Replace a Showerhead

Materials:

slip-joint pliers
adjustable wrench
Teflon tape
old leather belt
showerhead kit

1. Remove the existing showerhead. If it's caked with hard-water deposits, you may need to exert extra force. To prevent damaging the showerhead stem, dampen an old leather belt and wrap it around the base of the stem. Then tighten a pair of pliers over the belt to hold the stem in place (figure A). You may also need to use pliers or a wrench to remove the showerhead. After you remove the showerhead, clean off any corrosion or hard-water deposits.
2. Using Teflon tape, wrap the threads of the showerhead stem three times in a clockwise direction, stretching the tape as you go (figure B). Hand-tighten the adapter to the stem, and make sure the hose fitting points straight down.
   • Teflon tape does not use adhesive. Apply at least one layer of tape before you begin stretching it.

3. Hand-tighten the hose to both the adapter and the showerhead unit. The hose may appear misshapen, but it will straighten after hot water runs through it.

• To remove mineral deposits from your showerhead, soak it in warm white vinegar.
• If you want to use a hand-held unit in addition to your existing showerhead, you can install a diverter to switch back and forth between the two showerheads (figure C).