The step-by-step guide to change the shower head is given below. This means that you will be able to easily - and without much complications - remove the ball head from the shower. Simply blow out or rinse under running water. Attach the shower head by threading the nut located on the arm, to the threads on the shower head until snug. Extreme cases require replacement of the ball fixture. Robert Ferguson has been a writer since 2000. All shower heads install basically the same way, simply by screwing the nut onto the threads of the shower arm. The escutcheon is a trim plate designed to conceal the hole where the shower arm enters the wall. Most types of shower heads sold today do not allow access to the ball fixture, because it is permanently sealed in the main body of the head. Replace it, and screw showerhead back into place. Hot Water Heater Leaking from Overflow Pipe. You can get a shower head filter in the market. I'm not sure if ball and socket is an actual term, but the shower head is attached to the wall with a ball that is supposed to move to allow one to easily adjust the shower head. Each layer should ⦠This type of shower head will help you to save water. Repeat this process until no more leaks are found. I have a ball-joint shower arm in a 31-yr old house. The function of a ball fixture in a shower head is to allow it to pivot or swivel to change the direction of the water flow. To replace a shower valve, start by unscrewing the shower handle and trim plate, so you can remove them. Wrap the jaws of slip-joint pliers with electrical tape or place a towel around the shower arm to protect the finish, and then grip the shower arm with the pliers. Next, you need to thread it exactly onto the fixture’s main body and tighten it with hand. If that doesn't work, try the next step. His published work includes material for major companies in the home improvement, plumbing, HVAC and power tool industry. Here are some useful tips that might help you to deal with this kind of problem easily and with less effort. 90 All you need for this kind of job is a couple of tools and a bit of patience. Ferguson is a self-employed, licensed building contractor in Florida with more than 30 years of hands on experience experience focusing primarily on residential remodeling, repair, renovation and construction. Remove the shower head using the adjustable wrench or pliers. However, it is possible to replace ball fixtures in older shower heads and shower head arms. With this being said, it’s quite understandable that changing a shower head with a ball is way easier when you have removable ball head joint. So, be careful. The modern shower heads have interesting features. Follow these steps in the given order and you will easily change the shower head with a ball. But, before you start unscrewing, you need to inspect if there’s any clogs or debris inside the fixture. All these parts in here are fragile and you can damage them if you use a bit too much force. 3) Reapply new Teflon tape. Doing this ensures the teflon tape wonât go into the Delta shower headâs ball connector and restrict its water pressure. Apply the Thread-Sealing Tape. Buy a new shower head. Turn counterclockwise until the ball head loosens; then twist it off the shower arm's pipe threads by hand. Hand Held Shower Heads for the Elderly: Which are the Best? Unscrew the showerhead from the shower neck. Again, use the rag to prevent scratching the fixture. Remove the Old Shower Head Using adjustable pliers, remove the shower head. The fused type is practically fused to the shower head and you can’t remove it or change it in any way. I am an ex-plumber, now retired. Use the adjustable wrench or pliers combined with the rag to tighten about a quarter of a turn. Hi, my name is Marco. Screw the shower head onto the threads until tight. Tip 3 – Removing the ball joint must be done slowly in order not to damage the fixture in some way. Apply a layer of plumber's tape to the threads on the new shower head arm. Adjust the pliers or wrench and secure them over the nut. 2. As we can see, changing the shower head with a ball isn’t such a hard thing to do after all. Once you removed the shower head from the shower arm, you can now examine the insides. Thread the shower head arm into the plumbing supply line until hand tight. Removing the shower head is really as easy as unscrewing this connection! It wonât be difficult, ⦠eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'amarcoplumbing_com-banner-1','ezslot_0',127,'0','0']));Tip 2 – Using a rag or an old piece of cloth is recommendable since it will protect your fixtures from scratches. To remove your old shower head, first try by hand (see Step 1). If you can't tell which handle is leaking in a shower faucet with two handles, put your hand under the water to see if it's hot or cold. Apply some plumber's grease or petroleum jelly to the rubber gasket located inside the main body of the shower head. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen and unscrew the old shower head. Examine the shower head to determine if you can access the ball fixture. In case you didn’t know, ball shower heads come in two different varieties – The removable ones, and the fixed ones. Wooden vs Plastic Toilet Seat: Which one to Choose? Unscrew the bottom coupling from the main body of the shower head and remove the ball fixture from the coupling. