I am replacing a shower head. Simple. Just unscrew the old one and screw in the new one. Except......the old one, which has been in place for 40+ years, won't budge. What can I do short of breaking the pipe?
2006-11-08 02:06:21 · 10 answers · asked by quilter 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
First, get two pipe pliers - long handled.
Wrap both pliers jaws with masking tape to prevent tearing up things.
Get some penetrating oil (WD-40works fine but the hardware store can help here, Liquid Wrench is a little better)
Drip the oil on the junction of the head with the metal
Let it sit for at least an hour
Grip the shower tube (metal part) with one pliers to keep it from turning.
Grip the shower head portion (should have a flat portion) with the other pliers and turn.
2006-11-08 02:11:24 · answer #1 · answered by NeoArt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try some type of break free spray, maybe heat the joint with a torch. Like was said above, two pipe wrenchs work best, one to turn and one to keep the other pipe from turning
2006-11-08 02:15:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neo Art probably said it best although heat may work.....another trick is to tap on the female part of the shower head that threads onto the shower arm to loosen rust, corrosion, etc......it may take a while but it will eventually come off!!
2006-11-08 09:50:33 · answer #3 · answered by Tripping Billies 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Besides trying liquid penetrants, another trick to break rust loose is heat. If you have a torch, you can try applying some heat to expand the shower head and break it loose.
2006-11-08 03:12:46 · answer #4 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hardware stores carry stuff called Liquid Wrench for just such a problem.
2006-11-08 02:14:30 · answer #5 · answered by CrankyYankee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to pour boiling water over the fitting for about a few mins then try undoing it with a wrench, the limescale must have stuck it together
2006-11-08 02:57:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take a small torch and lightl;y heat up the shower, head and take a pipe wrench and--start turning hons--.
2006-11-08 02:11:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
try spraying w D 40. cooking spray or even cooking oil will work. coat it really well and let it set for a while. you may have to coat it a few times to start loosing.
2006-11-08 02:45:38 · answer #8 · answered by natrich24 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy some wd40 then try it don't break it you will have to re-thread the pipe
2006-11-08 02:08:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try WD40
2006-11-08 02:08:56 · answer #10 · answered by Brad T 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