I’ve seen folks wrap so much Teflon tape you’d think it was insulation, not a seal. A couple turns really is all you need—any more and you risk splitting the threads or making it harder to tighten things down. Had to chisel off a mess of old tape more times than I’d like to admit. Vinegar’s great for buildup, but if the spray pattern’s still off after cleaning, sometimes those little rubber nozzles are just worn out and it’s time for a new head.
Vinegar’s great for buildup, but if the spray pattern’s still off after cleaning, sometimes those little rubber nozzles are just worn out and it’s time for a new head.
I’ve run into this a lot—sometimes you clean and soak, but the spray still goes wild. Ever notice how some heads just never recover, even after a deep clean? Makes me wonder if the plastic warps over time or if it’s just the rubber nozzles giving up. Have you ever tried poking out the nozzles with a pin before replacing, or is that just delaying the inevitable?
Title: My Shower's Gone Rogue And Sprays Everywhere But Down
I hear you on this—sometimes it feels like no amount of vinegar or scrubbing will bring those old shower heads back from the brink. I’ve definitely tried poking the nozzles with a pin before, and honestly, it’s a mixed bag. Sometimes you get lucky and clear out a stubborn bit of mineral gunk, but more often than not, it just buys you a little time before the spray goes haywire again.
I do think the plastic and rubber just wear out after a while, especially if you’ve got hard water. The constant expansion and contraction from hot showers probably doesn’t help either. I used to be stubborn about replacing things, always trying to stretch every last bit of life out of them, but with shower heads, I’ve learned it’s not always worth the hassle. You can find decent replacements for under $20 these days, and swapping one out is usually a five-minute job.
That said, if you’re really trying to save a buck, poking the nozzles is worth a shot—just be gentle so you don’t tear the rubber. I’ve also heard of people boiling the head in vinegar water to loosen up deposits, but that’s more effort than I’m usually willing to put in.
It’s frustrating when you do everything “right” and still end up with water spraying at weird angles. Sometimes it’s just time to let go and get a new one. At least it’s not a major expense compared to some other home repairs...
Funny timing—I just swapped out my shower head last month after fighting with it for way too long. I tried the vinegar soak and the pin trick, but like you said, it only helped for a bit. Eventually, water started spraying sideways onto the bathroom floor, which was the last straw. Have you noticed if the buildup is worse on certain nozzles, or is it pretty much all over? Sometimes I wonder if using one of those inline filters would make a difference with hard water...
Eventually, water started spraying sideways onto the bathroom floor, which was the last straw.
That sideways spray is the worst—mine used to hit the toilet paper roll every time. I’ve noticed the buildup tends to be worse on the outer nozzles for me, maybe because they’re smaller? I did try an inline filter once, but honestly didn’t see a huge difference. Maybe my water’s just that stubborn...