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. After that, place a piece of an old cloth around the shower head’s arm in order to stop any sudden water leaking. Clean the threads of the shower arm. Make sure not to leave it loose and also make sure not to tighten it too much. Most showerheads have hex flats on the outside of the threaded collar for use with an adjustable wrench. We surely hope that this little guide helped you to change your shower head with a ball. This is the exact difference between this type and the fused type of shower head ball. In case you followed everything correctly so far, it’s time now to place a new ball fixture inside a shower head. Problems with a showerhead can also be caused by grit or sediment lodged in the showerhead or by a buildup of scale or mineral deposits. Shower heads that allow access to the ball fixture will have a coupling on the bottom half of the fixture that unscrews. Remove the shower head arm. I cannot replace my shower head (who knows how old it is) without first getting a female to 1/2" male adapter. Wrap the thread-sealing tape around the threads. Now, all you need to do is to find a coupling that is located on the bottom half inside the fixture. Use steps two through six to learn how to fix a leaky faucet with one handle. Like on every job, the preparation of essential equipment is absolutely needed. As we already said, shower heads with a ball fixture will allow you to access the ball fixture and change it manually. This coupling is able to be unscrewed and thatâs what you need to do. 4. This coupling is able to be unscrewed and that’s what you need to do. First of all, it’s quite important to see a bit more about this type of shower head. Examine the shower head to determine if you can access the ball fixture. Slide the escutcheon on the shower head arm away from the wall. It looks very similiar to the picture below from a previous posting. Even though I am no longer offering my services, my friends and family have been asking me for plumbing advice. 1) Remove the old shower head. Then, shut the water off and cut a hole in the small opening behind the trim plate, so you can reach the valve. I do not sell anything here. Most shower head fixtures have a ball joint, which is why you're able to aim it pretty much anywhere. For a leaky shower faucet with one handle, youâll need to replace the cartridge in the valve. You’ll want to replace this fixture sometimes in the future as well. Takes a ball end shower arm and converts it to a standard fitting for any regular shower head. If you can't remove the shower head by hand, cover the shower arm (the metal pipe connecting the shower head to the wall) with a towel and grasp it with the pliers. How to Change A Shower Arm and Flange In 5 Minutes - YouTube Tip 1 – Once you remove the shower head from the shower arm, make sure to clean up all the debris that might be found inside the shower head. Removing Fixed Ball Joints Update: You can rotate the entire piece, shaft and ball, and it will unscrew out of the wall. As we already said, shower heads with a ball fixture will allow you to access the ball fixture and change it manually. This will help you to do the job easier. Visit our Sponsors. Using needlenose pliers, remove the valve clip and pull the valve out of the wall. Most shower heads simply screw onto the threaded end of the shower pipe. Now, as you already found the coupling on the bottom of the fixture, you will now need to unscrew it. Anyhow, let’s see how to change a shower head with a ball in the most efficient way. Make sure not to tighten it too much since you can create all sorts of problems that way. There are shower heads that have low-flow. 1. This can be done without any complications if you do it slowly and with patience. Tighten with the adjustable pliers and rag, about a quarter of a turn. As for the last step of this process, you’ll need to tighten the shower nut with the same tool you used to remove it – the adjustable wrench. They help us help you.How to repair a Delta tub/shower valve. This helps to prolong the gasket's life. A removable ball head joint is affixed to the shower arm by a nut. KES Shower Connector Ball Joint Shower Head Swivel Ball Adapter Brass Adjustable Shower Arm Extension Universal Component Polish Chrome, PSB101-CH 4.6 out of 5 stars 602 $10.90 $ 10 . Copyright 2020 by Amarco Plumbing. Add 3-4 rotations of new teflon tape around the shower arm but leave the last 2 threads bare. Now, all you need to do is to find a coupling that is located on the bottom half inside the fixture. This will make unscrewing the old shower head easier. How to Install a Faucet in an Acrylic Shower Unit, How to Fix a Leaky Single-Handle Ball Delta Kitchen Faucet, How to Replace a Showerhead Arm Thread Inside the Wall, How to Replace a Valve Seat in a Single-Handled Bathroom Faucet, The Home Fixers: Leaking Showerhead Repairs-Residential, How-to-x.info: Replace the Ball Fixture on a Shower Head, How to Replace a Single Handle Ball Valve Assembly on a Faucet, How to Replace Washers in a Bathroom Sink. Just like changing the oil in your car regularly to keep it in tip-top condition, it's recommended to change and refill the bioactive mineral balls of your Ionic shower head every 6 to 12 months of normal use, keeping you and your shower head in tip-top condition. You may need to perform all 3 steps if your shower head is really stuck onto the shower pipe. First things first, you will need to remove the shower head by using an adjustable wrench. This type of shower head requires total replacement. Anyhow, we are interested more in how to change a shower head with a ball, so, that’s exactly what we are going to discuss. Place a rag around the shower arm, close to the wall and loosen by turning counter-clockwise with a pair of adjustable pliers. