Replacing the shower head in your shower, is an easy way to give your shower a new modern look, and even change the amount of water pressure you receive while taking showers. Shower head replacement is fairly simple and can be done with minimal hand tools, and a little pipe dope or plumbers tape.

It is easier to completely replace a showerhead than it is to try and take an old showerhead apart, clean it and then replace it. Unless you’re showerhead is a custom showerhead, the thread is pretty much universal for all showerheads to screw onto the shower head pipe that sticks out over the wall in your shower. Whether you’re choosing to install a chrome showerhead, a brushed nickel showerhead, or a plastic showerhead, they all pretty much install the same way.

You will need approximately 2 tools to get the job done correctly. A pipe wrench will be needed, and either an adjustable wrench, or adjustable pliers. First, fit and adjust the pipe wrench onto the showerhead pipe sticking out of the wall, behind the showerhead. Next take your adjustable pliers or wrench, and place it onto the nut on the back of showerhead. While holding the pipe wrench study, proceed to unscrew the showerhead from the pipe itself by turning counterclockwise. It is important that the showerhead pipe does not turn, to ensure that you will not have any leaks in the wall.

After you have unscrewed the shower head, you will need to put plumbers tape or Teflon tape on the threaded end of the shower head pipe sticking out of the wall. It is best wrap the plumbers tape clockwise around the threads going completely around the pipe two or three times. You can also add a little bit of pipe dope on top of the Teflon tape if you wish, however it is not necessary.

Now it’s time to install your new showerhead. Simply screw the new showerhead onto the showerhead pipe by turning it clockwise. Tighten it by hand as tight as you can, then use the adjustable wrench to tighten the showerhead the rest of the way while holding the showerhead pipe firmly with the pipe wrench. Do not overtighten! Snug is all it needs to be, if you turn on the shower and it leaks, then you can tighten some more.

Nows the time to turn on the shower and check for leaks. Shower head replacement is fairly quick, simple and easy, and is a great way to update your shower while even allowing yourself to have better water pressure with your new shower head. Remember to take your time, and make sure that you do the job right.