A good shower can either help you kickstart your day or unwind before going to bed after a hectic day. In other words, it is your much-needed daily energy boost. That’s why you need to keep it in excellent working condition. If you have DIY skills and the required tools, you can install different shower components in your Big Bear home.
As a leading Big Bear bathroom plumbing provider, we know that installing a showerhead and fixing a shower valve are the two most common shower plumbing issues people face.
Let’s take a look at these two shower parts and learn how to install them yourself.
How to Install Showerhead in Your Big Bear Home
Installing a good-quality showerhead can help you save considerable water and lower your water bill. There are three types of showerheads you can install in your Big bear bathroom including, a fixed shower head, a hand-held showerhead, and a combo showerhead.
Before beginning the installation, make sure to turn off the water supply.
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Fixed Showerhead
Wrap an old kitchen towel around the arm of the showerhead and use a plier to hold it firmly. It will protect the finish. Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the showerhead.
It should come off in a few seconds. Before installing the new showerhead, make sure to clean the rust or mineral deposition from the threads. Wraps threads with a Teflon tape in the clockwise direction and screw the new showerhead on tightly.
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Hand-held Showerhead
You can use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the old hand-held showerhead and flexible shower hose. In most cases, you will be able to remove the showerhead with bare hands, if there is no rust.
Clean the threads and screw the new showerhead with your hands. Connect the flexible shower hose to the mount. Tighten the screws of the mount. Check the new connection for leaks.
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Combo Showerhead
A combo showerhead consists of both fixed and hand-held showerheads connected to the same shower arm. When installing, first you will need to tightly screw the diverter to the shower arm by hand.
Next, tightly screw the fixed-mount showerhead on the end of the diverter by hand. You can use Teflon tape for leak-proof assembly. After securing this connection, you can attach the hand-held shower hose to the diverter.
Place the hand-held shower in the mount. Start the water supply to check the connections for any leaks. As a leading Big Bear bathroom plumbing service provider, we recommend using Teflon tape and tightening the joints again if any leaks are found.
How to Install Shower Valve or Faucet in Your Big Bear Home
Installing a showerhead is easy, but installing a shower valve or faucet is a demanding and time-consuming task. You will need to plan this installation carefully and well in advance as access to the valve is often tricky. You may also need to use a propane torch to sweat-solder the copper fittings.
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Removing Old Valve
You will need to know the exact location of the valve. Remember, you may also need to cut through the bathroom wall to access the valve. After turning off the water supply, you will need to remove the old valve. The other alternative is to cut the pipes off using a hacksaw.
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Installing New Valve
Before installing the new valve, you will need to remove the plastic cartridge in the valve as it can’t withstand the heat of the propane torch. Check the manufacturer’s manual to see how you can remove and insert the cartridge back again.
Make sure to cap (or seal) the bottom end of the valve by soldering if you don’t have a bathtub. After the valve has cooled, you can position it for soldering to the pipes. Apply soldering paste to all the sockets and position them on the wall. Carefully light the torch and solder each joint. Be sure to wear appropriate protective gear.
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Soldering Joints
You need to solder the joints from all sides. You will need to take extra precautions when soldering the backside as it is difficult to access. You can use an inspection mirror to see if the soldering has reached all the areas. Keep a fire extinguisher by your side while working.
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Checking Valve for Leaks
Once your soldering is finished, let the valve cool. After it has cooled, insert the plastic cartridge. Keep the shower valve off and turn the water supply on to make sure there are no leaks. If everything is working fine, all you have to do is install the trim and handle.
As you can see, shower valve installation needs not only sophisticated tools but also better plumbing and soldering skills. In most cases, it is better to call a professional Big Bear bathroom plumbing service provider, especially for installing pipes, valves, and other hidden plumbing issues.
Conclusion
Your shower needs to be in excellent working condition to ensure optimal water usage. Internal shower leakage will not only waste water, but also damage your bathroom walls and other fittings.
Contact our Bear Valley Plumbing Team to Schedule an Appointment
Calling a professional and experienced Big Bear bathroom plumbing provider like Bear Valley Plumbing & Heating is always a better idea. Call us today at (909) 584-4376 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week!
If you are looking for a Big Bear plumbing, heating & air conditioning contractor, please call (909) 584-4376 or complete our online request form.
Category: Plumbing Installation
