How to Change A Shower Arm and Flange In 5 Minutes
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- Опубликовано: 12 июн 2019
- (Heads Up: Thread Seal Tape should be wrapped counter-clockwise on both sides. Video shows tape being applied clockwise from the one side.)
Are you looking to upgrade your old, worn out shower arm and flange? Whether it's just really beat up looking, or you want a different style/length, a shower arm replacement is key to any shower upgrade.
And if you never changed a shower arm pipe before, you may have your hesitations. Unlike a shower head installation, the shower arm pipe is threaded into the wall which can look intimidating. But it's actually super easy!
In this video, I'm going to show you how to replace your shower arm and flange in less than 5 minutes!
I'll be using the highest quality shower arm and flange on the market. And I've used a lot! Trust me, this one is expensive but it's worth the money. Why have a really nice shower head and not have a nice shower arm to mount it on to?
Available on Amazon: amzn.to/4etA6PO
Available at The Shower Head Store: bit.ly/3tmgoSI
The shower arm is made from very hefty brass and the flange is really thick gauge brass which is super rare. What I especially love about this shower arm set is that the flange has a set screw to tighten it down onto the shower arm so it doesn't move around. If you've ever had the flange sliding around on your shower arm, you'll find this very important.
Now, here are the steps to installing your shower arm and flange.
1. Remove your existing shower head
2. Use a utility knife to separate any silicone or plumbers putty from the flange so it's not stuck to the wall.
3. Insert a screwdriver into the hole of the shower arm for leverage
4. Unthread the shower arm counter-clockwise using the screwdriver
5. Take the new shower arm and slide the flange over it
6. Wrap both ends of the shower arm threads with Teflon tape, getting a heaping amount on there. Close to 10 turns
7. Guide the shower arm into the hole in the wall to find the threads
8. Reinsert the screwdriver into the hole of the shower arm
9. Thread the shower arm into the wall by rotating the screw driver in a clockwise motion
10. When it starts to get tight, go around one last turn and square the shower arm up in your shower
11. Slide the flange so it's flush against the wall
12. Tighten the set screw down
13. Seal the edges with silicone
14. Finished!
Let's take a look at this video and put it all together.
***Some links may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these.
The Shower Head Store 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.*** 
Хобби
My mother was actually about to pay a guy $1,000 for this job. When I found out I immediately looked up how to do it. Thank you for saving me and my mom $1000. God bless
Goshhh $1k how does that guy sleep at night???
Report that person to the bbb
SMH that is robbery
@@nikolasdang5196 on a bed of cash
I'd done it for 500
The Teflon Tape was put on in the wrong direction. Pointing the end of the pipe towards you, it should go on clockwise. This is the direction that the pipe threads travel when tightening. Putting the tape on in the counterclockwise direction as shown in this video will cause the tape to bunch up as it is tightened
making it useless at providing a seal. I always install these with a temporary cap at the other end and turn on the water to pressure test and check for leaks. If there are no leaks then I replace the cap with the shower head and silicon seal the flange.
Hello Paul, you are correct, we've noticed that we've accidentally done that but we are unable to edit the video. The notes will be updated shortly to address this. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Don't you think it would be better to use Tru-Blu Rector Seal Pipe Thread Sealant on those threads? Tru-Blu is great stuff and recommended by plumbers. I really like your idea about capping it off to check for leaks. 👍👍👍
As I was watching this video, that's the same thing I notice. It is supposed to go on in such a way that when you turn, it goes WITH THE DIRECTION of the tape, not against it. He did this backwards.
I used to think so, but despite the consternation from tradesman, it really doesn't matter that much. I always make sure to put it on the right way, but no, it won't be "useless", nor will any of the bunching up matter. The stuff compresses so easily and it is already by definition a tight fit between fitting and socket threads that there is *_no place for the Teflon to bunch up to._* It's not as if you'll unravel the tape entirely as you turn.
Try the same experiments with it that I did and see. You'll not have any catastrophic leaks by putting it on CCW. I avoid doing so, but only because being a purist doesn't hurt anything. But if you forget, it's not the end of the world, and really won't matter _that_ much.
Thanks. I thought that was correct as well. Always thought you wrapped teflon tape in the OPPOSITE direction as you are going to thread the pipe/fitting so the end edge of the tape is facing in the opposite direction you are threading your pipe or fitting in/on. Justin cites the correct reason but the wrong direction.
