| Of all the home plumbing repairs you could tackle, the | | | | buildup that may make removal difficult. If the fixture |
| replacement of an old showerhead with a new one is | | | | does not readily unscrew, use two sets of pliers |
| probably the easiest. A shower plumbing project is a | | | | wrenches (with the jaws of each protected as |
| good starter project for a number of reasons. No | | | | indicated above), one set on the stem and the other |
| special tools are required, the necessary parts are | | | | on the fixture. Apply equal pressure to both sides to |
| pretty close to one size fits all, and if you do make a | | | | until the showerhead starts to move. Be careful not |
| mistake and have a leak, the only thing that gets | | | | to apply too much force as you do not want to |
| wet is your shower/bathtub. This is the perfect | | | | break either the stem or existing showerhead. Once |
| project for the novice home repair handyman to | | | | the shower head starts to turn you should be able to |
| start with and can usually be completed in well under | | | | remove it by hand. |
| an hour. | | | | Clean and prepare the stem pipe - A little preparation |
| The first step is to decide what type of shower | | | | here could save you quite a bit of time later if you |
| head you want to replace. While most shower | | | | decide to replace the showerhead again. Clean the |
| fixtures connect to a standard size pipe thread, you | | | | threads of the stem of any rust or lime and apply |
| must make sure you have enough clearance for your | | | | teflon tape to the threads. This will help the new |
| new showerhead. If the stem (the portion of the | | | | showerhead install easily, provide a good seal, and |
| pipe from the wall to the existing shower head) is | | | | make it easier in the future if you ever have to |
| short or close to the ceiling you will want to check | | | | replace the shower head again. |
| before purchasing a large fixture. | | | | Install the New Shower - If you selected a simple |
| The Tools You Need - For this project, you will need | | | | replacement showerhead all that remains to be done |
| a wrench or pliers and some teflon tape. Depending | | | | is to screw the new fixture onto the prepared pipe |
| upon the age of your existing fixture, you may also | | | | stem. Make sure not to over-tighten when you are |
| need to have a pipe wrench on hand as well. You | | | | installing this - hand tight plus a quarter or half turn is |
| may also want to have something available protect | | | | probably all you need. If you have purchased a more |
| your fixture from the jaws of the wrench or pliers (a | | | | sophisticated fixture like a shower massage wand |
| folded rag or piece of rubber from an inner tube | | | | you may have a few pieces to install. Make sure that |
| work well) | | | | you apply teflon tape to all threaded connections |
| Remove the Old Showerhead - If you have an older | | | | (unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer) to |
| unit you probably have some rust, oxidation, or lime | | | | ensure a good seal. |