While you may be able to replace your shower faucet without the help of a professional plumber, it is important to make sure you understand all the steps involved. This guide will walk you through the process of replacing your shower faucet, from gathering all the necessary tools and materials to finishing up the job. With these easy-to-follow instructions, you will have a working faucet in no time.
What You’ll Need
- Old towel
- Small screwdriver
- Channel locks
- Teflon tape
- Pliers
- Allen wrench
Step 1: Prepare the area
Before you begin, place your tools on a towel or drop cloth close to the shower. To prevent small parts from rolling away into the drain, you can also place a damp cloth or towel over the drain.
Step 2: Shut off the water
Identify the main shut-off valve for your home’s plumbing and turn it off. This will ensure that no water is running during the repair process.
Step 3: Remove the old showerhead
A screw often attaches the shower head to the pipe running through the wall. To remove it, use a pair of pliers to turn counterclockwise until it becomes loose and can be pulled off.
Step 4: Remove the old shower handles and faucet
How you remove your shower faucet will depend on the style, make, and model of your faucet, but typically you will need to unscrew the handles and remove them from the wall. You can use a small screwdriver to remove the covers that may be over the faucet handles in some cases. In other cases, there might be a set screw beneath the handle that can be removed using an Allen wrench of the appropriate size.
Step 5: Keep removing parts
After removing the cover or handle, you will be able to access the parts and components located beneath them. These parts can be either unscrewed or pulled out depending on your kind of shower faucet. You should keep removing the parts until you finally reach the shower valve, i.e., the plumbing pipe that marginally protrudes out of the wall.
Before removing the faucet, make sure to check whether there’s a set screw that requires removal. After that, you can use a rag and channel locks to unscrew the faucet by turning counterclockwise.
If your new shower faucet is compatible with the existing shower faucet, the process is relatively straightforward. However, if your new shower faucet is not compatible with the existing shower faucet, then you will need to replace the shower valve as well as some of the plumbing parts in the wall. This may require the help of a professional plumber if you do not have the appropriate tools and knowledge.
Step 6: Install the new handles and shower faucet
Once all the parts are removed, it is time to install your new shower faucet. To begin, read the instructions on the package of your new shower faucet carefully to ensure you install it correctly. After that, attach the handles and shower head with the screws provided in the package. First, if the new faucet cannot use the existing cartridge, take out the old one and replace it. Install the cover or sleeve and attach the handle according to the manufacturer’s manual. Once everything is in place, move on to the next step. Attach the faucet to the adapter and tighten it in place.
Step 7: Install the new showerhead
To install the new shower head, place some Teflon tape clockwise on the threads of the shower arm. Then, attach the new shower head to the arm and tighten it in place by turning it clockwise. Tighten further using a rag and pliers.
Step 8: Turn on the water and look out for leaks
Once everything is installed, turn the main shut-off valve for your home’s plumbing back on and test out your newly installed shower faucet. Make sure that there is no water coming out of any of the connections and look for any leaks or drips. If you find any, tighten the connection further until it stops.
Now you have your new shower faucet installed. With these easy-to-follow instructions, you can replace your shower faucet in no time without having to call a professional plumber. Enjoy your new shower faucet.
However, if you feel overwhelmed at any point during the process, you should always consult a professional plumber to help you with the installation. They will be able to provide additional advice and assistance if needed. They also have the tools and experience to help you with more complicated installations. This will save you time and money in the long run.
Contact Bienvenu Brothers For Help
If you need help replacing your shower faucet, contact Bienvenu Brothers. We provide professional plumbing services from installation to maintenance for all of our clients. Our team of experienced plumbers will ensure that your shower faucet is installed quickly and correctly so you can get back to enjoying your bathroom in no time. Contact us today at (504) 835-7783 to schedule an appointment.