How to Install a Shower Water Filter

Water quality in your home affects more than just what you drink. Minerals, chlorine, and sediment buildup in your shower can leave your skin feeling dry and make your hair appear dull. Installing a shower filter is one of the most effective ways to improve your daily shower experience without needing a whole-house filtration system. Done well, the installation takes less than fifteen minutes and requires no professional plumbing skills. You are essentially adding an extension between your pipe and your showerhead. The key to a leak-free setup is proper thread alignment and consistent use of thread seal tape. If you work carefully, you will enjoy filtered water immediately upon turning the handle.

Unscrew the Old Head. Grasp the showerhead firmly and rotate it counter-clockwise to unscrew it from the shower arm. If it is stuck due to mineral buildup, use an adjustable wrench to turn the nut while holding the shower arm steady with your other hand.
Clear the Threads. Use a soft brush or cloth to remove old tape, grime, or hard water deposits from the threads of the shower arm. Ensure the area is completely dry before proceeding to the next step.
Seal the Threads. Wrap the shower arm threads with plumber's tape, moving in a clockwise direction. Apply three to four wraps, pulling the tape tight so it seats into the grooves of the threads.
Mount the Filter. Screw the filter housing onto the shower arm by hand, turning it clockwise until it is snug. Ensure the unit is aligned straight so the weight doesn't put unnecessary stress on the pipe.
Reattach the Head. Apply a fresh layer of plumber's tape to the output threads of the filter. Screw your showerhead back on by hand, ensuring you don't cross-thread the connection.
Test and Flush. Turn on the water slowly to check for leaks at the connections. Run the water for two minutes to flush any loose carbon or sediment from the new filter cartridge.