A good shower has different meanings to different people, and today’s showerheads deliver. They can sprinkle, spritz, swivel, and rain down in a gentle stream, straight spray, or powerful downpour. You’ll find shower heads designed for DIY homeowners to install that will attach to a standard shower arm. Take a walk through the plumbing department of any bath or home center, and you’ll see a dazzling array of shower heads. If your house has an old plumbing system, consider adding an anti-scald device that screws in between the shower arm and head. It’s a safety feature that will stop the flow of dangerously hot water over 120 degrees F.
To remove an old shower head and replace it with a moderately priced new one, a plumber will charge $255, which includes the labor and shower head. If you have some experience working with plumbing jobs and have the necessary tools, you can do the job for $75, the cost of a moderately priced new showerhead.
The job involves removing the old head using slip-joint pliers and adjustable wrench to unscrew it from the shower arm. You may need a lubricating spray to loosen it. Before installing the new head, clean the threads of the arm and wrap them with Teflon tape. Then use the pliers to tighten the new head on threads making sure there’s a rubber washer inside.
If you’re like many homeowners and intimidated by plumbing work, hire a licensed plumber to do the job and enjoy a carefree shower for years to come.
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Pro Cost—DIY Cost—Pro time—DIY Time—DIY Savings—Percent Saved
$255—$75—1.0—1.5—$180—71 percent
