How to remove shower head can seem like an impossible task if you’ve never done it before. With so many different kinds of shower heads on the market and few helpful tutorials available, how do you even know where to start? The good news is that removing shower heads isn’t as complicated as it might seem, and this simple guide will show you everything you need to know.
Learn how to remove your old shower head so you can replace it with something new and better!
Use links below for easy navigation
How to Remove a Shower Head
Reasons Your Shower Head is hard to remove
How to Replace Shower Head
Bottom Line
How to Remove a Shower Head
If you’ve ever wondered how to remove a shower head, you’re not alone. Removing the head from the pipe can seem like a complex process, but with these 3 easy steps, you’ll be able to do it in no time!
1st Step: Remove Shower Head by Hand
First, turn the locking nut or handle counterclockwise until it unscrews from the shower pipe. Remove it and pull off the old shower head. If you need more leverage while you are doing this, hold on to the pipe with one hand while turning with the other.
The new shower head will come with a connector that connects it to your shower pipe. Follow the instructions included with the new shower head to connect it to this connector.
Related: Moen Magnetix Shower Head Review
2nd Step: Use Pliers or a Wrench to Remove Shower Head
Shower heads can be a hassle to remove. They are often made with a strong material that’s not easy to break, and you may be afraid of damaging your shower head if you try to remove it with a blunt tool.
The good news is that there are ways around these barriers! You don’t need a heavy hammer to loosen the seal between your shower head and its housing. If you’ve got some pliers or a wrench, you’re good to go!
You can use pliers or a wrench to remove your shower head. If you are using a wrench, wrap the rag around the handle and tighten it as much as possible.
Next, turn the wrench or plier counterclockwise until you feel it loosen slightly. Once it is loose, unscrew your shower head without damaging it.
Related: Shower valve height
3rd Step: Remove a Stuck Shower Head with Vinegar
If your shower head is stuck, you can try using vinegar. Vinegar is a mild acid that will help loosen up the build-up inside the shower head and make it easier to remove.
To use vinegar, first, fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and tie it around the shower head. Leave this overnight, then remove it in the morning. You should be able to see some of the build-up coming loose when you do this. You can now remove the shower head by hand or apply the second step.
This works because vinegar is a stronger acid than just regular soap and will weaken the mineral deposits on the shower head.
Related: Best handheld shower head for low water pressure
Reasons Your Shower Head is hard to remove
There are a lot of reasons for your shower head could be hard to remove.
Some of the most common are:
Rust
Rust is the most common cause of a shower head that won’t remove. Rust is a combination of iron oxide and silica (natural mineral deposits). It forms when water sits on pipes over long periods of time and combines with the iron oxide that’s already in the pipe.
This is quick and easy to fix, though: just use a wire brush on the rust to actually scrub away at it, then wipe down the surface with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Related: How to clean LED shower head
Minerals Buildup
Minerals build up in your pipes as they age. This can cause your shower head to stick as well. The minerals cause the water to harden against the pipe wall, which makes it more difficult for the massaging spray to move through it smoothly.
To fix this problem, simply run hot water through your shower head for a few minutes to flush out any mineral buildup that might be preventing water from flowing freely through the system.
Calcification
Calcification is an issue that happens over time when too much calcium builds up inside your pipes. This causes them to become brittle and crack, which can cause the same problem as above—your shower head not working properly and is difficult to remove because it’s been damaged by calcification. To fix this problem, simply scrape away any deposits using a wire brush or something similar; then rinse off any remaining residue with water.
If you are looking to replace your old shower head with a new one, below are steps you should follow to replace your old shower head with the new one.
Related: Best high pressure handheld shower head
How to Replace Shower Head
If you want to replace your shower head, it’s really not hard!
Things you will need for this include:
- Pliers and a wrench
- Thread seal tape
- An old toothbrush or a small size wire brush
- A piece of cloth
Follow these steps to replace the shower head without any trouble.
Remove Old Shower Head
Remove the old shower head by unscrewing it from the wall. You’ll want to leave the shower head in place while you’re doing this so that water won’t get into the pipes.
Apply Thread Tape
Apply thread tape to the threads on your old showerhead. This will keep water from leaking out as you detach them from their fittings.
Related: How to fix shower head that won’t stop running
Attach New Shower
Attach your new shower head to your old one and tighten it with a wrench or pliers. Be careful not to over-tighten!
Clean out Gunk
Clean out any gunk or debris left behind by cleaning out the threads of your new shower head with a brush or rag.
Related: Shower head made in USA
Why can’t I remove my shower head?
The reason you can’t remove your shower heads is that it is rusted, calcium-stained, or has lime deposits on it. The best way to remove a rust-colored showerhead is by following 2nd step in this guide.
Can I remove the shower head without turning off the water?
The best way to remove a showerhead is to first turn off the water, then remove the showerhead by hand. Keep in mind that you don’t have to turn off the water to the house.
Bottom Line
There are several types of showerheads that are sold at home improvement stores and hardware stores. Some of them are made of plastic, while others are made of metal. Each type can have different levels of difficulty when it comes to removing them from the wall or ceiling.
A metal showerhead is usually the most difficult to remove because it tends to be more firmly attached to the shower head thread. You might need a special tool designed for removing this type of showerhead if you want to take it down yourself.
A plastic showerhead is much easier to remove since most of these types of showerheads are designed with an adhesive backing on them so they stick fairly well without requiring any special tools or techniques for removal.
