Water Filtration

Shower water filter systems are not much different than installing a shower head. The content described below may be helpful for a variety of shower filtration systems or just upgrading a standard shower head. Always check the instructions that come with the item you purchased. By following the manufacturer’s recommendations when installing anything helps if you need that product warranteed.

Installing a shower water filter or a shower head is not a hard process most of the time. There are a few tools you will need to make the process easier. A pair of adjustable pliers like the channel lock brand and an adjustable wrench. The other things you may need is a small roll of Teflon tape and or a small can of pipe dope, a couple of rags and an old tooth brush. If you do not know what Teflon tape is, it is the white looking film that might show above where you shower head is connected. It is used to help seal threads so water can not leak around them. Pipe dope may have been used to help seal the threads and this may look like caulking, or putty above the shower head connection. Pipe dope is designed not to glue thing together just help seal the threads from leaking.

If your old shower head has flat spots on the shower head collar use a adjustable wrench. Some collars are round so pliers work the best.(If you are going to reuse the shower head wrap a rag around the collar to help protect the finish.) Make sure if using an adjustable wrench you adjust it so you get a good fit. With one hand, hold the shower arm while removing the shower head. (Turn to the left to loosen) This supports the pipe and will let you know if the shower arm is trying to unscrewing out of the wall. Shower heads are usually not installed much over hand tight.

If this happens use a back-up wrench. I wrap a rag around the pipe to help keep it from getting damaged. Any pair of pliers like channel locks usually works or a small pipe wrench. Remove the old shower head. Some times Teflon tape may have been used as a secondary seal. If it was, remove any loose pieces that are sticking up with the tooth brush. You do not need to remove all of it. A little tape left in the threads usually will not cause any problems. If pipe dope was used it may be a little harder to remove the excess from the threads. If the tooth brush does not remove it, try running a razor blade around in the threads then the tooth brush should remove the excess.

The seal in the shower filter system is usually adequate to make a good seal. To be on the safe side, I use Teflon tape, wrap the threads two times (to the right or clock wise). Leave the beginning threads bare, this makes starting the new filter system easier. If using pipe dope, put an even coat on all the threads, if you add too much it will work its way out as you install the shower head and then you can clean off the extra.

Screw the filter assembly on hand-tight, (turning to the right). Hold onto the shower arm and use the wrench or pliers to tighten about ¼ turn or until the filter assembly will not move on the shower arm. If the shower filtration system uses carbon filtration, do not install the shower head until you flush out the filter. The fine carbon particle may plug the shower filter.

Now you can flush out the filter if the instructions call for it. And you can look for any water leaks. If there is a leak try to tighten that part a little at a time until it stops. (If a leak persist take that part back off and check the condition of the seal. Replace if damaged or put back in place if slipped out of place, reseal the threads.)

You may notice a slight delay in the water changing temp as you adjust in the hot. This is normal as the water goes through the filter. Keep this in mind as you are showering so you do not over adjust the hot.

Now you can install the shower head to the filter. You can seal the threads as described above. Make sure the shower head starts straight on the plastic threads. Sometimes plastic threads are easy to cross thread. Hand tighten and give it a ¼ turn. Check for any leaks and your new shower filter system is ready for use.

An Ezine article

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