Skip to main content

Turn Off Water — Turn Off Water Supply

Beginner

Part of project

Low Water Pressure Rainfall Shower Head: Installation Guide · Step 1 of 5

Helpful?

In this video

Turn off the water supply to the shower. This is typically done by locating the shut-off valves for the shower, which may be located near the shower itself or in a central plumbing access panel. The valves should be turned clockwise to close and stop the flow of water. The presenter points out the hot and cold supply lines and the shower control valve in a cutaway wall.

Goal: Prevent water from flowing

  • Double-check that the water is completely off by briefly turning on the shower controls.
293.5K views1.8K1 minute
Lowe's Home Improvement

1.3M subscribers

View Channel

FAQs

How long does this rainfall shower head installation typically take for a beginner, and how difficult is it?

This project is generally considered beginner-friendly and usually takes about 30-60 minutes to complete. The most time-consuming parts involve ensuring the water is completely off and troubleshooting any leaks that might occur on the first attempt. With proper preparation, it's a straightforward upgrade.

What specific features should I look for in a rainfall shower head if my home has low water pressure?

Look for shower heads explicitly marketed as 'high-pressure,' 'low-flow,' or 'pressure-optimizing' for low-pressure systems. These models often incorporate larger nozzles, internal restrictor plates, or air-injection technology designed to increase water velocity and improve the feel of the spray. Avoid generic rainfall heads that might worsen the low-pressure experience, as they can spread a low volume of water too thin.

What are the most important safety precautions to take during this installation?

The primary safety precaution is ensuring the water supply is completely turned off before you start work, both at the shower valve and potentially the main house valve, to prevent unexpected sprays or flooding. Additionally, be mindful not to overtighten connections, as this can strip the threads on pipes or damage the new shower head, leading to more costly repairs.

What should I do if the new rainfall shower head leaks after installation?

If a leak occurs, first try gently tightening the connection a quarter turn more with your wrench. If it persists, turn off the water supply, remove the shower head, and reapply fresh Teflon tape to the shower arm threads, ensuring 3-5 wraps are applied clockwise. Then, reattach the shower head, tightening hand-tight before a final snug turn with the wrench.

Transcript
Hide

that we're doing while we're doing it. First step is to make sure the water shut off. We don't want to bump the control and get all soak and wet. You'll see here, there's two supply lines, a hot and cold that come up and mix together in this center control valve.

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.