What is the simplest way to reduce water usage in your house? Installing a high-efficiency showerhead, of course.
Many people have the misconception that today’s ultra low flow showerheads won’t rinse the soap off like the old models. How far from the truth! The EPA’s standard for showerheads is 2 gallons per minute. Combined with the variety of jetstreams available to choose from, this is more than enough to have you feeling clean and refreshed while lowering your water consumption.
Showerheads come in many shapes and sizes and can be found in any department store, hardware store, or plumbing supply store. Before installing your new showerhead, thoroughly read the included instructions for your specific model.
You’ll need a ladder or stepstool to comfortably reach the shower. Be sure to turn off the water valves before beginning. To remove the old showerhead, place a washcloth or old cleaning rag where you intend to unscrew with a wrench. This will prevent scratching if you intend to reuse your old showerhead in the future or sell it at your next yard sale.
When the old showerhead is removed, use a damp cloth to clean the threads of any dirty buildup before installing the new showerhead. At this point, wrap the threads with Teflon tape. This will prevent any leakage. Wrap clockwise so the tape will not come off during the installation of the new showerhead. Use your washcloth or old cleaning rag along with your wrench to attach the new showerhead and then turn the water on to ensure that it works properly.
Most showhead replacements can be done by a handy homeowner, but in some cases the showerhead is stuck to the water supply pipe. Also, the water supply pipe can break, especially if it is old or corroded. Your local plumber is an expert in bathroom plumbing repairs and can handle any problems you may encounter.
Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing
