How to Get a Shower Head Off That Is Stuck
Is your shower head stuck? Or are you just looking to replace the old one with a new one? This blog post will guide you through the steps of how to get a shower head off that is stuck, install a new one, and troubleshoot problems that may come up.
We’ll start by discussing how to remove an old showerhead. There are two main types of connections threaded and slip fit.
Threaded connections have threads on both sides, which can be unscrewed to release pressure from the valve stem, so it’s possible to unscrew the neck off of the pipe. Slip-fit connections have threads on only one side, so there is no way for air or water to escape until after they’re unscrewed; this makes them more difficult to disconnect.
Five Reasons Why Your Shower Head Get Stuck:
1. Some people like to save money and do not replace their shower head when it breaks. Instead, they may opt to put tape around the hose that attaches to the showerhead to stop water from leaking out of the hose.
This works for a little while until rust or other debris causes the hose wound around the shower arm to get stuck in its position. Eventually, the tape falls off, and water starts to spray everywhere.
2. Some people like to be environmentally friendly and use a shower head that can conserve water when in use or not in use for an extended period. This shower head is meant to shut off when not used, but it does not always work correctly. Sometimes it sticks, causing the water pressure to build up and spray everywhere.
3. If you’re looking for budget-friendly or high-quality products when you shop at your local hardware store, you might opt for Delta products or those from another well-known company like Speakman. However, remember that sometimes these brands aren’t the most reliable, so you might end up with a broken showerhead that gets stuck.
4. A person could have recently moved into a new place and decided not to purchase one for themselves because rentals often already come with one that is outdated or possibly broken. If this is your case, you are lucky if the previous tenant did not take it with them when they moved out!
5. Sometimes, a person has an old showerhead in their home, which finally breaks after years of use. When this happens, the showerhead may get stuck and be extremely difficult to remove from its original position.
7 Methods on How to Get a Shower Head Off That Is Stuck:
Here are some methods on how to get a shower head off that is stuck.
1. Pliers:
The standard tool is used to get a stuck shower head off. Grab the pliers and twist the handle counterclockwise, which should loosen it right up.
2. Dish Soap:
Add a squirt of dish soap to the bathtub and fill it with enough hot water to create a soapy mixture. To remove the showerhead, use soap. Then, simply grab your shower head with one hand and twist the pipe counterclockwise with your other hand.
3. Wrench:
A wrench is generally used to tighten up a stuck shower head but can also loosen it in a pinch. First, grab your pliers and place them on the corners of the shower head’s base that are not protruding from the surface. Once you have a firm grip, turn the wrench to loosen up the head.
4. WD-40:
WD-40 is one of those household items that can be used for just about anything. The lubricant will help soften the corrosion on your shower head’s threads, letting you easily twist it off using pliers or even just your hands.
5. Dish Soap and Vinegar:
Fill a plastic bag with some dish soap and vinegar until it’s about half full, and then put the opening over your stuck shower head and twist sharply, which should dislodge it right away. Make sure to wear gloves when performing this task because of the potential stinging sensation in your hands that the vinegar will cause.
6. Heat It Up:
Run some hot water in your bathtub and use a lighter to heat up the base of the head until it’s good and soft, making it easier for you to remove or tighten easily. Just be sure not to get too close because things could burn out of control quickly!
7. Lubricant:
Use a lubricant like WD-40 or Vaseline to coat the head of your shower pipe with it. Since these are usually made out of plastic, they won’t affect or melt them in any way. After applying the lubricant, twist off or on as needed.
If none of the above methods worked for you and you’re still having problems getting the showerhead off, the chances are that you need to buy a new one.
However, before you go out and spend money on a whole new unit for your bathroom, ask your friends and family if they have an extra shower head lying around that you can use until you’re ready to replace it.
Precautions and Safety Measures:
Before we get into which connection type you have and how to unscrew it, let’s first discuss some precautions you should take before removing the showerhead.
1. Turn off electricity to the pipe system that you’re working on. Even if the shower still has pressure, an electrical component may be connected, such as a light, heater, or motor. Better safe than sorry.
2. Ensure that there is no water pressure in the system. Some showerheads can still spray while removed because of residual stress in the pipes behind them, even after the electricity has been turned off. If this is the case, you can either drain your pipes by opening your main water line or opening up your shower head’s connection to let the pressure out.
3. If, for some reason, you cannot shut off the electricity or there is still pressure in the system, use extreme caution when removing it. If you’re uncomfortable with electrical work, please hire a professional plumber to do this part of the job.
4. When removing the showerhead, make sure you either wear protective gloves like these or wrap a rag around your hand if there is any residual pressure behind it when you unscrew it.
If, for some reason, the head breaks while you are taking it off, don’t worry too much because this type of thing frequently happens when people try to do it themselves. If you’re still concerned about injury, wear protective eyewear to be safe.
Conclusion:
There are a few ways to remove the showerhead that is stuck. You can first turn off the water and ensure there’s no pressure on it while taking your wrench or pliers and loosening one of the two nuts holding it in place.
You should then be able to unscrew both nuts entirely with your hands, turning them counterclockwise (lefty loosely).
If this doesn’t work, try using an adjustable wrench to take out one nut at a time until all three have been removed. We hope this article has given you some helpful tips on getting a stuck shower head off.
If any of these methods didn’t work or if you have another suggestion, please leave it in the comments below! Thanks for reading, and happy tinkering with your new shower head!
Angela Ervin
Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.
