There are a number of instances when you need to change your showerhead. Switching the showerhead for a new one is probably the most interesting DIY project that I took upon so far. Many people dread about handling the bathroom equipment properly. That is probably because most of us are not trained for the job. Honestly, this is an easy job that requires very few steps to follow.
This little article will elaborate those steps one by one. Whether you are changing a fixed or a handheld showerhead one, you’ll have no problems once you go through the process.
Preparing for the Task
It is a common thing to note that preparing for a job is as important as doing the job itself. Switching bathroom equipment is another example of that. To switch showerheads without a problem, you need to prep the area so that not a single part gets lost. You need to have the right tools at hand too.
You’d need an adjustable wrench, a screwdriver, the new showerhead and a Teflon tape for starters. Make sure you have the necessary tools at hand. Some people often use pliers as well. Obviously, you’ll need some safety goggles and gloves going into your bathroom. Keep a towel or a cloth nearby. These will prevent any of the smaller parts from washing away.
Picking The Showerhead
The next step of the process is picking the showerhead itself. With my experience, I can tell you, changing one becomes easier when you pick the same model as a replacement.
If you are looking for a better replacement and have Chlorine problem in your area, simply go for fixed or handheld showerheads with filters. This will prevent chemical reaction with your hair and skin. If you are seeing orange or green stuff building up around the pipes, it’s the sign you need a shower head with a filter.
If you need to pull the leash on your water bills, go for Best Low-Flow Showerheads that are out there on the market. You can either choose fixed showerheads or the handheld ones depending on what you need.
Remove the Old One First
You need to remove your old showerhead before you are able to install the new one. As we are speaking on both Fixed and handheld showerheads, we’ll go through the process of removing each one.
For the fixed showerheads, open up the wrench wide enough so that you can grab the notch of the item. The next step is turning the wrench counter-clockwise to loosen the old showerhead. After that, you can unscrew the product yourselves by hand. Be sure to grab the wrench by the end of the handle. I can speak from experience that you’ll get more torque out of it.
For the Handheld variants, you’ll have to turn off the main water source first. After that, remove the head the same way as I mentioned before. As an extra caution, I washed the entire pipe and cleaned the remaining sealants (if there were any).
Also, do remember to cover your wrench with the rag to make sure you don’t put any scratches on the fittings.
Wrap with a Teflon Tape
Now it comes to setting up the showerhead. When I replaced mine, I used Teflon tape at first to wrap onto the pipe. Don’t worry, it is not sticky. It adheres to the shower pipe just fine but it won’t stick to your hands. Be sure to wrap the tapes in a couple of layers. I used two of my fingers to smooth the tape out along the way. I suggest you do the same.
Next, comes attaching the showerhead. As we are talking about two different showerheads here, let’s go over the process for each one.
How to Replace a Fixed Showerhead?
I advise you to proceed carefully. Each of the fixed showerheads is different. You’ll need to tighten them differently. I prefer tightening a fixed showerhead by hand. Turn it clockwise. You’ll need to go for 1/4th of a turn at a single time. Also, don’t use the wrench unless the user manual for the product tells you to. Once it is tightened, you are done.
Switch the water on to see if it is flowing like it should. If you find any leaks, just tighten the seal a bit more and you’ll be fine.
How to Replace a Handheld Showerhead?
I can tell you it involves a few extra steps but they are very easy. You probably know how to attach a Teflon tape on the shower stem from the earlier point. That is half the job. Then, you need to attach a diverter to the stem. Make sure you tighten this one with the hand as well. It will help you to get the measurement right.
There are two necks of the diverter. A fixed showerhead will go into one neck. Of course, you’ll have to attach a Teflon tape again just to tighten the seal. Repeat the process we went through when attaching this variant earlier.
Apply the tape on the other neck as well. Then attach a hose extender. The basic rules of tightening remain the same. Don’t use a wrench unless you are instructed in the manual to do so. On the other end of the hose, attach the handheld showerhead. Don’t overdo it when it comes to tightening.
Get a Shower Mount in Place for the Hand Shower
You’ll do well to install a mount to station the showerhead when it is not in use as well. For that, you need a mount, a drill, and a screwdriver. Drill the holes necessary into the bathroom wall at a suitable height. The holes need to be slightly bigger than the screw size of the mount. Then place the mount and screws through the holes.
Tighten the screws so that the mount is tightly placed on the wall. Congratulations! You’ve installed a handheld showerhead and wall mounts as well!
Final Words
You might have noticed that replacing the stationary and movable variants of showerheads go hand in hand for the majority of the process. Just be sure to have your safety in mind and wear gloves and safety goggles when you are replacing these bathroom fittings.
Once you know the full process, it shouldn’t take you more than an hour. Be sure to do scheduled maintenance once a week to keep the equipment functional and at the top of their game.