| Install a New Showerhead |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-203 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Q: I'm looking for an easier way to wash my dog. There's not enough pressure in the shower to get all the soap off. What can I do? A: (Brad Staggs, Ask DIY Home Repair Expert) This is actually a fairly simple problem to fix, because it's probably not the water pressure at all, but the fact that your shower head sits way above your head while the dog is down in the tub. So upgrade to a showerhead with a hose on it that allows you to take the showerhead low in the tub or to keep it at standard height. It's a simple procedure. Here's what you do: Materials:
Showerhead with hose and bracket
Electrical tape
Slip joint pliers
Adjustable wrench
Silicon and silicon gun
Torpedo level
Safety glasses
Teflon tape
- First, remove the old showerhead. Keep in mind that you don't want to scratch the chrome and you particularly don't want to put any torque on the pipe that leads from the shower head to the wall or it might break something inside the wall and that's a disaster. Use slip joint pliers, after covering its jaws with electrical or duct tape to keep them from scratching the chrome.
- Grip the pipe with the slip-joint pliers to keep it steady, then grab the shoulder of the shower head with an adjustable wrench and give it a half-turn to loosen it (figure A). Then loosen the rest by hand and take the head off.
- Install the bracket that allows you to position the shower head wherever you'd like it. First, wash the wall beneath the showerhead with rubbing alcohol to get rid of any gunk.
- Reinforce the screw holes with a dab of silicon on the side of the bracket that will attach to the wall (figure B). It will seal up the area where the two screws will enter the wall and keep water from leaking behind them.
- Use a torpedo level to position the bracket vertically between the two shower faucets. Make sure it's straight.
- Install the bracket on the wall with the strip of double-sided sticky tape that's on the back.
- Use a power drill to drill holes for both screws on the top and bottom of the bracket and then use a flathead screwdriver for the screws (figure C). Cover the screws with the caps provided for that purpose.
Safety Alert: Always wear safety eyewear when drilling. - Use Teflon tape to wrap the threads at the end of the shower head pipe. That will seal the threads against leaking water.
- Snap the hose end of the new shower head over the Teflon tape and tighten it the rest of the way with your hands (figure D). Insert the showerhead handle into the bracket and you're done!
More Questions for Brad:
Q: I'm remodeling the bathroom and the tub doesn't match the new colors. Do I have to replace it, or can I paint it?
A: You can do either, really. I myself would prefer to paint it with paint that's specifically designed for porcelain and enamel fixtures. It's available at the hardware store. If you can, try to spray it on instead of brushing it on or you'll get brush marks.
Q: There's water damage on my first floor ceiling. I think it's coming from the tub upstairs, but the tub isn't cracked or anything. Can you explain?
A: Probably it has to do with the plates that cover the areas behind your faucet handles. If the plumber's putty is missing or cracked, the water will leak into that area and down to the next floor. So check to make sure you have a nice tight seal there.
Q: How can I increase the water pressure in my shower?
A: There are devices you can put in your water line. Or get one of those cheap little showerheads. It won't increase the water pressure, but the surface area is so small it will feel like it did. Web site resources for Installing A New Showerhead: Install A Hand Shower from DIYNET.Com Adding a Hand-Held Shower Unit from Home Store.Com Books: Basic Plumbing With Illustrations
by Howard C. Massey
ISBN: 0934041997
Craftsman Book Company (1994)
6058 Corte Del Cedro
Carlsbad, CA 92009-9974
Phone: 760-438-7828 or 800-829-8213
E-mail: jacobs@costbook.com Complete Guide to Home Plumbing
by Black and Decker
ISBN: 0865737754
Creative Publishing Company (1998)
Box 9292
College Station, TX 77842-0292
Phone: 409-963-0808
Fax: 409-764-7758
Web site: www.earlywest.com
| 
)
)
)
)
)
