5 Tips for Replacing a Broken Shower Head

A shower head won’t last forever. Over time, it will develop calcium and lime buildup from the water, and you might even notice some natural corrosion. The good news is that you won’t need to hire a professional plumber to replace your shower head. With the right kit, plumbing parts, and accessories, the task can easily be accomplished as a DIY project. These tips will also help you get you started on installing a new showerhead.

Tip#1: How to prepare the area

Turn off the shower faucets. For safety, you can consider turning off the main water valve, too.

Tip #2: How to replace the shower head

Once everything is turned off, remove the current shower head using a wrench. Turn counter clockwise on flat spots at the base of the fixture, right on the pipe nipple. That’s where the head screws into a gooseneck pipe (the part that sticks out of the wall). After removal, you might see some debris on the goose neck, so clean them thoroughly.

After cleaning, wrap the goose neck threads in Teflon tape, which will help prevent leakage. Wrap around four to five turns clockwise. Avoid extending the tape over the threaded area so it won’t show. Press the tape gently into the threads to finish. After that, you can screw the new head onto the goose neck.

Tip #3: What to do when there’s no washer in the shower head kit

Some shower heads may have a rubber washer while others won’t. It’s a matter of personal choice. If yours doesn’t have any, screw the showerhead onto the goose neck arm and use your hands to tighten firmly. Test by turning the water on. Water should flow smoothly without leaks.

If you got a kit with a washer, place the rubber washer directly into the head. Take the shower head and screw it on the goose neck and use your hands to tighten as much as possible. Then, check for leaks and tighten as needed.

Tip #4: What to do if there are leaks

Tighten the head with a wrench if you don’t have a washer in the package. Do this safely by placing a cloth under the wrench, so the tool won’t damage the shower head. Test again until you find no leaks.

For shower head kits with a rubber washer, use only your hands to tighten. Don’t use a wrench, as it could potentially push the water inside the shower arm.

Tip #5: Buy your supplies from Danco

It’s easy to replace an old shower head by yourself as long as you get the right products from Danco. We carry a wide range of shower heads in different finishes, as well as plumbing accessories and the shower head diverter in case you need that for your tub.

Alex Jones is a well versed author, who has explored several new destinations and likes to write blogs to share his experiences and knowledge.