I love simple direct instructions. Thank you!
You are very welcome, Faith. Let me know if you need anything else.
Thank you! Great informative video...did everything u said and I successfully installed my shower arm and Rainfall Shower head without a plumber. Yay!!
Hi Garry! Awesome! I'm so glad you were able to do it!
Great video. Clear and concise. Thank you!
I'm glad it helped you out!
Nailed it. 1st Time I ever Attempted -- less than 5 minutes from start to finish [including watching the video!]
Thanks for letting us know, Peter & Nicole. We truly appreciate you!
Please explain that since the video is over five minutes. 5:17 to be exact.
Thanks guys, very helpful.
Exactly the video I needed. THANKS!!!
We are so glad that you liked it!
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Very helpful
You are very welcome. Let us know if you need anything else.
Thank you. That screw driver hint was brilliant
I'm glad we could help!
Thank you sir! Easier than I thought.
You're welcome :)
Thank You, love the screw driver tip. saves from taping the pipe for wrench maring...
Thanks for the feedback Greg and you are very welcome.
Thank you, this was very helpful
Thank you! I sit on hold with (a certain well known store that sells hardware and appliances) chat for 30 mins last night while they tried to figure out what a shower arm and flange was for me. They came back with an answer that didn't have anything to do with the question instead of just saying, "Idk".
That must be an awful experience.
Thanks brother, very helpful video...made my job of replacing an old shower arm very easy.
Thanks for the feedback, Joseph!
Thank you for this! I had no idea what to do and how the arm was connected (or if it even was connected to anything). Successfully changed an old arm with destroyed threads.
You are very welcome, Mary. Please let us know if you need anything else.
Nice job explaining this replacement.
Thank you, Yvonne. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Thank you so much Justin!! These tips help everyone so much!
My pleasure, Cher!
Thanks! Just what I was looking for mainly to see how to remove the pipe. Screw driver trick was key. I probably would have put the set screw on top out of sight (unless you are Shaq.)
So simple! Thanks for sharing!
You are very welcome. Let me know if you need anything else.
Thank you for this ! My arm was leaking ! Was able to remove and retape to stop the leak!
I'm so glad that you were able to make it happen!
Thanks for the simple and fast how-to instructions
Anytime! We are happy to help!
You made it look so EZ.
Thank you.
Glad to help!
I just want to said thank you so much dude. You safe me a huge headache and was easy to do the job
I am happy to help Oscar. Let me know if you need anything else.
Thank you so much! Your video is very useful!
Much appreciate that you shared quickly what direction to thread the tape. Gonna do this pretty soon and that’s something I’d easily not pay attention to.
Thanks for the feedback.
Thanks guy just what I needed to know
Glad we could help.
Thanks for this video!
Nice Video. Simple and Straightforward 🤙
Thank you John!
Thank you!!!! I was terrified I'd have to take tiles and wall down. Haha. What a relief!!!
My collar has putty around it, so i thought the same thing 🤣🤣
Thank you!! I changed my shower arm myself. Saved plumbing cost !! Hurray
You are very welcome. Let us know if you need anything else.
Me, my mother-in-law & her guest bathroom thank you!!! Cheers!
I'm so glad that I was able to help!
@@theshowerheadstore thanks for the video, im gonna be replacing both arms and shower heads
Thanks! That's exactly what I needed to know.
Thank you. We are glad we are able to help!
Thanks so much! This is just what I needed to know. I'll check out your store on Amazon! Cheers!
Thank you very much! Please let us know if you have any doubts.
The screwdriver tip really came in handy thank you !!!
We are happy we were able to help, Chris. Let us know if you need anything else!
Thanks brother.
Genius screw driver trick!!! Thank you!
You are very welcome! Please let us know if you need anything else.
3/17/21: this video is just what I needed. Very clear...thank you~
Wonderful!
Thanks. I just change my showerhead & now thinking of changing to L-arm too.
You are welcome! Please let us know if you need any help!
Thanks Justin for all of the good tips, especially about wrapping the tape on the pipe ends in a clockwise direction. I pretty much knew that I would be using a screwdriver placed inside the pipe to unscrew the old arm and installing the new one. However, there’s one thing you left out that’s important for some DIY’er’s like myself to know. When installing the new shower arm, the longer end goes into the wall with the shorter angled end pointing out and down towards the bathtub or shower floor. 🛀🚿
Thanks for the input and I am glad we were able to help you.
