I need to replace a showerhead but the old one is plastic and STUCK
by
Debra
+8
It looks as if the plastic one was misthreaded - I have tried WD40 and every sort of wrench or pliers but to no avail - any ideas as to how I can get the old plastic one off (it looks like a ball) ?? Help!
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If it is plastic I would use some CLR to remove any calcium building up. If it is threaded wrong it should leak if not I would think it's building up good luck
Use a wrench and then break the plastic. When you get it off and replace it, make sure to use teflon tape so it does not happen again.
the shower arm can be removed and replaced with the head. You can heat the plastic with a heat gun until it is soft enough to pull off. There are just a few of the ways to remove it. Dont worry you can do this! ;)
goo gone will melt whatever is got the plastic stuck.
Yes. CLR or a vinegar soak (fill a plastic bag and tie it on) to break down calcium buildup - very likely in San Antonio. You can heat the plastic with your hair dryer if you don't own a heat gun, then use all the elbow grease your arms have and a wrench. Make sure you're twisting the right way! Lefty loosey, righty tighty.
It seems like you have already tried basic solutions and not had luck. Mary's suggestion to try CLR is the next step but you can also soak the piece with vinegar in case it is lime and mineral build-up. https://www.waterpik.com/shower-head/blog/how-to-remove-old-shower-head/ ; Make sure you soak the area where the piece is attached to the showerhead.
It MAY have been manufactured as a one piece unit... the plastic part just forced into the curved pipe coming out of the wall. You might have to replace the whole pipe back to the diverter... call a plumber!! If you do manage to get it apart, there might be no way of putting a new end on it!! Then what???
Can you see any pipe threads behind the plastic? If "yes" then it was meant to be replaced, otherwise it was made that way!! (As a one piece unit!)
The shower arem is attached to a threaded pipe that comes out of the wall. Replace the entire set, shower arm and head.
may have to replace
I've tied a plastic bag filled with vinegar onto the shower head and let it soak to eat away any calcium buildup that can keep it from being removed.