"wrapping it about 3-4 times usually does the trick. Any more than that and it seems to bunch up and leak worse."
Exactly right. I've seen people go nuts with plumber's tape thinking more is better, but it just ends up pushing itself out of the threads and causing leaks. Three wraps, snug but not overly tight, usually seals nicely. And yeah, the basic white tape is perfectly fine for showerheads—no need to overcomplicate things unless you're dealing with gas or high-pressure fittings. Good call.
"Exactly right. I've seen people go nuts with plumber's tape thinking more is better, but it just ends up pushing itself out of the threads and causing leaks."
Couldn't agree more. People seem to think plumber's tape is some magical fix-all—I've even seen someone wrap it like ten times around the threads thinking it'd stop a leak. Spoiler alert: it didn't. Honestly, three wraps is usually enough if you're careful about how you apply it. More than that and you risk deforming the threads slightly or causing uneven sealing.
One thing I'd add though—make sure you're wrapping the tape clockwise around the threads (assuming you're looking at the threaded end). It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many times I've had to redo someone's DIY job because they wrapped it backwards. Doing that basically causes the tape to unravel as you tighten the fitting, making leaks inevitable. Just a heads-up for anyone new to this...
Yeah, good point about direction—I learned that the hard way after my first DIY plumbing adventure. Also worth checking if the showerhead itself is clogged or damaged... sometimes buildup or cracks can cause weird spray patterns, not just thread issues.
Had a similar issue once, turned out to be mineral buildup inside the showerhead. Vinegar soak overnight did wonders. But yeah, cracks can be sneaky too—had one tiny hairline crack that sprayed water sideways like a mini sprinkler... took me forever to spot it. Maybe worth double-checking yours closely?
"Had a similar issue once, turned out to be mineral buildup inside the showerhead. Vinegar soak overnight did wonders."
Vinegar's definitely handy, but I'd caution against assuming it's always mineral buildup. Had a client recently with a similar spraying issue—turned out their water pressure regulator was faulty. Pressure was way too high, causing even tiny imperfections or slight debris in the showerhead to spray wildly. Have you noticed if other faucets or fixtures seem overly forceful lately? Might be worth checking your home's water pressure just to rule that out.
Also, cracks can indeed be sneaky, but sometimes they're more obvious under pressure. Try running the shower briefly without the head attached—if the water still sprays oddly or pulses, it might point to plumbing rather than the showerhead itself. Just something else to consider before you spend too much time soaking things in vinegar overnight...
