Removing Your showerhead: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fitting a Filter
Finally, you’ve decided it’s time to take care of your showerwater-quality woes by installing a filtration system. However, upon inspecting your shower, you realize that your head is stuck and refuses to budge. Fear not! In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of removing stubborn showerheads, so you can enjoy clean and odor-free water flowing from every shower experience.
Determine the Type of showerhead
Before you can remove the showerhead, you need to identify which type of installation you have. There are two primary types:
- Slip-on showerhead: Your showerhead simply slides into place and is held on by friction. This one is relatively easy to remove.
- Scalet-type showerhead or threaded showerhead: Both of these require a quarter-turn to release the filter or a specific tool like an Allen wrench.
Identify your type of installation to proceed accordingly.
Removing Slip-on Showerhead
- Inspect the showerhead: A slip-on showerhead comes loose with a simple grab and twist motion. Sometimes, it might require applying some gentle pressure while grabbing the showerhead.
- Gently twist your showerhead counterclockwise to release the threaded connection.
- Using your hands or a grip, grasp the showerhead and twist it again toward the opposite direction. In most cases, this suffices to release the stubborn showerhead.
- Clean any debris within the shower arm: Water and soap residue can become lodged within the shower head’s recessed area.
Removing Scalet-type Showerhead or threaded Showerhead
- Locate the key: The key to removable Scalet-type Showerheads is identifying the location of the set screw securing the showerhead.
Find the small pinhole set screw or hex key groove on the side of your showerhead. - Apply gentle force : Hold your Allen key or screwdriver firmly alongside the set screw, positioned at a slight angle matching the groove. Slowly turn the set screw the opposite direction to release traction.
- Break the seal : Be patient and carefully rotate further until the set screw turns freely. Then, slightly twist the showerhead for release.
Finalizing the Installation of Your Filtering System
After removing and cleaning your showerhead opening, follow the manufacturer instructions for your new filtration filter. Install the filter’s O-ring seal onto a clean, dry surface matching the shower arm threads’ diameter. Once securely clicked into place, hand the filter into position.
Make sure the threads on new filter and the shower handle are properly aligned and match. If there are tiny gaps, fill with plumber’s foam or silicone grease for protection against water leakage.
Additional Tips:
- In case your showerhead develops mineral buildup or scaling; soak it in vinegar first before attempting to remove: This helps dissolve any built-up mineral residue, minimizing the force needed to slide it off.
2, For more stuck shower heads, you may want to apply gentle pressure. Be cautious to avoid prying or pulling with substantial force, which may detach the shower arm from adjacent pipes.
Removing a stiff showerhead doesn’t automatically mean it will stay cleaner. Regular maintenance like gentle scrubbing, rinsed with water and soap regularly, or apply silicone-friendly cleaning products.
Conclusion:
Installing a reliable shower filter system has been deemed a game-changer! By following this simple user guide, you’ll never have to compromise your comfort without the benefits of cleaner fresh water again.
Hi everyone I am currently trying to remove this showerhead but it just wont budge. I need to install a new filter. Anyone know anything about it ??
The part of the showerhead, between the joint and that blue tape has a pair of flat spots on it so you can get a wrench on it. Slip the wrench on there and turn counter-clockwise (relative to you facing the wall). If it won’t turn, you may need to apply some penetrating oil just before the fitting to help loosen the threads.
TIL: Some showers have filters.
Make sure you don’t move the pipe coming out of the wall. If it doesn’t come easily, don’t force it, call someone. Any relatively handy person can do it, but if you think a plumber is expensive, imagine how expensive a burst pipe in your wall is.
As was mentioned, there are flats you can fit a wrench to. If it still doesn’t want to budge, you can try hitting that end with a heat gun. It might expand the metal enough that it’ll break loose of the build-up inside. A weak acid like vinegar dripped onto the open end (the one facing the wall) might also be able to dissolve the crud.
You may need to get a strap wrench to hold the neck in place while unscrewing the head.
Put a wrench on the flat part and turn counter clockwise
Righty-tighty, lefty-loosy.
Spin it off counter-clockwise.
Channel locks
I’d put a pipe wrench on the pipe coming out of the wall to make sure it doesn’t turn, as i use another on the fitting over the blue silicone tape and lefty loosey. Because righty tighty.