skip to main content

Plumbing Bathrooms

Please help. I can’t change out my shower head!

last year

last modified: last year

I have a very old teledyne water pik handheld shower head. I tried to change it out yesterday. But what I found is a metal *hex nut?* (not sure that’s what it’s called) with a round ball thing on it (pivot ball or water flow restrictor, maybe?) which is attached to the water line that comes out of the wall. I CANNOT get that metal thing detached in order to screw the new one on. I have used a wrench like pictured below. I sprayed WD-40 on it. Right now I have a plastic storage bag full of vinegar wrapped around the metal thing with duck tape to try to dissolve crud that may be preventing its removal.

I don’t want to have to call a plumber for this. How do I get that metal nut thing off? ETA: I think this might be the model: https://www.waterpik.com/shower-head/pdfs/20022966-F-Hidden-Ball-HH-manual.pdf

Advice please?

Below is the best photo i could find to depict the configuration. This isn’t my model, but it’s the only pic I could find with a sliding cover (flange?) over the metal nut thing. (BTW, the new showerhead fits fine on my other shower which has a standard shower head which was easily removable.)

Red: the dastardly metal nut that won’t come off

Blue: the plastic flange thingy covering the round ball part of the water flow restrictor? It slides UP the water line when not covering the metal nut (this is not my exact model)

Below is what I need to access, but the metal thing from the old waterpik won’t come off

The old one kind of looks like this

This is the part of the old one I was able to remove.

The type of wrench I’ve been using.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

kudzu9
last year
1. Quit using a pair of pliers. A proper wrench with flat faces will give you a proper grip and not mar the nut.

2. Detach the hose from the plastic holder.

3. With that out of the way, use the wrench to turn the nut in the correct direction: counterclockwise as you face the wall.

4. If the nut is really stuck on, you could spray it with a product called PB Blaster, which is good at freeing up stuck plumbing parts.

5. If it is super corroded, and won't come loose, you may end up unscrewing the chrome pipe coming out of the wall. This is ok: you can get another one for a few bucks, wrap teflon tape on the threads, and screw it in when you mount a new shower head. Don't try to get the pipe tight with a tool: once you mount the nut for the new shower head on it, you put the wrench on the nut and turn it until everything is tight.
ditnc thanked kudzu9
ditnc
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Thank you kudzu. I tried a wrench last night after the all-day soak with vinegar. I (tried to) turn it counterclockwise, but no dice.

This is beyond my skill level. I can’t see where the pipe comes out of the wall, and the thought of breaking that scares me.

I called the plumber today because Lowes (who will install a shower head and is less expensive than a plumber) couldn’t answer the Q: ”what if it’s so corroded it won’t budge? Can your installer handle replacing the pipe if it is damaged or becomes necessary?” He just kept saying “screw it off counterclockwise and put the new one on.” (He basically ignored everything I had explained to him.)

So I scheduled my plumber for next Thursday. I don’t need a potentially less-than-skilled Lowe‘s contractor screwing up my plumbing.

I read about PB Blaster, but I’ve spent 2 days on this and decided to rely on a pro. Maybe the plumber will show me some mercy price-wise if it’s a simple fix for him.

I do appreciate your reply though! Thank you.

