Install a new shower head without wrecking the pipe
Quick answer
Wrap the shower arm with a rag, unscrew the old head counterclockwise, and put fresh thread tape on clockwise. Hand-tighten the new head, then snug it about a quarter turn with a wrench. Most swaps take about 15 minutes.
Fifteen minutes, two tools, and one roll of tape. This is the first win every new homeowner should collect.
This guide is general information and is awaiting technical review by Pando Plumbing. Always follow your fixture manufacturer's instructions.
Tools
- Adjustable wrench
- Channel-lock pliers
Supplies
- New shower head
- PTFE thread seal tape
- Old rag
Before you start
- Have the new shower head unpacked with its washer seated.
- Lay a towel in the tub or shower pan to catch dropped parts and protect the finish.
- Wrap a rag around the shower arm before any pliers touch it.
Steps
- 1
Protect the shower arm
Wrap a rag around the pipe coming out of the wall before you grab it with pliers. That chrome scratches if you look at it wrong, and a bent arm turns a 15-minute job into a drywall job.
- 2
Unscrew the old head counterclockwise
Hold the shower arm steady with the pliers and turn the head with the wrench. Two hands, opposite directions. If it will not budge, warm water and patience beat brute force.
- 3
Clean and re-tape the threads
Scrape off the old tape and mineral crust. Wrap fresh thread tape three to four times clockwise, the same direction the new head will thread on, so it tightens instead of unspooling.
- 4
Hand-tighten, then a quarter turn
Thread the new head on by hand until it stops, then snug it with the wrench about a quarter turn. Overtightening cracks plastic fittings, snug is the target, not gorilla.
- 5
Test and adjust
Run the shower and watch the threads for drips. A weep at the joint means one more quarter turn or one more wrap of tape. Dry after two minutes means you are done.
Common mistakes
- Gripping the bare shower arm with pliers and scratching or bending it.
- Wrapping tape counterclockwise so it unspools as the head threads on.
- Overtightening and cracking a plastic fitting.
- Leaving old tape and mineral crust on the threads.
Final check
Run the shower for two minutes and wipe the joint. Dry means you are done; a weep means one more quarter turn or one more wrap of tape. If the shower arm turns inside the wall, stop and call Pando.
Plumber's tip
If your water pressure feels weak afterward, pop the flow restrictor out and soak the face plate in white vinegar overnight. Utah water leaves serious scale.
Stop and call Pando if...
The shower arm turns inside the wall, you hear a knock in the pipe, or you see water staining the ceiling below.