FixtureWise

Guides · Bathroom

How to replace a showerhead

Fixed or handheld spray head. Weak spray or mineral crust means it's time to descale or replace — a 10-minute upgrade with visible payoff.

Replacement cost
$8–$80
Typical lifespan
5 yrs
Maintenance
every 3 months
Difficulty
Easy

Why this is a beginner-friendly swap

Almost every US shower uses a standard 1/2-inch threaded arm, so new heads — fixed, rainfall or handheld with a bracket — screw straight on. The whole job is close the water, unscrew the old head, re-tape the threads and hand-tighten the new one. No disassembly behind the wall, which is exactly where DIY plumbing stops being casual.

What you need

The steps

One caution before you start: grip the shower arm with a wrench while loosening the old head so you do not twist the pipe inside the wall.

  1. Unscrew the old showerhead counter-clockwise (grip the arm with a wrench to avoid twisting the pipe).
  2. Clean the arm threads and remove old tape.
  3. Wrap 2-3 loops of fresh plumber's tape clockwise on the threads.
  4. Hand-tighten the new head, run water, and check the joint for drips.

Descale or replace?

Weak spray with an otherwise healthy-looking head is usually mineral crust, not a dead head. Try the bag-of-vinegar trick first: fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, secure it around the head so the nozzles soak, and scrub the face with an old toothbrush afterwards. The catalog suggests a quarterly descale and a monthly wipe of the nozzle face.

Swap instead when the finish is flaking, the spray pattern stays erratic after descaling, or you simply want a different spray type. Replacing the head is also the practical moment to switch between fixed and handheld setups — the wall-end plumbing stays the same.

Related

General guidance for typical US household fixtures — not professional advice. Cost figures are typical US parts-only ranges for orientation; actual prices vary by brand and region. If the arm turns with the head, a joint leaks after resealing, or you are unsure at any point, stop and consult a licensed plumber.