If you'd like to increase your shower's usefulness, install a hand-held unit. The process is simple, and the units are ideal for homeowners who have pets, small children or handicapped family members. Materials: Slip-joint pliers
Adjustable wrench
Teflon® tape
Old leather belt
Showerhead kit
- 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. To remove mineral deposits from your showerhead, soak it in warm white vinegar.
- Using Teflon tape, wrap the threads of the showerhead stem three times in a clockwise direction, stretching the tape as you go (figure B). Teflon tape doesn't use adhesive. Apply at least one layer of tape before you begin stretching it. Hand-tighten the adapter to the stem, and make sure the hose fitting points straight down.
- 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.
Tip: If you want to use a hand-held unit in addition to your existing showerhead, install a diverter to switch back and forth between the two showerheads (figure C).
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