Installing a shower head: the complete step-by-step guide

Replacing a shower head is without doubt the simplest task in all of plumbing, but also the one where you see the most badly adjusted leaks. A shower head clogged with limescale distributes the water in uneven jets and often hides an insufficient flow rate. Whether you install an eco shower head or a rain shower model, a few precautions are enough for a perfect result: choosing the right thread, fitting the gaskets and checking the watertightness.

Choosing the right shower head

• The standard shower head: 1/2 inch threaded fitting, compatible with most hoses
• The rain shower head: large diameter, often to be recessed or fixed to the ceiling
• The eco shower head: built-in flow restrictor, ideal for reducing your water bill
• The anti-limescale model with silicone nozzles, easy to clean by rubbing with your finger

Before buying, check three points: the thread of your hose (1/2 inch in almost all cases), the diameter of the hand shower you want to replace, and the pressure of your installation. A 20 cm diameter rain shower head requires a minimum pressure to stay comfortable: if your shower is fed by a small water heater or low pressure, prefer a smaller diameter model. Shower heads equipped with several modes (massage jet, rain, mist) scale up more, but silicone nozzles are cleaned simply by rubbing them with your finger under water.

The necessary tools

• The new shower head and its supplied sealing ring
• A pair of water pump pliers, covered with a cloth so as not to scratch the chrome
• PTFE tape in case of a worn thread
• A bucket or basin to catch the residual water
• White vinegar to descale the old shower head if you plan to keep it

Removing the old shower head

1. Turn off the water at the mixer valve and let it run for a few seconds to drain.
2. Hold the hand shower with one hand and unscrew the shower head with the other, anticlockwise.
3. If the thread is seized, wrap a cloth around it and use the water pump pliers.
4. Inspect the old shower head's gasket: if it is crushed, it is the cause of the leaks.
5. Catch the residual water in the bucket.

Installing the new shower head

1. Place the sealing gasket in the shower head's ring, if it is not already integrated.
2. Screw the shower head on by hand turning clockwise, without forcing.
3. Tighten an extra quarter turn with the pliers, protected by a cloth.
4. Check the orientation: the shower must aim at the showering area, not the wall.
5. Open the mixer valve and test the shower and jet positions to check the watertightness.

Maintaining your shower head to keep it effective

A shower head scales up within the first months in a hard water area. Soak it overnight in diluted white vinegar once a month to dissolve the limescale, and rub the silicone nozzles to free clogged jets. A well-maintained shower head keeps its nominal flow rate for years; if it flows in a short, uneven jet despite descaling, it is time to replace it.

For a full descale, pour two volumes of white vinegar for one volume of water into a plastic bag, fix the bag around the shower head with an elastic band leaving it immersed, and leave it to work overnight. In the morning, remove the bag and run the hot water for a few seconds to flush out the residue. This method avoids dismantling the shower head each time and preserves the chrome finish, which pure acid would attack over time.

The mistakes to avoid

• Over-tightening the shower head, which cracks the plastic ring
• Forgetting the sealing gasket, the number one source of leaks
• Using a metal wrench directly on the chrome, which leaves scratches
• Installing a rain shower head on a fixed hand shower without checking the hose compatibility

The water savings of a good choice

An eco shower head fitted with a flow regulator consumes on average 6 to 8 litres per minute instead of 12 to 15 for a standard model. For a family of four, the saving can exceed 20,000 litres a year, i.e. several dozen euros on the bill. Some certified models display their consumption directly on the packaging: compare it before buying. Be careful however with ultra-economical shower heads, which can make the shower unpleasant if your incoming pressure is already low; in that case choose a model with adjustable flow.

Installing or replacing a shower head takes less than ten minutes and only requires a pair of pliers and a well-placed gasket. The right thread, reasonable tightening and a new gasket are enough for a perfect seal. If you take the opportunity to choose an anti-limescale or eco model, you gain both comfort and on your water bill.