There will always come a time when you will need to either change a component in your shower head or replace the entire shower head.
It could be replacing your shower filter because they are clogged and can no longer be used, replacing or removing the flow restrictor in your shower head to increase or decrease water pressure, or replacing a worn-out washer that is causing a leak between the hose and shower head, or simply replacing an old shower head with a new one.
No matter what the reason is, you will need to know how to remove a stuck shower head without damaging it or your plumbing. This should be an easy task but what do you do when it is stuck and won’t come off? You don’t want to use a lot of force and risk breaking the shower head or worse, the plumbing behind it.
This article will guide you through how to remove a stuck shower head without the use of any tools.
Why Your Shower Head Is Stuck And Can’t Come Off Easily
When you buy a new shower head, you see how it easily screws onto the shower arm. The same goes for when you need to unscrew and remove it. But there will be times when it just doesn’t want to come off, no matter how much you turn it.
This is because of the following reasons:
- Mineral deposits
- Rust build-up
- Incorrect installation
- Dent
1. Mineral Deposits
One of the most common reasons for a stuck shower head is mineral deposits. The water that flows through the shower heads and onto the shower heads contains minerals and can find its way into the threads.
Over time, these minerals will build up and can cause the threads to become stuck. It is more common in households with hard water but can also happen with soft water if not cleaned for a long period of time.
2. Rust Build-Up
Another reason for a stuck shower head is rust. If you see any orange-colored buildup on the connection between the shower head and shower arm, then this is most likely rust. Metal shower heads are more prone to rust but plastic shower heads can also suffer from this problem.
Rust between the shower head and shower arm connection will prevent the smooth and easy turning that is needed to unscrew the shower head. Think of it as trying to turn a rusty door knob, it is much harder to do.
3. Incorrect Installation
Incorrect installation is another common reason for a stuck shower head. By incorrect installation, I mean not aligning the shower head and shower arm or shower hose very well before screwing them together.
If they are not aligned well, then it can cause the connection to be cross-threaded. Cross-threading will cause the threads to become damaged and will make it very difficult, if not impossible, to unscrew the shower head.
4. Dent
A dent on either the shower arm or shower head can also cause a stuck shower head especially if it occurs where the shower head and shower hose meet.
Dents can damage the threads and cause them to become misshapen which will make it difficult to unscrew the shower head.
Practical Ways To Remove Stuck Shower Heads
If your shower head becomes stuck, don’t worry. There are easy ways to remove it without any tools. When using any of these methods, you will have to increase the strength of your hands to help you loosen the stuck shower head. You may also need a towel to help you get a firm grip on the shower head.
You can do any of the following techniques to help you unscrew a stuck shower head:
- Use hot water
- Immerse in white vinegar
- Use lubricant or penetrating oil
1. Using Hot Water To Help Unscrew Stuck Shower Head
wondering why hot water can help to remove a stuck shower head? Here’s how. This works especially with metal shower heads. The hot water will help with two things. It will aid help to expand the metal for you to easily remove it and it will also help break down some build-up.
Fill up a pot with water, place it on the stove, and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, carefully pour the water over the entire shower head (be careful not to get burned). Bear in mind that you can only do this with a handheld shower head as you risk burning yourself if you do it on a fixed shower head.
The heat from the water will help expand any metals and loosen up any mineral deposits that might be holding on tight. Let it sit for a few minutes before trying to unscrew it by hand.
Be careful when unscrewing as the shower head will be hot. Use a towel to protect your hands when unscrewing. When successful, run cold water over the shower head for a few minutes.
Be mindful that boiling water can damage some finishes.
2. Unscrewing Stuck Shower Head With The Help Of White Vinegar
This is a more natural way of trying to break down any mineral deposits or rust build-up that might be causing your shower head to become stuck. The acidity in the vinegar will do the trick.
Simply fill up a container or pot with white vinegar and immerse the shower head in it. You can also pour the vinegar into a ziplock bag, place it over the shower head, and then secure it in place with a rubber band or hair tie.
Let it soak for at least 3 hours. After soaking, the minerals should have loosened and you should be able to unscrew the shower head by hand. If not, repeat the process until it comes loose.
3. Applying Lubricant To Help Unscrew Stuck Shower Head
If you don’t have any white vinegar on hand, another option is to use a lubricant. As soon as you hear lubricant, you know it works by reducing friction between two surfaces.
Just apply some lubricant to the shower head threads and let it sit for at least 20 minutes before trying to unscrew it by hand. The more it sits, the better as it will have time to penetrate and lubricate the threads.
How To Prevent Shower Head From Getting Stuck
Now that you know how to remove a stuck showerhead, let’s talk about how you can prevent it from happening again.
- Make sure you align the shower head properly with the shower arm or hose when screwing it back on. This will prevent it from cross-threading which can cause damage to the threads.
- Regular cleaning and maintenance of the shower head will prevent rust and limescale build-up on the threads. You can carry out regular cleaning with soap and water every week and deep cleaning with vinegar every month.
- You can consider installing a water softener if you live in an area with hard water. This will help to reduce limescale build-up.
Final Words
There you have it, a few ways that can help you remove a stuck shower head without the need for tools. Be sure to use the proper safety precautions when working with hot water or chemicals. Using any of these methods should mostly do the trick.
However, there are some extreme cases that you might need to use a pipe wrench or strap wrench but hopefully, it won’t come to that.
