Installing a New Showerhead

Replacing a showerhead can be as easy as taking off the old showerhead and screwing on the new one. This project guide will show you how to install a fixed-mount, fixed-mount with hand-held and hand-held only showerhead. When unscrewing the old showerhead, be careful not to apply so much torque that it damages the plumbing in your walls. Also, you can protect the finish on your shower arm by wrapping the jaws of your pliers and wrenches with electrical or duct tape. You can keep plumber’s tape from showing on the shower arm by wrapping the tape no higher than the threads. As you work on your project, be sure to take any actions recommended in the instructions included with your
new showerhead.

Tools:

Adjustable wrenches

Slip-joint pliers

Materials:

Showerhead

Available only at your local store:
* Teflon Tape

Follow These Steps

Steps 1 - 2 of 2

Step One

Remove the Old Showerhead

Turn the showerhead by hand counterclockwise to remove it. If you can remove it by hand, proceed to Step Two. If it cannot be removed without using tools, follow the steps below.

1.	Wrap the jaws of slip-joint pliers with electrical tape or place a towel around the shower arm to protect the finish, then grip the shower arm with the slip-joint pliers.

2.	Use an adjustable wrench to loosen and unscrew the old showerhead by turning it counterclockwise.

3.	Clean off any rust or mineral deposits and old tape or sealant on the shower arm threads.

Step Two

Wrap the Threads

1.	Wrap Teflon tape in a clockwise direction 2-3 times around the threads of the shower arm.

2.	Press the tape into the threads.

Steps 1 - 2 of 2

Installing a Fixed-Mount Showerhead Only

1.	Screw the new showerhead onto the shower arm in a clockwise direction and hand-tighten.

2.	Turn on the water and check for leaks.

3.	If leaks occur, carefully tighten the showerhead until there are no leaks or remove the head and apply additional Teflon tape.

Installing a Hand-Held Showerhead Only

1.	Screw the hand-held shower mount onto the shower arm and hand-tighten.

2.	Connect the flexible shower hose to the mount and to the hand-held shower. Hand-tighten the connections.

3.	Place the hand-held shower in the mount.

4.	Turn on the water and check for leaks.

5.	If leaks occur, carefully tighten the connections until there are no leaks or remove the head and apply additional Teflon tape.

Install a fixed-mount with hand-held shower

Installing a Fixed-Mount with Hand-Held Shower

1.	Attach the diverter that routes water to the showerhead to the shower arm and hand-tighten.

2.	Screw the fixed-mount showerhead onto the end of the diverter in a clockwise direction and hand-tighten.

3.	Attach the hand-held unit mount to the shower per the manufacturer’s instructions.

4.	Connect the flexible shower hose to the diverter and to the hand-held shower. Hand-tighten the connections.

5.	Place the hand-held shower in the mount.

6.	Turn on the water, divert water from the fixed to the hand-held unit and check for leaks.

7.	If leaks occur, carefully tighten the connections until there are no leaks or remove the head and apply additional Teflon tape.