He installed it that way, if people were paying attention.
Plus, you could see the longer end was inside the wall, when removing the old shower arm.
Thank you so much! Saved us a plumbing bill!
Awesome! I'm so glad I was able to help!
Thank you for the video - I wouldn't have thought to use the screwdriver for leverage. I suck at home repair, but youtube helps!
You are welcome Tony. We are happy we were able to help!
Love the screwdriver trick. Thank you.
You are very welcome and thank you very much! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Very helpful. Thank you
You are very welcome, Keesio. Let us know if you need anything else.
This little ruclips.net/user/postUgkxVoi3B4CB6Oygq1-vo4OTL1M_M5JkrXif tub works perfect in our 6 x 6 shower and is easy to get in and out. Also easy to drain.
Great tips! Thanks!
I have a new shower arm to install, and I was worried because it has threads on both ends, and I thought I might need some kind of connector...
happy to see yours looks the same, and I am good to go.
What I did with the flange, is I put beads of clear silicon, inside the back of the flange, in ever larger circles, until it reached the very edge of the inside of the flange,
and made sure, the last circle, rested slightly above the edge of the flange, so when installing this, pushing on the flange, with just a little pressure,
compresses the silicon slightly, because silicon is flexible, and that makes for a perfect watertight seal, and you can't even see the silicon on the inside.
I wouldn't use plumber's putty on marble, (Plumber's putty is greasy.) as marble is a soft, porous stone, and the marble will absorb the oil from the plumber's putty,
and the marble will stain around the flange.
It is probably fine to use it on granite.
Thanks for your feedback. I am happy we were able to help you.
THANKS I'm on it
Very nice video. Thank you very much.
Thanks for letting us know Scotty. Please let me know if I can help you with anything else.
thank you, helps a lot😊
Love your video, very expletives.
Thank you
Thank you.
Got an idea 🙏🏻
You are very welcome!
GENIUS. I was debating if I'd need to cut out a piece of the wall :))))
great trick with the screwdriver. thanks!
Thanks for the feedback Todd and you are very welcome.
Thanks man! Really helped😎👍
You are very welcome!
Thanks 😊, u saved a lot of things 😅.
Hi Halawyey! That is so nice to read!
Thank u so much. U guys helped me so much.
You are very welcome!
Helpful video thanks bud
You are very welcome!
Thank you so much I'm 62 and I have to do it myself Thank you again.
I'm so glad that i was able to help!
me too at 66...yuk!
THANK YOU
And you!
Wow I never knew this stuff was this easy thank you for this video now I can finally go ahead and change my shower head cause I was a bit nervous about how to change it
I am happy to we were able to help you with this, Naeema. Thanks for the feedback!
Great video thanks.
Thank you, James!
Thanks for the típ on how to get the old arm shower off! 👌
You are very welcome. Let us know if you need anything else.
Thanks for this tutorial. The only thing I don’t like is seeing a hole at the bottom if the flange. I wish we had a piece to cover it. Otherwise, very great quality
Thank you for the feedback!
Thank you very much
I'm glad that you liked it!
@@theshowerheadstore you are welcome I apply it today and install my new shower head. Save me some money. I'm very grateful. Thanks again
Awesome, thank you this was exactly what I needed :)
You're very much welcome ;-)
Thanks so much! You saved my marriage.
We're glad to be of service!
Nice bro that looked easy, thanks. Side note you look like Derrick on the movie Stepbrothers 🤣
He’s headed to the Catalina wine mixer next!
Thanks for the video. Should take the set screw and place on top so it is out of sight.
You are welcome and thank for the honest suggestion!
Good vid.
Thank you!
I like the tip on using a screwdriver.
Thank you for letting us know!
I like the screwdriver trick.
Thanks for the feedback, Jacob.
Saving me a plumber's $$ visit. Thank you!
Hi. Are there specific tools design to remove snd install shower handles and heads? The plumber had to come fix my shower and he scratched the handles now I have to replace two of them and I cringed of the thought of installing them and scratching them. I hope you can reply. Thanks
Awesome
Thank you!
Great video. Great explanation. Thank you
You are most welcome, Linda!
He likes a good flange!
