Is installing a new showerhead a relatively easy task?

[yvr girl]

How hard is it to do? What tools will I need?

[Liberal Veteran]

1. Piece of cake. Usually a pair of pliers is all you really need.

:)

[Auntie Bush]

8. Thanks...I wanted to know too. So now I'll do it!

[Worst Username Ever]

2. Extremely easy.

The old one should just twist off, and the new one should twist on. You may want to invest in a plumber's wrench and some plumber's tape (creates a seal).

[Coventina]

3. If you're my dad, it's impossibly difficult.

Sorry I don't have anything helpful to contribute.

Just had to joke about my dad's ineptitude.

[TrueAmerican]

10. Don't scratch the chrome

or whatever metal. Put a cloth between the wrench and the new shower head.

[ewagner]

4. Yep...pretty easy

Don't forget to get some teflon tape to put around the threads....

it works great!!!

[Texasgal]

5. It's very easy

You really need to make sure you have some vice grips handy, and a good decent wrench. I just did mine a few weeks ago, it's a water saver.... we are trying to be better environmentalists and trying to save on our bill too! :)

[physioex]

6. Yes very simple...

The key is to use teflon tape. Wrap some around the thread of your spigot, then put the shower head. You can pick up teflon tape at any hardware store..... Good Luck :hi:

On Edit: While you are removing and intalling the shower head, hold to the spigot to keep from putting any undo pressure....

[slackmaster]

7. Trivial - Adjustable wrench and/or pair of pliers

If you can't do it all with a wrench be sure to wrap some tape around the fittings to protect them from the jaws of your pliers.

Teflon tape on the threads will ensure a good seal without having to torque it down hard. It will also make it easier to remove later.

[MissB]

9. I may be stating the obvious

But of course you have to shut off the water first. :)

[physioex]

11. LOL......

You need to shut the water at your faucet, not for the whole house.

[yvr girl]

12. That's good, because I live in an apartment

and I don't have a clue how to shut off the whole water supply. I'm not even sure if I can.

[MissB]

15. You don't want to shut off the whole water supply

But since you live in an apartment, why isn't the property manager doing this?

If this isn't something you want to tackle, you could get them to do it. Or see if your local water utility installs free low-flow showerheads.

[physioex]

16. You'll do fine.....

Don't be afraid to try new things and learn. So you make some mistakes along the way, just learn from them..... :)

[AlCzervik]

13. it's fairly simple-follow the directions on the back of the package

with some shower heads you need teflon tape, with others you don't. I installed 3 celing fans in my house, you can do this no problem.

[HereSince1628]

14. It is not hard to do.

You will need

a new showerhead

and

Either a long-handled (a.k.a. goose-necked pliers)
or a vise-grip pliers

optional...you may want a roll of teflon tape.


The showerhead will unscrew from the pipe stem.

Imagine the showerhead to be clockface as you look directly at it...the 12 oclock position must be turned to the left (hence the phrase lefty-loosey) keep going until it spins off.

You are ready to put on the new showerhead.
If you want to .... wrap a piece of teflon tape onto the pipe stem...remember this should be wrapped clockwise as you face the pipe.


Now, start the new showerhead onto the threads of the pipe stem (looking at the showerhead, imagine it as a clock face and turn the 12 oclock position to the right--hence the phrase righty-tighty)

Once the threads seem to be aligned keep turning until it becomes snug and then turn it about _one half_ more turn with the pliers.

Thats about it.

Of course you can always opt for the:
"get someone with a package in the front of their underwear, promise a beer for the effort, and turn the ape loose" approach.

[yvr girl]

18. Thank you for the very specific instructions

If I had someone 'with a package in the front of their underwear' handy, I wouldn't need to ask the question.

[Osamasux]

17. The one trouble spot you can run into...

is the type of neck and shower head that is on there now. If it is the modern, threaded end type, this is as easy as everyone is saying. If it is the old ball type neck and head, you will probably have to replace the neck, too. (They don't make shower heads for them anymore that I have seen.)

The neck screws into an elbow inside your wall. That gets a lot more involved. Any slow leaks back there could lead to problems down the road. Since you probably would not see the leak, you won't know about it until a water stain appears on the ceiling downstairs.

If you take off the current head and bring it to the plumbing supply, they will let you know if the neck has to be changed. If it does, you can just put the current head back on if you decide not to change it.

[yvr girl]

19. mmmm....I live in an ancient building

this could be a problem. Thanks for the warning.