Monday 11 September 2017

Guest Post: How to Replace a Leaky Shower Head Like an Expert

How to Replace a Leaky Shower Head Like an Expert

A leaky shower faucet is a problem that should be dealt with sooner rather than later. The constant dripping of water from a worn-out shower head can waste a huge amount of water over time. This adds an unnecessary expense to your household energy bill that can be easily avoided.

Shower leaks are usually caused by the wear and tear of an old shower head. As a shower head begins to dry out over time, it becomes brittle which weakens its ability to hold in water. If your shower head won’t stop dripping, it’s best to buy a shower head replacement and fix the problem yourself.

Fixing a leaking shower faucet by yourself is actually a quick and easy task. All you need is a few basic tools, and you’re ready to go. Follow these simple steps to replace your leaky shower head like an expert.

1.     Examine the leak
Determine whether or not you feel confident doing this task yourself. Even though it’s a relatively easy problem to fix, if you don’t feel confident in your abilities you should call in a plumber to ensure you don’t cause any further damage.


How to replace a leaky shower head


2.     Gather all Tools
If you decide that you’re up for the job, there are a few basic tools you will need to replace your leaky shower faucet, including an adjustable wrench, a blanket or towel, some Teflon tape, and a new shower head. These items are available at most home improvement stores.


DIY at home


3.     Turn Off Shower
Make sure the shower is turned off completely and check that the knobs are secured tightly. It’s usually not necessary to turn off the water supply when replacing a leaky shower faucet with a new one.

DIY projects in the bathroom



4.     Lay Down a Blanket or Towel
Next, lay down a blanket or towel on the shower floor. This will stop any small shower head bits from accidentally falling down the drain. It will also protect the floor surface from any falling materials and tools.

How to replace a leaky shower head


5.     Remove the Shower Head
Take your wrench and grip it around the notch of your existing shower head. Most shower heads can be easily loosened up and removed by giving it a few counter-clockwise turns. If you’re finding it difficult getting the shower head off, make sure that you are gripping the wrench at the very end of the handle to get more torque. But don’t give it too much force. You should always be careful with the amount of pressure you use when making electrical and plumbing repairs.


Tutorial on how to change a shower head




6.     Remove Excess Material
After removing the old leaky shower faucet, you may notice some excess material like dirt, plumber’s tape around the pipe or leftover rubber gaskets. Using a rag, remove all the excess material and residue so that you can get a clean new start.


Step by step - how to change a shower head

7.     Wrap the Shower Arm with Tape
The next step is to wrap the threads of the shower arm with a couple layers of Teflon tape. Wrap the tape as tight as you can in a clockwise direction so that the threads are embedded properly. Smoothen out the tape along the threads using your finger.


How to replace a leaky shower head



8.     Attach the Replacement Shower Head
Take your brand-new shower head and insert it onto the shower arm. Using your hand, twist it clockwise as far as it can go to secure it into place. Make sure not to over tighten the shower head, as this can cause damage. This simple procedure is used no matter what type of replacement shower head you are attaching.


DIY home projects

9.     Turn on Water & Check for Leaks
Now it’s time to see how successful your shower head replacement project has been. Turn the shower back on and check for any leaks around the seal of the shower head. If you do find leaks, turn the shower off again and reapply the Teflon taping. Try tightening the shower head a bit more and test it again, but make sure not to over tighten it.



Shower head replacement tutorial