How to Install a Water-Saving Shower Head
If you have a leaky or outdated shower head in your bathroom, upgrading to a new water-saving – also known as ‘low-flow’ – shower head has a number of benefits. First, as many new shower heads use only 2.2 to 2.5 gallons per minute, you will immediately begin saving a bit of money on your utilities. Second, though it is a remarkably simple home improvement project, installing a new shower head can greatly approve the appearance of your entire bathroom. Lastly, even though many new shower heads emit water at a slower rate, you will have an improved experience after upgrading, especially if your old shower head isn’t working like it should.
Before you begin shopping for new shower heads, you might want to check the flow rate of your existing shower head. You can do this by holding a plastic bucket with gallon markings under a running shower. Using a stopwatch, time how long it takes to fill one gallon of water in your bucket. Next, to find your gallons per minute flow rate, divide 60 by the number of seconds to fill one gallon. For instance, if it takes 15 seconds to fill one gallon, your flow rate is 4 gallons per minute. If you calculate your flow rate to be 3.5 gallons per minutes or higher, your bathroom will certainly benefit from a new water-saving shower head.
If you want a true water-saving shower head, look for models with flow rates at or below 2.5 gallons per minute. Regardless of your preferences, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding such water-saving models with a variety of features – such as fine spraying, pulsating or massaging shower heads.
With your new shower head in hand, all you need are two simple items to complete this home improvement project:
- Teflon thread sealing tape
- A 12-inch adjustable wrench
Your new water-saving shower head can now be installed in three no-nonsense steps:
1. Get a firm grip on your shower’s water pipe and apply the wrench to the flat sides of the old shower head. With the wrench tightened, loosen the shower head by slowly turning counter-clockwise. After the shower head has loosened, unscrew it by hand.
2. Remove the existing sealing tape from the pipe threads. If the pipe is dirty, clean the threads and dry the surface thoroughly. When the pipe threads are completely dry, wrap new Teflon thread sealing tape clockwise around the pipe, starting at the open end of pipe and overlapping half the tape’s width as you go up.
3. With the sealing tape in place, simply thread your new shower head onto the pipe, turning clockwise until tight. Turn on the shower and check for leaks around the shower head. If any water leaks from the top of the shower head, use your wrench to tighten the new fixture. Rotate the wrench clockwise when tightening, not exceeding a half turn.
Installing a new water-saving shower head really is that easy. Considering the potential benefits of reduced water usage and utility costs, improved appearance for your bathroom and a superior showering experience, this simple renovation is the perfect weekend project for remodeling enthusiasts of all skill levels.
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