I just used channel locks and scratched my antique bronze arm. Lol. Wish I would've seen the screw driver trick before. Ha ha.
I am sorry to hear that Bob. If you have any other concerns, do not hesitate to reach out.
very good video, show to the point, I have a question to ask do I need to shutoff the main water, before doing this, thank you very much Gbu
No, the water is already off at your shower knobs
Thanks for the detailed video. Question: Do you need to turn off the water supply to change the arm?
Once your shower trim is already turned off you should be fine.
There was rust and orange gunk in my pipes. Alot of people are showering in Galvanized Steel rust water. If your eyes feel irratated after a shower its because of the rust. I noticed after I removed the shower arm. Im going to have to remove the caulking, chisel the tiles off my wall, break through the drywall with a oscilltating tool, then change out the piping.
Thank you for explaining the direction of the tape in a way my adhd brain could comprehend 2:39 😭 God bless you baby
You're so welcome and thanks for the feedback! I'm thrilled to hear that the video helped you out, and I totally get how important clear directions are. God bless you too! 🙏💙
These type of repairs/updates always scares me. I don’t like not knowing if my pipe is leaking being it’s behind a wall. I know folks will chime in and say if you put teflon on correctly and tightened it correctly, yadda, yadda...Things can still go wrong beyond your control, like age of pipes, condition of threads, etc.
Same, like what do I do, if I can’t screw it back on.
Hello there. A lot of things can go wrong such as what you mentioned in terms of the age of the pipes and the condition of the threads in the wall, and in this case, I would recommend that you add extra turns of tape or consult a plumber to check on leaks in the wall.
Thanks Justin for all of the good tips, especially about wrapping the tape on in a clockwise direction. I pretty much knew that I would be using a screwdriver placed inside the pipe to unscrew the old arm and install the new one. However, there’s one thing you left out that’s important for some DIY’er’s like myself to know, when installing the new shower arm the longer end goes into the wall with the shorter angled end pointing out and down.
@@DalTexGuy why can’t it be the opposite?
Leaks inside the wall is my main worry. I'm guessing the thread is not standard like on the shower end of my old one.
I always lived an a apartment. I recently just bought a house. I need to learns some of these do it Yourselves and I'm kinda nervous. Two questions. 1) if i take everything off, is that what's usually behind the flange a hole in the wall I assume in that hole a is a pipe you just stick the arm to?
2) are shower arms universal? Thanks again. Might be dumb questions but I just want to learn everything. I'm new to this
1. Yes, there is usually a 1/2" Female Pipe Thread connection in the wall. That's the standard in the USA. 2. In line with the previous question, shower arm pipes are a standard 1/2" Male Pipe Thread. There may be some exceptions, but the vast majority of the time you're dealing with these standards.
@@theshowerheadstore thank you so much
@@Pshady23 You're welcome!
Great video! Thanks so much. Just wondering if you did mention the brand/model name of the new shower arm and flange you used, as you said you would? (If so, I can't find it in the video.) I need to replace my original, 72-year-old arm and flange, and I like the one you used. Thanks in advance!
This is a Speakman Neo S-2540 Shower Arm and Flange, 7", Polished Chrome and it can be found on our website here: www.theshowerheadstore.com/collections/accessories/products/shower-arm-and-flange-with-set-screw?variant=38136115888321
Do I have to shut off the water valve? This is just what I needed to know. Thanks
You do not need to shut off the main supply to change out your shower arm, you just need to shut the water off at your shower valve. There should be no water coming out of your shower head when performing this change.
My house is 50 years old. I used only rotational force. Both the old shower arm and the elbow piece broke/crumbled where the threading is. Need to call a plumber 😭
I bet the the old homeowners caused damage when they redid the shower at one point.
The Allen screw holding the new flange would look best if installed on the top side where it can't be seen. Just a thought. Good video.
Thanks for the feedback, John and you are very welcome.
What did you do at the end to secure/tighten the flange?
There is a set screw in the flange that you tighten down onto the shower arm so it does not move.
If I tighen it too far will the diverter valve bust and squirt water everywhere ? If feels like the arm has hit max but it's pointing toward the ceiling. And if I back it off until it points down it's lose and leaks. I've tried two different arms with the same result.
Of course, I'd be glad to help you with your shower arm installation concerns.
