Installing a handheld shower head involves gathering a few materials, dislodging the old shower head, getting ready the existing shower arm learn more
Handheld showerheads also called moveable shower heads in the faucet industry are quite popular among consumers. One great convenience of these shower heads is you can spray a stream of hot water directly on your sore joints. Shower heads of different brands are available in the market. You can attach any of the design with your existing shower arm. A shower arm is a short bent pipe that comes out of the wall. The showerhead is attached to this short bent pipe. Shower heads can also be attached to a tub faucet.
Materials required to install a shower a head
- Adjustable wrench
- Plumbers’ tape
- Handheld showerhead
- Tub spout with diverter
- Hex key
- A piece of leather or heavy cloth
Separate the old shower head
Separate the old showerhead using a wrench or pliers. The old showerhead has nuts. Loosen these nuts by turning them counterclockwise. This turning process will also loosen the showerhead. Remove it from the shower arm but do not discard it since you can use it elsewhere. Wrap it with a piece of cloth or leather and keep it in your storeroom.
Get ready the existing shower arm
Clean the shower arm to get it free from plumber’s tape and mineral deposits. Wrap the shower arm with plumber’s tape. This tape will ensure that the new showerhead will fit securely with the shower arm and will prevent leaking from the connection.
Attach the new handheld showerhead with the shower arm and tighten it.
Turn on the water supply of the handheld shower and make sure that no leaking is taking place at the connecting area where the showerhead is attached with the shower arm.
Installing a diverter
Installing a diverter will help you using both a handheld showerhead unit and your old showerhead. The diverter comes with two outlets- one for fitting for your existing showerhead and another for fitting a new unit of a handheld showerhead. Follow below step by step process to install a diverter.
- Fix the cross T diverter with the shower arm and tighten it.
- Attach your existing showerhead with one end of the T-diverter and tighten it.
- Attach one model of a handheld showerhead unit with the other end of the T-diverter and fasten it.
- Turn on the water supply and make sure that no leaking is taking place. If you see leaking at any of joining a place like the showerhead and the cross T diverter, fasten the connection with a wrench or pliers
Installing a tub spout diverter valve becomes essential when you want to add a showering facility with your tub but there is no showerhead there. Basically, this requires replacing your old tub spout with a new unit that is equipped with a hand shower diverter. Below are the step by step process of installing a tub spout diverter:
- Detach the existing tub spout with an Allen wrench.
- Purchase a new unit of diverter style tub spout.
- Wrap the diverter with plumber's tap. Then, attach the shower hose to the tub spout and tighten the connection
- Turn on the water and check the showerhead unit for leaks
- Turn on the water supply and examine the handheld showerhead for any leak. Like before if the hose, showerhead, or diverter are leaking, tighten the connection with a wrench or pliers.
While replacing or adding a handheld showerhead is a simple task, hiring a professional plumber is not a bad idea either. It is because as a DIYers and due to lack of experience you may mistake in this project which may ruin your shower stall. To avert any untoward incident and get the job done quickly, hiring a professional will not be so inexpensive.
How to replace a fixed model with a handheld showerhead
If your old showerhead becomes leaky and outworn, replacing it with a handheld showerhead will dramatically improve the appearance of your shower stall. Follow the below steps to replace your existing problematic fixed showerhead:
Turn off the water supply
There are two types of water supply in your home-local and mainline water supply. Sometimes local shutoff does not work. So, you need to resort to the main water supply. The likely place of your main water line supply switch will be in your basement or in your garage. Turn the water supply off. After turning off the water supply follow below procedure:
- Separate and disassemble the old piece
- Take a wrench and turn the old piece clockwise to loosen the connection and then remove it from the shower arm.
- Add a mounting bracket
- Connect the hose
- Connect the wand
- Make sure that the new handheld showerhead is not leaking water
If you are making a new bathroom or remodeling your existing one, replacing your old showerhead with a new handheld shower head will give you new showering experience. Your shower will be more efficient and comfortable.


