Replacing an old shower head is necessary to enjoy an unhindered water flow. An old shower head can get rusty, and the flawless performance might not be the same. At that time, you need to replace the shower as soon as possible.
However, most of the customers often complain that shower heads get stuck within the shower arm, and it becomes challenging to remove it and install the new one.
This happens because the shower head gets screw onto the shower arm, and over time the mineral and other hard water deposits get accumulated on the tread. As a result, the shower head gets stuck within it really hard.
Are you one of the unfortunate customers who is thinking about how to remove a stuck shower head? Well then, you are at the right place now. This article is a guide that would explain in detail how to get rid of a stuck shower head.
It is not impossible to unscrew the shower head if you follow the instructions we discuss here. Spare 5 minutes of your precious time in reading this blog and unscrew the stuck shower head in a jiffy by implementing these steps.
This will help you to save that extra bucks of calling a professional plumber to solve the issue. So, are you ready to get your answer? Before jumping into the steps, you need to do some of the things to prepare yourself so that no hassle occurs in the middle of your work.
Things To Do Before Beginning The Process
- Know why your shower head is stuck in the first place.
You may not have any idea that your shower head is actually stuck. You need to keep in mind that an excellent performing shower head can get stuck from inside.
If you want to remove the shower head in order to replace it, you have to be sure about the cause beforehand. Evaluating the reason is essential to take the next step right.
- Check whether there is any sign of rust or corrosion ( check for an orange and copper circular sign near the shower arm)
- Be sure whether there is any mineral build-up or hard water deposits ( a white ring near the shower arm indicates that it has mineral build-up inside)
- Check whether the shower arm is fixed too tightly.
Once you know why your shower head is getting stuck, it is high time to take the next step if you want to know how to remove a stuck shower head.
- Make sure the water supply is turned off.
The second thing that you need to do to avoid unnecessary risks is stopping the water flow before removing the water. The water valve needs to be turned off to avoid water flooding and clogging inside your shower and house. Otherwise, it can be a huge mess and risky too.
Find out the water valve, which is generally located in two places- under your bathroom sink or below the tub in the basement.
- Get your workplace ready.
Preparing the work area before you begin with your work is necessary. Remember that your work will involve a lot of tools and chemicals that can have an adverse effect on your shower and bathtub.
You should cover your floor and tub with a thick blanket. Do not forget to stuff unused cloth down the drain so that the bits and pieces of your shower do not flush away.
Steps You Should Begin With While Removing the Shower
Step 1: Use a Wrench to Remove Your Shower Head
Using a simple tool to unscrew your shower is the best to avoid any potential damage. A wrench works best for opening the shower head from the arm, but you can also use a plier to loosen the shower.
- Use an old cloth to cover the connector of the fixture or the plumbing nut. This will aid in protecting the metal of your shower head.
- Try to grip the connector using the wrench or the plier.
- Turn the wrench in the clockwise direction first. It will help to break the layer of rust or mineral.
- Again, turn the wrench anticlockwise to loosen the screw.
Your shower head will get unscrewed easily when you use a wrench.
Step 2: Use Lubricant to Unscrew
If your shower head has a lot of hard water deposits, it is possible that a wrench or plier won’t work in the first place. You can then use a spray lubricant to moisturize the area and make it slippery enough.
- Around the thread, use the spray lubricant.
- Keep it for 10-15 minutes and allow the lubricant to soak in.
- Try again with the wrench in an anticlockwise direction.
- If it is still stuck, use more spray lubricant and leave it for another 5 minutes.
Step 3: Use a rust remover
Rust remover works like wonder in a stuck shower head. If you think rust accumulation is the main concern behind your stuck shower head, use a rust remover to get it cleaned from within.
A remover is a thick liquid that has chemicals to break down hard deposits of rust.
- Use a fresh cloth and pour some rust remover on it
- Use it to clean the tread; make sure you have used enough remove the rust marks.
- Leave it for 2-3 hours. You can notice the broken rust particles. Clean the particles before using the wrench again.
