Replacing a Shower Head Is Easy With This Step-by-Step Guide (2024)

FAQs

What do I need to know before changing my shower head? ›

Before changing your shower head, turn off its water valve or shut off your home's main water supply. This will save you time and frustration while working on your shower head. Clean up any buildup or residue around the shower using a mild cleaner and cloth.

Turn the neck of the shower head counterclockwise to remove it. Be careful not to turn the pipe in the wall. Doing so can cause major damage to your plumbing. To avoid any issues, use a towel or a set of pliers to hold the extension arm in place.

Turn off the faucet to prevent water from escaping when the shower head is removed. Make sure the water faucet is off, but it's not necessary to turn off the water to the house.

If you're wondering “Is it easy to change a shower head?” this will be your moment of truth. For fixed shower heads, it's usually quite simple! Just screw it on over the teflon thread sealing tape, and make sure the connection is snug. That's it!

However, replacing a showerhead is a nice, simple piece of DIY that anyone can accomplish. Whilst things such as fitting a toilet may need a more experienced hand (but not necessarily!), you'll find replacing a showerhead and hose to be a breeze with the right guide.

As long as you have the shower arm plumbing coming from your ceiling or your wall, you can choose whichever shower head you want and mount your shower head wherever you want.

It is always best to use teflon tape when installing a shower head and that's why we include it at no extra charge with every shower head we sell.

If you are changing the faucet handle as well as the shower head then you should change the whole valve system. This is because the valve tends to get worn out from use over time. Because it's an involved project, you might as well change the whole system while you are in there to save trouble later.

You can damage the showerhead if you tighten it too much.

Most shower heads simply screw onto the threaded end of the shower pipe. Removing the shower head is really as easy as unscrewing this connection!

How much does it cost to replace a shower head? ›

Normal range: $100 - $450

The average cost to replace a showerhead is between $100 and $450 , with a national average of $260 . Budget more for dual showerheads and plumbing repair work.

Some experts recommend changing your showerhead at least once per year.

Do different shower heads affect water pressure? Yes, depending on which shower head you choose, they can increase the water pressure at the head itself in order to create a more powerful shower or decrease it to create a more gentle shower.

Shower Head Compatibility

Thankfully, yes. In the U.S. virtually every shower head has the same connection threading size, at ½” NPT. Be sure to read the installation instructions for the shower head you choose, too, and confirm whether you'll be able to do the upgrade yourself or if you'll need the help of a plumber.

Turn off the water supply. Unless you happen to have a separate cutoff valve installed in the bathroom, shut off the water to the whole house. Open up a faucet at a lower level in your home to relieve pressure in the lines and leave it open as you work.

Replacing an old shower stall is an approachable task for confident do-it-yourselfers. You should plan to set aside a day to complete the project. The steps for how to replace a shower vary depending on whether the old shower walls are nailed to the studs or glued on drywall.