Replacing a Shower Head is a fairly easy job if you have patience and a pipe wrench. Take your time, check to make sure that the faucets are completely off and you have a traction mat in place if you are planning on standing in the bathtub.
For a Shower Head replacement you will need a pipe wrench, a towel or length of electrical tape, and plumber’s tape.
In order to remove the old Shower Head, grasp the shower arm firmly and slowly unscrew the Shower Head counter clockwise using a pipe wrench. If the Shower Head sticks because of rust or lime scale buildup, try using two pipe wrenches, one on the gooseneck end and the other on the nut, working them in opposite directions.
For this job you won’t have to turn off the water, but make sure that the area where you are standing is dry. If you are planning on reusing the Shower Head in another bathroom, protect the finish by wrapping it in a towel or length of electrical tape before you start working.
You will be reusing the shower arm, so clean it thoroughly. There may be old plumber’s tape, rust, and lime scale on the threads, so go over it with vinegar or a scale remover. Remove stubborn mineral deposits by saturating a cloth with vinegar and tying it over the threads for a few hours.
When the threads are clean and have dried completely, wrap them with Teflon plumber’s tape, winding it in a clockwise direction. Plumber’s tape will help make a tight, leak proof seal. Screw the replacement Shower Head onto the arm, being careful to match up the threads. Turn until you feel some resistance, but don’t use force. After you’ve tightened the new Shower Head, test it for leaks and do any additional tightening that might be necessary.
If your best rated shower head came with a washer as part of the assembly, use caution not to tighten it too much. It’s easy to accidentally push the washer out of position if you use too much force. Just keep making small adjustments until there are no leaks.