If you have a shower with a fixed head, it’s probably going to get stuck at some point. Whether it’s because of limescale or just general wear and tear, sooner or later your shower head is going to become stuck. You might find this frustrating, but don’t panic! Getting a stuck shower head off isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it’s actually quite easy. Depending on the type of head that you have, there are different ways in which you can remove a stuck shower head. Keep reading to find out more.
How To Remove A Stuck Shower Head
1. Remove the shower head from the wall and the holder
If you have a shower with a fixed head, make sure that you remove it from the wall. Otherwise, you risk damaging your walls. If your shower head is fixed to your holder, make sure that you don’t just pull it out. Instead, lift it up and take it off. You should now be able to remove the whole thing – including your shower hose – in one piece. Check out our guide to removing a stuck shower head for more details on this step.
2. Remove any debris blocking the way
If you can see any debris blocking your way, simply use a pair of pliers to remove it. Once this is done, there should be enough space for you to get a grip on the head itself and pull it free from its base or holder. If there isn’t enough room in which to work, then call in some help! Ask friends or family members who are strong enough to help get the job done quickly and easily (they’ll probably enjoy doing so too). Alternatively, if they aren’t up for helping you out with this job yourself, give them our handy guide on how to remove a stuck shower head as a gift! It will come as a huge relief when they can finally use their hands again!
3. Take off all of your fixtures first
Before removing your stuck shower head, take off everything else that is attached to your shower. This will make things a lot easier. If you want to remove the shower head itself, then simply pull it out from the wall. If you have a holder that’s attached to your shower, then remove it first of all. This will also help you in removing your shower head as well as any other parts that are stuck on the holder.
4. Get a wrench or pliers and loosen the screws
The next thing that you need is a wrench or pliers so that you can get into those screws and undo them. Use these tools to tighten them if necessary, then do whatever you need to do until they are completely loose! If there are any other parts attached to your shower head, make sure that you remove them before moving on to step 5!
5. Pull the head free from its base or holder
If there isn’t enough space in which to work, then call in some help! Ask friends or family members who are strong enough to help get the job done quickly and easily (they’ll probably enjoy doing so too). Alternatively, if they aren’t up for helping you out with this job yourself, give them our handy guide on how to remove a stuck shower head as a gift! It will come as a huge relief when they can finally use their hands again!
Why Is My Shower Head Stuck?
1. Limescale
Limescale is the most common cause of a shower head becoming stuck. It’s usually found on shower heads that haven’t been cleaned for a long time, or where there is an accumulation of dirt and grime. This build-up causes the head to become less flexible and therefore more likely to snap off when you try to move it.
2. Oily Shower Heads
Oily showers are especially prone to the buildup of limescale, which can cause a stuck shower head in a very short space of time. If you notice that your shower head is becoming more rigid, or seems as if it might snap off, it may be time to give your shower head a clean!
3. Water Pressure Problems
The problem with water pressure in your home is that it isn’t constant – it fluctuates throughout the day and night. If there are any leaks or cracks in your pipes, this will cause water pressure fluctuations which can lead to problems with your shower head sticking! Some people think that using the hand-held shower nozzle is the best way to fix this problem but this won’t work for everyone as some types of hand-held nozzles will not fit certain types of heads properly! The best way to solve this problem is by installing a new shower head with adjustable pressure settings (see below). Check out our guide on how to install an adjustable hand-held nozzle here…
4. Old Head Installation
Over time, your shower head can become loose, which is why it’s important that you check the installation of your shower head regularly. If the shower head is installed incorrectly and doesn’t have a secure grip on the pipe, it could be a contributing factor to why your shower head is sticking.
5. Hand-held Shower Nozzles
Hand-held nozzles are very versatile and can be used on many different types of showers. However, they don’t always fit all types of showers properly, so it’s best not to use them if they don’t fit properly. The best way to avoid this problem altogether is by installing an adjustable hand-held nozzle (see below). Check out our guide on how to install an adjustable hand-held nozzle here.
Using A Hose To Remove A Stuck Shower Head
- Turn the shower head to a position where water flows out of the shower head. This is called ‘off’.
- Using a hose, turn on a small amount of water to create a small amount of suction or suction force. If you can’t find any water source that is turned on, you can use your finger to create some suction force by pinching and releasing your finger over and over again. Make sure to keep this up for at least 30 seconds so that the suction force builds up enough to remove the shower head from its socket.
- Slowly and carefully remove the shower head from its socket using the hose, being careful not to snap it off at the base.
- Once the shower head is off, use a cloth or a cloth to clean the shower head and socket.
Using Chemical Residue To Loosen The Shower Head Screw
- If your shower head is stuck in the full ‘on’ position, then you’ll need to get a chemical product. If it’s likely that your shower head has accumulated a lot of build-up of limescale, then you will need to get a product that’s designed for removing limescale from showers. You can buy these products from most DIY stores and hardware shops. The type of chemical product you need to remove lime scale depends on the type and quality of the head. For example, if your shower head is made from plastic, then you would use a rust-repellent chemical spray.
- Once you have bought the right product for removing lime scale and removing any visible signs of buildup on your shower head, you are ready to start cleaning it! Take a soft cloth, or better still an old towel, and soak it in warm soapy water before applying it to the surface of your shower head. A good way to do this is by holding the rag under running water before dipping it into the soapy water and using this method to wipe away all traces of soap residue from your shower head.
- Now take some more warm soapy water and apply some more pressure to wipe away any remaining soap residue with your soft cloth or towel again before rinsing off the surface with clean water by running some clean water over it through multiple washes until no soap residue can be seen on its surface anymore. It is important to clean the shower head with warm soapy water and then rinse off the surface of your shower head with clean water as you will be able to see any residue that is left behind.
- Use your soft cloth or towel to wipe away any remaining soap residue from your shower head and then rinse off the surface of your shower head with warm water again. Your shower head should now look clean and shiny. You can now use your soft cloth or towel to dry off the surface of your shower head before re-applying it in its full position on top of the wall bracket for a better grip and to make sure that it doesn’t move around.
Conclusion
If you want to know how to remove a stuck shower head, then this guide will have all the information you need. Read it through and make sure that you get the job done correctly the first time. If you’re struggling with a stuck shower head, then find out how to remove a stuck shower head fast.