Step 4: Bring a Pipe Wrench
Even after trying all the above-mentioned steps, your shower head does not unscrew; you can use a pipe wrench. You can follow the steps given here, but make sure you are conscious enough while using this tool.
- In order to make the process more torque, you can attach a steel pipe. This will extend the handle, and you can use it freely.
- With a pipe wrench, you will have to open the shower arm. The pipe wrench will help you to remove the shower arm and then the shower head.
By implementing these steps, you can easily remove a stuck shower head. Once you do that, you do not have to be worried anymore thinking about how to remove a stuck shower head.
However, after removing the stuck shower head and installing a new one, you need to implement some additional steps too. These steps will make sure that your shower head does not get stuck again. What are those steps? See here to know it all.
Cleaning Your Shower Head Is Equally Important
If you need to reinstall your old shower head, cleaning is an essential step that you need to take in order to make sure that it doesn’t get restuck again.
Step 1: Soak your shower head in vinegar overnight.
To remove the rust and mineral build-up from your shower head thoroughly, you need to clean it extensively. However, only water would not be able to remove the hard rust particles from your shower head. Hence, apply the following steps.
- Keep your shower head in a small basin.
- Pour distilled vinegar in it and mix it with water until the basin is completely full and the shower head is submerged in it.
- Let the shower head sink inside the vinegar mixture overnight.
- In the morning, wash the shower head in cold water.
Step 2: Use a brush to clear the accumulated rust particles
After cleaning the shower head using cold water, there will be some stubborn particles remaining inside it. At that time, you would have to use a brush to clear those particles out.
- You can mix a rust remover in the vinegar.
- Use a wire brush and clean the treads properly to remove the small rust particles.
Step 3: Cleaning your shower arm
Reattaching your shower head in an unclean shower arm is dangerous. Your shower head will again get stuck if you do not clean the shower arm.
- Remove the Teflon tape from the tread of the shower arm. You can use a wire brush or Exacto-knife to remove it.
- Pour some lubricant or rust remover on the tread and leave it for some time.
- Scrub the rust using the wire brush after the allotted time is over.
- Use an old cloth or rag to clean the shower arm.
Steps To Reattaching The Shower Head
These are the final steps you have to follow while reattaching the shower head in the shower arm. Follow these steps to complete the work.
Step 1: Use Plumber’s Tape to Cover the Shower Thread
Applying plumber’s tape is the most important thing while reinstalling your shower head. Otherwise, it can have leaks and cause you more trouble while taking a shower.
- Take enough plumber’s tape to give it a 2-3 layer cover. Wrap the tape in a clockwise pattern on the shower arm thread.
- Press the tape properly on the threads.
- Leave it for some time to ensure that the tapes are totally tight.
Step 2: Attaching the Shower Head
Now, it is high time to prepare your shower arm and fix the shower head in it. You need to attach your shower head properly by following the steps given below.
- Wall mount shower head fixing process- The overhead shower head fixing process is different from the handheld shower.
- Place the shower mount on the arm and tighten the same in a clockwise direction to get the work done.
- Handheld shower fixing process- The shower head is attached with a hose in a handheld shower.
- Place the shower head near the thread of the shower arm. Tighten the fixture by moving the shower head in a clockwise direction.
- Connect the end of your shower hose to the mount and another one to the shower head. Make sure you have tighten the connectors using your hand.
- Now place the shower head in the shower mount.
Step 3: Switch on the water supply.
As all the processes are done, you have to turn on the water supply that you had switched off before starting the work.
- Turn on the faucet and the water valves after your work is done
- Do not forget to check for any leaks near your shower head.
- If you see your shower head is leaking, open it from the connector and put more plumber’s tape and fix it again in the same direction given above.
Your work is done with all the steps implemented in the right way!
Few Words Before Wrapping Up…
We came up with this guide because most customers often get perplexed with a stuck shower head. We have seen that they often come up with one common question — how to remove a stuck shower head.
This step by step guide will be your savior when your shower head is stuck. We have made sure to describe all the steps in detail so that you do not face any hassle while going through the process.
We hope that removing a stuck shower head will no longer be a headache to you from now on.
Good luck and happy showering!