It sounds like you're dealing with a common issue when installing a shower arm. Tightening the shower arm too much can indeed damage the pipe and potentially lead to leaks. On the other hand, if it's not tightened enough, you'll experience the arm being loose and causing leaks as well.
To ensure a proper installation without any leaks or damage, follow these steps:
Wrap the threaded end of the shower arm with Teflon tape. Use at at least 5-8 wraps if 3 wraps not working out. This helps create a watertight seal and prevents leaks.
3. **Hand Tighten:** Start by hand-tightening the shower arm into the threaded pipe coming out of the wall. Turn it clockwise (righty-tighty) until it's snug against the wall.
4. **Use a Wrench:** Once the arm is hand-tightened, use an adjustable wrench to gently tighten it another 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Be cautious not to over-tighten, as this could damage the threading or the pipe inside the wall.
5. **Alignment:** Ensure the shower arm is aligned correctly. It should point downward, perpendicular to the wall. If you find that it's pointing toward the ceiling, you may need to use an additional piece like a shower arm extension to achieve the correct angle.
6. **Sealing:** If you're still experiencing leaks after proper tightening, consider using plumber's putty or a rubber gasket. Apply a thin layer of plumber's putty around the base of the shower arm before tightening it. Alternatively, some shower arms come with rubber gaskets that should be placed between the arm and the wall.
7. **Test for Leaks:** Once you've completed the installation, turn on the shower and let it run for a few minutes. Carefully check for any leaks around the connection point and the wall. If you notice any leaks, you might need to repeat the process, ensuring proper sealing and tightening.
Remember, it's important to find the right balance between snugness and not over-tightening. If you've tried multiple shower arms with the same result, the issue might be with the threading of the pipe itself. If that's the case, it's a good idea to consult with a professional plumber who can assess the situation and provide a proper solution.
If you're not comfortable with the installation process, it's always best to seek help from a licensed plumber to avoid potential damage or water leakage issues.
This helps a lot! Why are shower arms so damn short in the first place? I'm installing a longer arm. You can't hang a rack on it because all of the water drips into the soap dish and makes a mess.
Are you in a rental or a cheaply-built house? Oftentimes contractors/developers/landlords will skimp on pieces like this to save a buck, but thankfully it's very easy to upgrade without risking damage.
@@lozoft9 It’s a brand new house and wasn’t cheap. It’s a spec house and we had no say in the accessories, paint, color, fixtures etc. Yes, it’s an easy thing to fix.
Long live the manbun!
We definitely agree!
Ok. My next door friend and I tried changing mine and we could not loosen up the original arm at all. I think I better call the plumber 👨🔧 . I need a leak fixed in my kitchen sink plumbing anyway soooo 🤷♀️. It was worth trying though! Thanks!!!!!
I have a question, do you have to first shut off the water before you change this out? I live in an apartment and it would be virtually impossible for me to shut the water off to my building just to change this out.
You don't have to shut off the main water to change this out, although it's never a bad idea just to be safe. You only need to make sure that your shower valve is closed all the way and that no water is coming out of your shower head. Then you'll be good to go!
I have a question about the shower mount i have a old shower head with a ring that has a thread in it do i need to remove the shower arm to remove the ring
It could be one of those old price pfister shower arm holders built into the shower arm. If that’s the case, you’ll need to replace the shower arm too.
You put tape on backwards
Just like my shoes sometimes! Thanks for paying close attention.
You look like Tom Cruise .... LOL .... Thanks so much for the video ....
"Show me the money!"
Do you have to shut off the main water source for the house to do this? Or just keep the shower faucet shut off?
You can just keep the faucet off. No problem! :D
Do these instructions apply when the neck portion snapped off from the pipe inside the wall?
Hi! In that case, we would definitely suggest to use a plumber to prevent further damage
Any tips on what do you do if the plumber didn't secure the pipe properly behind the wall & you don't have access?
I'm afraid if I take this shower head pipe out (which was installed incorrectly so it's leaking & if I tighten the pipe it points to the ceiling) I'm going to loose whatever it attaches to.
Bought my house with it like this.
Hello Jenna, if the plumber didn't install the fitting correctly then I would get that same plumber to correct the problem
Which part of the thread do u start wrapping the tape onto:the bottom of the thread where it meets the arm or the top where the 1st thread is that goes into the fitting?
You will start wrapping the tape on the male threads from the part that goes in the females threads first.