ETA: On 2nd thought, I’m going to try PB blaster with a bigger wrench tomorrow. Fingers crossed!
Related Discussions
Help! I can't figure out what these insects are!
Q
Comments (2)
Where do you live?
...See More
I can't help it....I love my brass shower surround
Q
Comments (21)
Ruthie, honest to goodness... please don't be swayed by those idiot youngfolk (and I say that as someone who just passed early 30s) on HGTV. These are people who seem to consider it 3rd world to have anything less than a massive, dedicated master bath suite with a separate shower, sunken tub and double vanity (tell me, is it really that hard NOT to do the spit part of brushing your teeth at the exact same time? How about they just take turns using the sink? Somehow my husband and I have managed to coordinate this for years). They get all excited about a gas stove and the fact that it's stainless without knowing WHY they even want a gas stove, or anything about how well the darn thing heats or how evenly it cooks -- I've never seen anyone with a copy of Consumers Reports on those shows. They demand a huge, professional cooking space for what? To make lasagna? Boxed mac and cheese? A turkey on Thanksgiving? Please. Think about it. You can't take them seriously! I agree that brass is back; it'll just take the mainstream a bit to catch up. You love it, so why spend the money when you'll just end up wishing you hadn't in a few years? And, if you really want to spend the money, why not just share it with us instead. ;) We'll appreciate it much more than some store anyhow.
...See More
Can't stand changing my mind daily, please help w/ upstairs plan!
Q
Comments (5)
I simply prefer plan 2; seems to me that it has more visual spaciousness. (I just don't care for staring a wall a few feet away when sitting...) Do consider which -if either- plan has enough space to make cleaning around the toilet easy instead of an acrobatic exercise. As one who lives with similar-to-plan A, I've learned that having more than 6" between commode and wall would have made life a lot easier, or else my arms need to be several inches longer :)
...See More
I can’t figure out my living room...
Q
Comments (28)
I lifted this from someone's website. It's good info. Ultra suede microfiber comes in different qualities so that's something to be aware of. It's not costly as I purchase it for $2.99 yd at a local fabric mill/outlet. I'm not trying to dissuade or persuade you but I just wish more young families were aware of this "silver bullet". First a photo of a sofa/chaise in an off-white and then the info follows. So microfiber is a bit of a polarizing fabric. Some love it, others hate it. It is undeniable that good quality microfibers provide the best combination of durability, stain resistance and clean-ability. I’m mainly talking about Ultrasuede, here. It really does feel like suede, unlike some cheaper microfibers. And I’ve heard stories of Sharpie disasters on Ultrasuede-upholstered furniture being averted with a rubbing alcohol and elbow grease. Even WHITE! Want to talk double rubs? How does 200,000 strike you? It doesn’t get any better than this. Lots of color options, too (solids). If you are environmentally conscious, Ultrasuede is a great choice, as it is made from 100% recycled fibers.
...See More
kudzu9
last year
Good luck. Whatever you end up doing, please post a progress report on how it got resolved.

Related Stories

LIFE You Said It: ‘Just Because I’m Tiny Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Go Big’

By Becky Harris

Changing things up with space, color and paint dominated the design conversations this week

DECLUTTERING Can’t Figure Out What ‘Sparks Joy’? Try This Question Instead

By Laura Gaskill

If you can’t decide whether to keep something or let it go, shift your perspective to find the answer

HOUZZ PRODUCT NEWS How to Help a Client Visualize a Project When You Can’t Meet

By Erin Carlyle

Inspiration photos, mood boards, 3D models, sample boxes and even drones help bridge the gap in a remote client meeting

REMODELING GUIDES Ask an Architect: How Can I Carve Out a New Room Without Adding On?

When it comes to creating extra room, a mezzanine or loft level can be your best friend

HOUZZ PRODUCT NEWS How Designers Can Help Clients Work as a Team

By Bryan Anthony

Build a collaborative atmosphere and ease homeowners into decisions to head off potential conflicts between them

0

HOUZZ PRODUCT NEWS How Builders Can Help Clients Work as a Team

By Bryan Anthony

Build a collaborative atmosphere and ease homeowners into decisions to head off potential conflicts between them

LIGHTING Help! I Need a Light!

THE POLITE HOUSE The Polite House: Can I Put a Remodel Project on Our Wedding Registry?

Find out how to ask guests for less traditional wedding gifts

FEEL-GOOD HOME How Your Home Can Help You Get 8 Hours of Sleep

By Sarah Warwick

A long and undisturbed night’s sleep is good for your health, research shows. Check out these ways to slumber better

BATHROOM DESIGN See How Swapping Out Just 3 Things Changes This Bathroom

By Jennifer Ott Design

What a difference a new vanity, rug and wall color can make

Sponsored

NME Builders LLC

2 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, OH

More Discussions

Best skirted toilet for reduced clogs?

27

bathroom remodel

5

Refrigerator Water Filters

8

Why don't more people have Farmhouse sinks in the Bathrooms?

41

Which wall-hung toilet model actually works well?

1