Taking the showerhead apart is definitely the way to go if you’re dealing with years of mineral crud, especially in older places. I’ve seen some so clogged up that vinegar alone just doesn’t cut it—sometimes you need to give it a good scrub with an old toothbrush, too. Just watch out for those cheap plastic threads; they can crack if you overtighten when putting things back together. I usually put a little plumber’s grease on the threads before reassembling, helps prevent sticking next time.
One thing I’d add: if you’re in a hard water area, those buildup issues come back faster than you’d think. I’ve even seen folks swap out their showerheads every couple years just to avoid the hassle. Not saying everyone needs to go that far, but sometimes a new one is less headache than fighting with one that’s seen better days...
sometimes you need to give it a good scrub with an old toothbrush, too. Just watch out for those cheap plastic threads; they can crack if you overtighten when putting things back together.
Yeah, those plastic threads are a nightmare—seen plenty of folks overtighten and end up with a leaky mess. I’d also add, sometimes the rubber washer inside the showerhead gets brittle or warped from age or hard water. Even after a deep clean, if that washer’s shot, you’ll still get weird spray patterns or leaks. Honestly, if it’s a $20 head that’s been up there for years, sometimes it’s just not worth the hassle.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from about just tossing the old showerhead, but I’ve actually had some luck reviving even the cheap ones. Sometimes it’s not just the washer or mineral buildup—those little nozzles can get clogged with gunk that a quick soak in vinegar and a poke with a pin can clear up. I’ve had tenants swear their shower was done for, but after a bit of fiddling, it worked like new.
That said, I do agree that if the plastic threads are stripped or cracked, it’s probably a lost cause. Still, if you’re dealing with hard water, even new heads can start acting up pretty fast. Swapping out washers or giving things a deep clean every so often can buy you more time than you’d think. Sometimes it’s worth a shot before heading to the hardware store... unless you’re itching for an upgrade anyway.
I get the appeal of salvaging what you can, but sometimes those old showerheads are just determined to misbehave no matter how much vinegar or TLC you throw at them. I tried the soak-and-poke routine on mine last year—ended up with water shooting sideways and a face full of surprise every morning. At a certain point, especially if the spray pattern's gone rogue and you're dodging jets, a new head might just save your sanity (and your bathroom walls). Not saying never try to fix it, but sometimes it's less hassle to just upgrade and call it a day.
I get the appeal of salvaging what you can, but sometimes those old showerheads are just determined to misbehave no matter how much vinegar or TLC you throw at them.
Had a similar issue not long ago—sometimes you just can't win with those old fixtures. Curious, did you check for mineral buildup inside the arm or just the showerhead itself? Sometimes the clog's further back than you'd expect.
