How to replace a shower head
Quick answer: Unscrew the old head from the hose by hand (use a cloth and pliers if it is stuck), check the rubber washer inside, screw the new head on hand-tight, and run the water to check for leaks. If you have an electric shower, switch it off at the isolator first.
Shower heads clog with limescale, and the spray gets patchy or goes sideways. A new head makes a big difference, and nearly all standard heads and hoses use the same thread.
If yours is just blocked, a descale may do the job before you spend any money.
What you will need
- A new shower head
- A cloth to protect the chrome
- Pliers or a water pump pliers, if the head is stuck
- A new rubber washer (they are usually supplied)
- White vinegar or a descaler and a bag, for cleaning
Step by step
Switch off an electric shower
If you have an electric shower, switch it off at the pull cord and the wall isolator switch before touching anything. Do not take the hose off the shower unit itself.
Unscrew the old head
Hold the hose with one hand and turn the head anticlockwise with the other. If it will not budge, wrap a cloth round it and use pliers gently.
Check the washer
Look inside the hose end for a small rubber washer. If it looks worn, flat or missing, replace it. A worn washer is the usual cause of a leak at the join.
Clean the thread
Wipe the hose end and the threads clean, removing limescale and old bits of washer.
Screw on the new head
Fit the washer, then screw the new head on clockwise by hand. Do not use tools to tighten it, as you can crack the plastic or damage the washer.
Test for leaks
Turn on the water and check the join. If it drips, turn off, take it off and check the washer is seated flat, then tighten a little more by hand.
Clean the old head, if you want to keep it
Soak a blocked head in white vinegar or descaler for an hour, then scrub the nozzles with an old toothbrush and rinse.
Tips
- A fixed overhead shower arm often has a different thread or washer. Check the instructions.
- A new hose is also a cheap fix if the old one is kinked or cracked.
- Use PTFE tape only on the thread of fixed pipework, not on rubber washers.
Stop and get help if
- Water leaks at the wall, or from the shower valve or mixer. Turn the water off and call a plumber.
- You have a power shower or an electric shower and are not sure how to isolate it.
- The shower arm is corroded or loose.
- The new head does not fit the thread. Do not force it.
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Common questions
Why is my shower head leaking at the join?
Normally a worn or missing rubber washer in the hose end. Fit a new one.
Can I change an electric shower head myself?
Yes, the head itself, if the power is isolated. Do not open the unit or disconnect the hose from the unit.
How often should I descale a shower head?
Every few months in a hard water area. Soak it in vinegar or limescale remover.
More guides
Last reviewed 17 October 2026. This guide is general information for UK homes and is not a substitute for the manufacturer's instructions. If the job involves gas, mains wiring, asbestos, structural work or working at height, or you are unsure, ask a suitably qualified person.