I had a similar mess with an old brass head—looked awesome but sprayed like a busted sprinkler no matter what I tried. I did the vinegar soak and poked at the holes, but it just made the spray pattern worse. Ever notice how some of those old heads just don’t wanna cooperate after a certain point? Ended up swapping to a newer plastic one (wasn’t thrilled at first), but honestly, it’s been way less hassle. Do you think the low-flow ones actually help with water pressure, or is that just marketing?
I’ve wondered about the low-flow thing too. When I swapped out my old metal head for a newer WaterSense one, I was expecting to hate it, but it actually felt like the pressure was better, even though it’s technically using less water. I think it’s more about how the water’s directed than the actual pressure. Some of the cheap ones just kind of mist everywhere, but the decent ones seem to focus the spray better. Still, nothing beats the look of those old brass heads... just wish they worked as good as they looked.
That’s a good observation about the WaterSense heads—sometimes less really is more, depending on how the jets are designed. I’ve noticed that when people complain about “spray everywhere but down,” it’s almost always either a clog or mineral buildup messing with the flow pattern, or just a poorly engineered head. Have you ever tried cleaning out the nozzles on one of those old brass models to see if it helps restore a more focused spray? Some of them get pretty gunked up over time, especially with hard water.
Have you ever tried cleaning out the nozzles on one of those old brass models to see if it helps restore a more focused spray? Some of them get pretty gunked up over time, especially with hard water.
Totally agree—mineral buildup is a sneaky culprit. I had an old shower head that was spraying sideways until I soaked it in vinegar overnight. Made a world of difference and saved me from buying a new one. Sometimes the simplest fix is the cheapest, which is always a win in my book.
Honestly, vinegar works wonders for a lot of folks, but I’ve seen some old brass heads where soaking just isn’t enough. Sometimes the mineral buildup gets so packed in there that you need to take it a step further. I usually recommend unscrewing the shower head and using a small brush or even a toothpick to poke out the stubborn bits after soaking.
Sometimes the simplest fix is the cheapest, which is always a win in my book.
Totally get that, but if you’re still getting weird spray patterns after cleaning, check for worn-out rubber washers or seals inside the head. Those can crack or harden over time and mess with water flow just as much as gunk does. Replacing those is cheap and can make an old shower head work like new again.
Had a customer once who swore by vinegar but ended up needing a new washer—problem solved in five minutes. Sometimes it’s not just about cleaning, it’s about checking all the little parts that wear out over time.
