How to Fix a Showerhead

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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A troublesome showerhead can leave water spraying out in too many directions or none at all. Leaking can be another problem, but this doesn't necessarily mean that you need a new showerhead. While showerheads do eventually wear out, try these ways to fix your current showerhead for a more enjoyable shower now.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Adjustable wrenches or locking-jaw pliers
Teflon tape
Replacement O-ring or other seal for swivel leaks

Step1

Assess the location of the problem. Check for connection leaks between the showerhead and arm or at the swivel. Wild spraying or reduced flow of water usually indicates a showerhead clogged with sediment or mineral deposits.

Step2

Protect the shower arm by placing a cloth or duct tape on the jaws of your wrench or pliers before you start fixing.

Step3

Hold the shower arm in place with a wrench or pliers while turning the connection for the showerhead counterclockwise with another wrench or pliers. Remove the showerhead.

Step4

Examine the showerhead for grime and mineral deposits. Rinse out any sediment, before soaking the showerhead for several hours in vinegar or a lime and calcium remover to remove mineral deposits. You may also have to do some careful scraping.

Step5

Rinse the showerhead under warm running water. Use a straight pin to remove leftover grime from holes in the showerhead by poking the pin through the holes.

Step6

Clean pipe threads where the shower arm connects with the showerhead. Wrap Teflon tape clockwise around the pipe threads in the shower arm. Screw your showerhead back in place.

Step7

Fix a leak at the showerhead swivel by removing the head from the swivel-ball and replacing the O-ring.