I tried fixing mine last year—ended up with a leaky mess and a trip to the hardware store anyway.
Been there, done that... had water spraying at the ceiling instead of me. Did you try soaking the old head in vinegar first? Sometimes it’s just gunked up, not totally shot. But yeah, if the seals are really toast, swapping’s way less headache.
I’ve tried the vinegar trick a couple times—sometimes it works, sometimes it’s just too far gone. Last time, I thought I could save a few bucks by just replacing the washer inside, but I ended up stripping the threads and had to buy a whole new fixture anyway. Did you notice if the leak was coming from the joint or the head itself? Sometimes it’s just that little rubber gasket in there... but if it’s spraying everywhere, maybe it’s more than just buildup.
If it’s spraying everywhere, I’d bet the head’s cracked or the gasket’s shot. Sometimes those old plastic heads just split and no amount of vinegar or new washers will fix it. I’ve had tenants try to tape them up—never works for long. At that point, a new head’s usually the fastest fix. Just be careful not to overtighten when you put the new one on, or you’ll end up with stripped threads again... learned that the hard way myself.
Just be careful not to overtighten when you put the new one on, or you’ll end up with stripped threads again... learned that the hard way myself.
That’s a lesson I’ve had to learn more than once, honestly. It’s tempting to really crank it down, especially if you’re worried about leaks, but hand-tight and a little extra with a wrench is usually plenty. If you’re worried about leaks, a couple wraps of teflon tape on the threads does wonders and saves headaches later.
I’d also add—turn off the water at the shutoff valve before you start. Seems obvious, but I’ve seen folks skip that step and get an unexpected shower mid-repair. And if you’re dealing with old pipes, sometimes a little WD-40 helps loosen things up without forcing it.
You’re right about tape not being a real fix. I’ve tried patching cracked heads with everything from duct tape to epoxy... never lasts. A new head is cheap insurance against future messes (and angry tenants). Just take your time with install, and you’ll be good.
Been there with the “surprise shower” move—nothing wakes you up faster than cold water blasting you in the face when you’re just trying to fix a leak. I’ll second the teflon tape tip, but I’ve also seen folks go overboard and wrap it ten times... two or three is plenty. And yeah, if the old head’s cracked, don’t even bother with patch jobs. It’s like putting a band-aid on a busted dam. New head, little patience, and you’re golden.