Replacing your shower hose is something you'll have to do at least once during your shower's lifetime. Fortunately it is a pretty simple task that you can carry out yourself.
The hose usually becomes damaged at the point where it joins the shower head, resulting in leakage and - subsequently - a less powerful shower.
You should therefore replace your shower hose as soon as it starts to show signs of wear and tear.
Preparation
Make sure the shower area is completely dry to prevent slipping while you're carrying out the task and to help you get a good grip on the part you're working with. It's a good idea to place an old towel in the bottom of your bath or shower tray to catch any water that may drip from the shower head or hose.
Equipment you may need:
- A pair of pliers
- An old rag
And of course you'll also need your new shower hose. Try to get hold of the original manufacturer's equipment if possible.
While universal shower hoses all look the same at first glance, the cones on the ends are actually slightly different and this can affect how the hose fits inside your bracket or riser.
A poor fit could cause the shower head to turn or slip during showering, which can be dangerous, not to mention rather annoying.
Disconnecting the old hose
To disconnect the old hose from the shower unit, you simply need to unscrew it in an anti-clockwise direction. You should be able to do this by hand, although you may need to use your pliers and your rag for extra grip if it is screwed in tight.
Remove the washer from the end of the hose and, unless it is damaged, keep it aside. Next, unscrew the old hose from the shower head and remove the washer, again keeping it safe.
Connecting the new hose
Place a new washer into the end of your new hose and screw it back onto the shower unit until it is hand tight. Be careful not to screw too tightly as this could damage the washer.
Next, place another new washer into the other end of the hose and screw it onto the shower head. You can always reuse your old washers if they are still intact and double-washer your hose to make sure that it is completely watertight.
Test the shower, and if there is a leak you can tighten the fittings slightly using pliers. Remember to wrap your rag around the cones to avoid scratching or damaging the new hose.
If you'd prefer to watch this task being carried out before attempting it yourself, just check out our handy video guide on YouTube (or just watch it below).
As always, if you need any help sourcing the right hose for your particular shower model, get in touch with our helpful customer service team.