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Take the old ball fixture, showerhead and arm to the hardware store to help find an exact match. When we turn the water on or off and it fills with water, the sudden pressure sometimes causes the shower head to fall ( usually at an angle to cause it to spray water all overthe bathroom). Fixed ball head joints are not bad as well. Place cardboard under the work area to help prevent damage to the tub or shower in the event you drop a tool. Typically, a screen located inside of the fixture acts as a filter. Youâll be able to hand tighten the ball connector of the delta shower head to the shower arm. To do this precisely, you will need to slowly apply the tape and make sure to hit the right spot. 4) Hand tightens the swivel ball adapter onto the shower arm threads. amarcoplumbing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Slip the escutcheon over the arm, and then wrap plumber's tape around the threads of the shower head. Use a clean rag to wipe off the screw threads of the shower ⦠eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'amarcoplumbing_com-box-4','ezslot_1',107,'0','0']));As we are getting close to an end, the only thing left to do is to apply plumber’s tape directly onto the threads of the shower arm. With some advice, you will be able to change it easily. That’s why you’ll need to muster a few tools and a couple of other things in order to change the shower head with a ball. If it won't budge, use the lubricant. This is one of the highest quality and best performing shower heads in the industry! KES Shower Connector Ball Joint Shower Head Swivel Ball Adapter Brass Adjustable Shower Arm Extension Universal Component Polish Chrome, PSB101-CH 4.6 out of 5 stars 598 $10.90 Grip the collar that holds the ball assembly ⦠Applying the plumber’s tape isn’t such a hard thing since it sticks pretty well to the shower arm. Simply screw on the end of the shower arm to convert to standard threads. Attach one end of the hose to the handshower. Place a rag around the shower head nut that attaches it to the shower head arm and turn counter-clockwise to loosen. Fits American Standard, Gerber, and Price Pfister shower arms to 1/2 shower heads Save time and money by getting the size right the first time with this all-3 pack Privacy Policy | Disclaimer, Best Handheld Shower Head for Low Water Pressure, Best Rain Shower Head with Handheld Reviews, Best Ionic Shower Head: Filters for Hard Water. Remove the shower head by loosening the nut on the shower head arm. Before installing, wrap some Teflon tape clockwise around the threads of the arm. Feel free to browse around. Now, it is more common to face a removable ball shower head in today’s bathrooms since they are a bit better choice. Clean off any rust or mineral deposits, old tape or ⦠So, there you go! Remove any debris or water deposits from the main body of the shower head. This means that you need to remove the coupling from the main body and remove the ball fixture as well. Apply plumber's tape to the threads on the shower arm and attach the shower head by turning its nut clockwise until snug. Now, slowly insert a new ball fixture in the place where the coupling is. The rag prevents damage to the fixture's finish. Insert the new ball fixture into the coupling and thread it onto the main body of the fixture until hand tight. Hence, I decided to start this blog to help them and address some common plumbing issues. All you can do is to remove the whole shower head with the whole arm construction. Now that you have finished with all the steps in the process you should have a brand new shower head ⦠In today's shower heads, the ball joint is inside and inaccessible. The solution is to remove the showerhead at the swivel ball and start cleaning. Place a rag around the nut where it attaches to the shower head arm and turn counter-clockwise with the adjustable wrench or pliers. Remove the old shower head. Now, you can do this without any troubles since all you need to do is to turn counter-clockwise to loosen the nut on the shower head. Hard water or mineral deposits can damage the ball fixture. If you find a leak, remove the shower head, re-tape the threads of the shower arm, and re-install the shower head. Shower heads that allow access to the ball fixture will have a coupling on the bottom half of the fixture that unscrews. The ball fixture is located inside of the shower head or on the end its arm. Turn off the water at the main valve. But, as we can conclude from the numbers, people tend to get removable ball head joints more. It is also recommended to use a rag or an old piece of cloth to prevent the scratching of the surface on the shower head arm. If there is, then simply clean it with a rag or an old piece of cloth. Why Does Flushing the Toilet Affect the Shower? 2) Clean the shower arm by removing any debris and Teflon plumber's tape. Cover the shower faucet with a rag to protect its finish. In this video, I'm going to show you how to replace an old shower head using our Solid Metal Handheld Shower Head Set With Hose in less than 10 minutes. Try turning it counter-clockwise by hand first. Let’s see now how to do it without complications. Once you're prepared for the job and gathered all this stuff, you can now continue and see how to change a shower head with a ball. Slide the escutcheon firmly into place next to the wall. Namely, the shower head with a removable ball joint is actually attached to the shower with the help of a fastening nut. Tighten the shower head nut using an adjustable wrench or pliers about one quarter of a turn. 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