www.omnilocal.co.uk • Edition 42
DIY
Replacing a Shower head
Supplied by: Leanna Carl - Omni Local
What could be bad about a nice refreshing shower in the morning or after a workout? Nothing! - unless you have a faulty shower head. If you’re in need of a new one, here is how to install it yourself: What you may need: Shower head, teflon tape, pliers, adjustable wrench, towels, cloths, toothbrush 1. Turn the water supply off first - Make sure that all knobs are in the OFF position, then locate and shut off the valve connected to the shower. The valve should be oval-shaped and silver. This may be located under the sink, or in some cases it will have been installed inside the wall, which means you may need to shut off the whole water supply to your home, using the valve you’ll find in your utility room or cellar. 2. Lay down some towels or sheets - Put a towel on the shower floor or lay a towel across the bottom of the bath tub, to catch any loose pieces before they find their way down the plughole, and to protect the floor from any damages in the case of dropping tools. 3. Remove the shower head - Some shower heads are simple to unscrew, using just your hands. However, you can also remove the head using simple tools, if it has been fastened more securely. Wrap a cloth around the base of the shower head, then use a pair of pliers to grip the covered area securely. With an adjustable wrench, you can then clamp the base and twist off the shower head in an anti-clockwise motion until the shower head is removed. 4. Clean and replace the tape - Clean the neck of the shower using a damp cloth, or even a toothbrush for smaller, inner crevices. Make sure to wipe down the screw
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threads, removing any rust grime, or teflon remnants. Secure the threads with about 3 turns of teflon tape. Pull tightly as you wrap in a clockwise motion. Press the edges of the tape into each thread groove. 5. Fit your new shower head - Fit the shower head by twisting clockwise until secure. Once done, use the cloths, pliers and wrench to fasten tightly, as explained in step 3. Most shower heads should attach in the exact same way, whether you have a mounted or hand held shower, although hand-helds have an attached diverter below the head, and may require looking at the directions included. Once fitted, turn the water supply back on and run the water to check for leaks. If it does leak, you can reapply teflon tape to patch it up.