How To Install A Wall Mounted Shower Arm

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There may come a time when your shower head just doesn't cut it anymore. Installing a new wall-mounted shower head only requires a few simple tools and a little chip of effort. Do the prep work for installation past turning off the water supply and preparing your piece of work area. Remove the quondam shower caput, so seal the pipe threading with Teflon record and screw on the new head. Select the right shower head past finding a suitable one through online sellers and past prioritizing metal materials, like chrome and brass.

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Gather your supplies. The shower arm that comes out of the wall and connects to the shower head can be replaced if necessary. Most shower heads are sold separately from arms, though both tin can exist found at a hardware store, forth with the following needed tools and supplies:^[ane]
- Pipe wrench
- Thread seal record (Teflon tape)
- Towels (at least 2)
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Make sure the faucet is off. Though it may seem obvious, make sure the faucet for the shower is completely turned off. There's no need to close off the h2o valve itself—in that location won't be water going to the shower caput as long as the faucet is off.

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Fix your work area. Shut the drain to your shower. This will forbid dropped fasteners and other modest pieces of hardware from being lost downward the drain. Lay down a towel over closed drain so that anything that falls doesn't bounce off the floor or tub, but instead is cushioned by the towel.^[ii]
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Remove the shower arm, if desired. Removing the shower arm is non necessary for installing a wall-mounted shower head. However, in some situations the original shower arm might not adjust changes in bathroom décor, or it might simply exist time for an upgrade. To remove the shower arm:
- Use your bare hands to loosen the shower arm by turning information technology counterclockwise. If it'southward corroded, spray WD-xl onto the threaded connection and let it sit for a few minutes before loosening information technology.
- Apply an adjustable wrench or pipe wrench to the shower arm if it refuses to turn by manus. Use moderate, steady, counterclockwise force until the arm comes gratuitous.^[3]
- Insert the replacement shower arm by turning information technology clockwise into the fitting.
- If you supercede the shower arm, you should also replace the trim band (also known as an escutcheon). Though information technology's held in identify with caulk, y'all should be able to sideslip it off.
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Remove the shower caput. If you plan on keeping your current shower arm, wrap a dry out, clean towel around the base of the arm where it meets the wall. Grip the arm at this betoken with your wrench so the towel protects the arm from damage. Hold the arm in place with the wrench and unscrew the head counterclockwise by hand.
- For stubborn shower heads, wrap the head in a make clean cloth to protect the metal's finish. Grip and plough the head with a suitable wrench, pair of channel locks, or pair of pliers with firm, steady pressure until the head comes loose.^[4]
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Wrap the threading on the shower arm in Teflon tape or apply thread articulation chemical compound. Make clean the threading of the shower arm with a suitable general purpose cleaner and a fresh towel. Remove any Teflon tape or joint chemical compound from the previous installation. Wipe the fixture dry with the towel. So, wrap the threads of the shower arm in Teflon tape or utilise thread joint compound.
- Teflon record should be applied to threading in a clockwise direction. Wind the record two to three times effectually the bottommost threads of the shower arm.
- In some cases, the Teflon record might non sink into the threading. Use your fingernail to push button the tape into the threading.
- Some varieties of shower head may not require Teflon tape. Always follow the installation notes that came with the shower head for best results.^[five]
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Assemble the shower head, if necessary. Some shower heads may come with multiple pieces, extensions, or other features. Most normally, a rubber washer will back-trail your washer head. This inserts into the shower arm connector for the head.^[6]
- A diagram of how to insert the condom washer into the shower head can usually exist institute on the packaging of the shower caput or in the instructions that came with it.
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Spike the shower head to the arm. Replace the trim ring (or escutcheon), then screw the shower head clockwise onto the taped threading at the arm'due south end. Do then slowly to prevent the threads from crossing or bounden, which can damage the Teflon record. When hand-tight, wrap a piece of material effectually the connectedness to protect the metal's finish from being scratched. With a suitable wrench or pliers, tighten the connector a quarter turn more than.
- Avoid over-tightening your shower head. This can damage the threading or the connection nut, which tin can cause leaks.^[7]
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Bank check for leaks. Release the shutoff valve to resupply your shower with water. Bank check your shower for leaks. Plough the shower on and off. Adapt the shower caput. Turn off the water supply if water leaks from the connection between the shower arm and head.^[8]
- Place a towel over the connector between the shower arm and caput and apply business firm, steady pressure with a wrench to tighten information technology until leaks cease.
- If leaks practise not appear to be lessening every bit you tighten the connexion, you lot may demand to unscrew the caput, remove and reapply the Teflon record, and repeat the described installation process upwardly to this point.
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Add finishing touches and enjoy your new shower caput. If you lot've installed a new shower arm, you may need to use plumber's putty to seal the space betwixt the arm and the wall. This protects the wall from moisture impairment. Apply the putty according to its characterization instructions. Enjoy your new shower caput.^[9]

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Find a wide selection through online sellers. An online keyword search for "shower heads" will yield results from major home centers, like Home Depot, to online just marketplaces, like Amazon. These online selections are ofttimes sizable, but some items may appear more than desirable than they actually are.^[ten]
- Call around to local hardware stores, home centers, and plumbing supply companies to check if you can see the shower head in person, where you'll take a amend opportunity to evaluate its quality.
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Prioritize metal shower heads. As a general dominion, metal shower heads tend to exist improve than plastic ones. Chrome finish and contumely in the construction are good indications of quality. Metal hoses, for shower heads with hose attachments, stay flexible instead of condign stiff like well-nigh kinds of plastic hose.
- Chrome and brass do not rust, which makes these materials ideal for your shower head. These fixtures may be slightly more expensive, but will likely last longer and operate better.^[11]
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Save coin with a greenish shower head. Some shower heads, like low-flow models, are designed to exist water and energy efficient. These can save you money on water and electric bills. Green shower heads generally install similarly to normal models.^[12]
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Opt for a shower head with a filter if desired. If you have hard water or are concerned about chemicals in the water, y'all tin can purchase a shower head with a filter. This ensures that the water coming out of the shower caput is clean and pure.

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If your shower head doesn't provide enough water pressure, remove the h2o restrictor. This is a round, plastic piece with a hole in information technology, found in the threaded connector that fastens to the shower arm.
Use several layers of plastic tape, similar electrical tape, on shower hardware to protect tools from damaging its finish.

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