How to Replace a Shower Head
Published May 10, 2025 · Updated March 1, 2026
Upgrading a shower head is one of the simplest home improvements — it takes 15-30 minutes, requires no plumbing knowledge, and a new water-efficient head can cut shower water use by 30-50%.
What You'll Need
🛠 Tools
📦 Materials
Step-by-Step Instructions
Turn Off the Water
Turn off the shower valve — you only need to stop water flow, not shut off the main supply. Run the shower briefly to release any remaining water pressure in the line.
Remove the Old Shower Head
Wrap an old rag or cloth around the connection fitting where the shower head meets the shower arm (the pipe from the wall). Grip the fitting with your adjustable wrench over the cloth and turn counterclockwise. Hold the shower arm still with your other hand — do not let it rotate.
Always hold the shower arm still while turning. Allowing the arm to spin can twist or crack the pipe inside the wall, turning a 30-minute project into a major plumbing repair.
Clean the Threads
Once the old head is off, examine the threads on the shower arm. Remove any old Teflon tape and mineral deposits with a rag. If threads are damaged, a plumber's tap set can re-cut them, but visible damage is uncommon. Clean threads are essential for a leak-free seal.
Apply Teflon Tape
Starting at the very end of the threads and working toward the wall, wrap 3-4 layers of Teflon tape clockwise around the shower arm threads (clockwise when looking toward the wall). Overlap each layer slightly and press the tape firmly into the thread grooves with your fingernail.
Always wrap clockwise. If you wrap counterclockwise, the tape unwinds as you tighten the shower head onto it, defeating its purpose. A good mental model: wrap in the same direction you'll be turning when tightening.
Install the New Shower Head
Thread the new shower head onto the arm by hand, turning clockwise. Hand-tighten as far as it comfortably goes, then use the wrench (still over a cloth to protect the finish) to tighten one additional full turn past hand-tight. Do not over-tighten — this can crack fittings.
Test for Leaks
Turn on the shower and run it for a full minute. Check the connection at the arm carefully. A slow drip means the seal is incomplete — turn off the water, unthread the head, add another 1-2 wraps of Teflon tape, and reinstall.
If your new shower head has a flow restrictor (a small plastic insert inside the inlet) and you find the pressure inadequate, it can be removed with needle-nose pliers. However, be aware this increases water consumption.
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