall we?

How to Change a Shower Head: Step-By-Step Guide

So, maybe you have a leaking shower head, or just need to replace the existing one with a new one. The job is straightforward and will not take more than an hour to complete and will save you a few bucks. 

First, let’s sort out the tools. You will need the following:

• Wrench
• Blanket/Tarp
• Cloth
• Pliers
• A new shower head
• Teflon tape

Now, let’s go over the process one step at a time: 

Step 1: Turn off the shower

The first thing you need to do is switch your shower off. Make sure that the shower is completely turned off so that there are no outbursts when you start removing the shower head. You don’t need to stop the main power supply or anything, just ensure the shower is turned off. 

Step 2: Lay the blanket or tarp on the floor

Lay out the blanket or tarp, whichever you’ve got, down on the bathroom floor to avoid damaging the flooring or tub. This will also ensure you don’t lose any shower head parts to the bath drain. 

Step 3: Removing the shower head

Once you’ve protected your bath’s flooring, you will then proceed to remove the shower head. You can do this either by unscrewing it with your hands and pulling it out or by using the pliers and the wrench. 

We recommend the latter method. Place the cloth around the shower’s base and put the pliers around it. You can then use the wrench to twist the shower head out of the shower arm, without pulling out the whole shower. 

Step 4: Clean the shower arm threads

The next step is to clean the shower arm threads to prevent any leaks or water flow issues with the new shower head. 

Take a toothbrush and some water to deep clean the threads to remove any slime or bacteria built up in them. Once done, wash it with water and dry it out before proceeding to the next step.

Step 5: Secure with Teflon tape

Take the Teflon tape and tie it around the threads of the shower arm. Make sure the tape is wrapped tightly to hold the threads in place. 

Step 6: Install the new shower head

We’ve made it to the last step. Now, you will install the new shower head. 

If you have a simple shower that is mounted on the wall, then all you need to do is attach the shower head to the shower arm opening and twist it to fix it in its place. To tighten it, use the pliers and wrench. 

In case you have a swankier shower, then there are some additional steps you need to follow to install the new shower head. Let’s go over these individually: 

• Handheld shower head: These shower heads are attached to a pipe that can be moved around. The only thing you need to do is make sure to place it down or mount it on the wall before starting the replacement. 
• Technology-enabled shower heads: These shower heads can be complicated to change. Even the instruction manual for tech shower heads can be confusing. So for these, we recommend calling a professional plumber in, especially if you are not comfortable doing it yourself. 

Once you have replaced your old shower head, you can test it by turning the water supply on. 

If the installation is done properly, you will get regular water flow through the nozzles without any leaks from anywhere. In case there are any leaks, you can remove the shower head and tighten the Teflon tape a bit more to see if that helps. 

Conclusion

We hope now you’ve learned how to change a shower head and can hopefully do it yourself without any professional help. 

This guide covered the process of replacing an existing shower head in 6 simple steps that anyone can follow and get done within minutes. 

Make sure you have the necessary tools handy before starting the replacement. To choose a new shower head, make sure you check out Metpure’s shower head collection. 

For more helpful guides and information, stay tuned to the Metpure Blog.