If you’re putting things back together, just hand-tighten and give it a quarter turn with pliers—no need to crank down hard.
That’s spot on. I’ve lost count of how many plastic threads I’ve seen stripped from folks going full Hulk on them. One thing I’d add—if you’re in an area with really hard water, sometimes the buildup gets so bad inside the pipe itself that even a new showerhead won’t help much. Ever tried flushing out the supply line before putting the head back on? It’s messy, but it’s solved a few “rogue spray” mysteries for me.
Flushing the line is a good call, but I’d just add—make sure you’ve got a towel or bucket ready, otherwise you’ll be mopping up for days. I learned that the hard way. Also, if you’re dealing with old pipes, go easy when reattaching stuff. Over-tightening can cause leaks or even cracks, especially with cheaper fittings. Sometimes a bit of plumber’s tape does more than brute force.
Towel or bucket, for sure—learned that lesson the messy way too. I’d also say, don’t skimp on the plumber’s tape, but honestly, sometimes those cheap plastic fittings are just doomed to leak no matter what you do. Still, totally agree on not over-tightening... did that once and cracked a connector, ended up spending more than I saved. You’re on the right track though—just gotta go slow and steady.
don’t skimp on the plumber’s tape, but honestly, sometimes those cheap plastic fittings are just doomed to leak no matter what you do.
Right? I swear, some of those plastic bits are just landfill in waiting. I’ve started hunting for metal fittings at the local salvage place—way sturdier, and hey, less plastic waste. Also, if you’re swapping out the showerhead, give the old one a vinegar soak before tossing it. Sometimes it’s just gunked up with mineral crud and not actually broken. Learned that after buying two replacements I didn’t need...
Metal fittings are the way to go—nothing like wrestling with a plastic connector that strips if you even look at it funny. Vinegar soak is a lifesaver too, though I’ll admit I once tried to “fix” a showerhead with a screwdriver and just made it worse... Ever run into those weird old pipes that seem to be made out of mystery metal? I swear, every rental has its own plumbing surprise.
