I have a clawfoot bathtub, so the water comes from a tall pipe that originates from the floor. I have a very crappy showerhead on the end of the pipe, and I’d like to replace it with a much better one. I bought a standard size (I’m assuming its standard, as none of them specified the size) showerhead, but the female piece of it is too big to fit. I obviously need an adaptor of some sort, but the poor kid at Lowe’s was clueless as to what exactly I might need. I’m not even sure how to measure these pipes, and whether I need to measure the male or female pieces or what.
Does anyone know what size my currently non-standard (perhaps it was standard in the past?) pipe might be, and what size a standard showerhead would be? Also, should I be concerned about using a brass adaptor (they seemed plentiful at Lowe’s, just not apparently the variety I’m looking for), due to the cancer warning that comes with them?
Do you have the old shower head? Bring it with you to the hardware store, and use it to size the connection.
As for the brass adapter, as long as you aren’t drinking vast amounts of your shower water, I don’t think you have much to worry about.
The nipple which the shower head is screwed onto is normally 1/2". The pipes used in plumbing are measured at the inside diamater. I wouldn’t worry about using a brass fitting.
If you don’t have it, take a chunk of play-dough or clay and press it into the pipe, so that it gets a clear imprint of the pipe, and then take that to the store.
And you’ll have better luck with this kind of thing at your neighborhood hardware store than at Lowe’s or Home Depot!
You’re also likely to get a better answer at Home Depot than Lowes, if that’s your only choice. Home Depot caters much more to contractors than homeowners, and tends to have a better trained staff. Your mileage at a specific store may vary, however.
Typical shower pipes in the US are 1/2" NPT male, meaning that the shower arm presents a male 1/2" national pipe thread. Most shower heads are equipped with a 1/2" NPT female fitting.
Assuming the new fixture purchased is 1/2" NPT female, and is too big for the supply, that means your supply pipe is 3/8" (educated guess). If that is the case, a brass 1/2 NPT F x 3/8 NPT M adaptor will address your needs.
Not to be snarky but have you tried to just clean out the old nozzle? Hell. I have to remove and clean out my faucet filter about every six months in my Kitchen and my house is 8 years old.
Moderators I swear I thought that I was In IMHO. Sorry. I still think cleaning the showerhead is the best option before messing with various fittings.