Is there an easy way to change a shower head?

Question

I just bought a new shower head (our old one is gross)-But it requires that you take the arm of the shower off. It has a ball head sprayer (?) that doesn't fit into the one that's already in there. I've looked everywhere on the net to find an easy way other than shear elbow grease-but can't find anything? Any suggestions would be much appreciated...short of hiring a professional plumber (don't have the $ for just for a stupid shower head)

Answer 1

Most shower heads disconnect at the arm. Are you sure that it's not just corroded where it screws onto the arm. You may want to try soaking it in some water with something like Lime-Away or CLR then seeing if you can remove the shower head. There should be the arm, then the female connector of the shower-head, then the ball joint of the shower-head in that order from the wall. Normally you can unscrew the female connector of the shower-head from the male connector of the arm. Remember, righty-tightie (clockwise), lefty-loosey (counter clockwise). You may need a pipe wrench to help remove the shower-head. Clean and wrap white teflon tape around the male connector of the arm before putting on your new shower-head.

Answer 2

Change your old Rain Shower Heads in 7 steps


· Turn off the rain shower heads water.
The first thing to do is turning off the water from the faucets to avoid the shoot the water. So make sure that the faucets are in the OFF position, which will stop the water not necessary to turn the water of the house off.
· Unscrew the old shower heads.
After turn the water off now you should remove the old shower head. You can do it manually, but if it has not been removed for decades, it will be hard to remove manually you will need wrench to remove it.
While you unscrew the old shower head take care to use a soft cloth around the neck protect the finish before using the wrench. Even if you will throw away the old one, the new may be broken or it is not suitable for the arm, you will need to screw the old one again.
· Remove excess dirt.

After removing the old shower head you may find gunk around the threaded pipe. You should dry the threads by using damp paper towel and wipe it to clean.

· The Teflon tape usage.
The tape is important because it helps to seal the connection between the pipe and the new shower heads. You should calculate how much Teflon tape you will need by checking the pipe threads. Tape is using to wrap around the threads and covering the width by half of the tape as you wrap up the threads. Begin from the base and wrap around clockwise twice, and continue around to reach the end of the threads. Smooth the tape into the threads by your finger.

Notices
1. If the tape was short, remove it and buy a new long one (it is inexpensive).
2. Wrap the Teflon tape clockwise is required, if not, the tape will unscrew when you screw your new rain shower heads.

· Screw your new shower head.
You can use your hands to screw the new rain shower heads clockwise on the taped pipe. The wrench is not recommended for the safe and faster attach (read the instructions).
· Turn the water on.
Turn the rain shower heads on from the shower faucets.
· Check for leaks.
If you found a leakage that’s mean that the shower head is not screwed enough, so turn of the shower faucet, tight the neck of shower heads 1/4 turn and recheck again.

Answer 3

Most just screw in, but it sounds like yours has been there for a while. First you may have to clear out around the pipe that goes into the wall. Then take a pipe wrench and twist counter clockwise. Use teflon tape with the new one and if the hole is big, may want to fill with clear silicon.

Good Luck

Answer 4

what kind of connection does it have to the arm?
If its a big nut then you are going to need a large monkey wrench. If there is a way to get parts of it off at another point lower more easily than I suggest a cheat. take the whole assembly to a hardware store with the piece you want to put on and play the damsel card. Give them both bits and tell them what needs to be change saying you dont know how and ask them if they could (bat eyelashes) please show you so that you could do it again if you need to change it later.

Answer 5

I couldn't follow you. If you are in Houston, tell me and I will fix it. These are easy. Look for a connection (female) that fits the male in of the new item. If you are confused, take a pic of it with your cell and show it the hardware strore guy.