Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    dtwill01's Avatar
    dtwill01 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Mar 7, 2011, 12:48 PM
    Trying to replace shower head but when I took old one off it has no threads
    My old shower arm has no threads on it when I took old shower head off I think it was glued on... so do I replace old shower arm if so how is it done?
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Mar 7, 2011, 01:08 PM

    You will likely have to unscrew from the wall, and thread in a new piece.
    I would use Teflon tape, A plumber may suggest a more correct method.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #3

    Mar 7, 2011, 05:53 PM

    Purchase a new shower head and arm, some pipe thread joint compound and a 1/2" PVC threaded pipe cap.

    Unscrew old shower arm from drop ell (inside the wall). You can use a pair of channel lock pliers or small pipe wrench to the that

    Coat the threads on the new shower arm with the pipe joint compound. Some people prefer Teflon tape. I prefer pipe joint compound. Seems to lubricate and seal the threads better.

    Screw the shower arm into the drop ell by hand. Then insert a long Philips screw driver in the end of the shower arm and use that to tighten shower arm in further. The screw driver extends the length of the bent section and increases your leverage. Tighten by rotating the screw driver in a circulation fashion. A pipe wrench or pliers will scar up the chrome. You could use a strap wrench but the smooth chrome surface makes it slip easily. If you do use a strap wrench, wrap some duct tape around the shower arm so that the strap grips better.

    By rotating the screwdriver in the end of the arm in a circular fashion you should be able to tighten the arm sufficiently.

    Remember, it is highly desirable that the shower arm point down toward the tub and not up toward the ceiling. With each rotation you will have to decide whether you can make another full turn. If you find that you have tighten past the downward position but cannot make the full turn, unscrew the arm, re-coat the threads with additional joint compound and start over. If you just unscrew the arm a partial turn you are likely to have a leak.

    Screw the pipe cap on the end of the arm hand tight. Turn on the water and check for leaks around the drop ell. By capping off the shower arm you will have created the maximum water pressure that will ever be on that joint. If it is going to leak it will be now.

    Remove pipe cap and screw on the shower head.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Rain shower head & handheld shower head problem [ 4 Answers ]

I have a shower with 2 pipes for showers heads (one on the wall in front, and one on a side wall). The wall in front has a rain shower head on it. The wall to the side has a hand held shower head attached. The pipe with the hand held shower attached has a push button valve to turn the handheld on...

Replace shower head stem [ 2 Answers ]

Hi, I have a leak on the shower head. I have followed instruction how to remove the stem and used core puller cartridge for Moen. There is no luck. Do you know any plumber who live in orlando fl, that you can refer? Thank you

Broken shower arm at threads [ 4 Answers ]

I was changing out my shower head and gently using a wrench to tighten the new shower head. It was not tightening it very hard, but the shower arm broke off right at the threads. About 1/2 of the threads came off inside the new shower head female end. It was no problem to get those out, but now...

Shower head leaking from bottom of head [ 1 Answers ]

I am trying to install a new hand held shower head and I put a washer into the wall part and stopped it from coming out of there but now the water sprays out of the bottom of the head instead of coming out of the actual head

Replace shower Plumbing Valve assembly shower head 2 knobs [ 3 Answers ]

In a fiberglass corner shower shell. What I have is an old leaking rusted Shower valve assembly. It leaks from the Shower head that is a hand sprayer with a wall mount from the sprayer. It also leaks around the both the hot and cold water wall mount knobs. The cold water knob the sleeve that...

View more questions Search