If your showerhead's spraying everywhere, it's probably not just about the GPM rating. Usually, mineral buildup or worn-out rubber nozzles cause uneven spray patterns. Try soaking it overnight in vinegar or gently scrubbing the nozzles—might save you from buying a new one altogether.
Vinegar soak can help, sure, but honestly, sometimes it's not just buildup or worn nozzles. I've had showerheads that sprayed everywhere because the internal seal or gasket was shot—no amount of vinegar fixed that. Before you spend all night soaking it, unscrew the head and check the rubber washer inside. If it's cracked or brittle, replacing that tiny piece might solve your problem quicker (and cheaper) than a full overnight soak. Just my two cents...
Good call on checking the washer first. I've seen people soak showerheads overnight, scrub 'em, and still end up with the same spraying mess because they overlooked that tiny rubber gasket. Honestly, half the time it's something ridiculously simple like that. Vinegar's great for mineral buildup, sure, but it won't fix worn-out parts or cracked seals.
One thing I'd add—if your gasket looks fine, check the threading too. Sometimes a bit of plumber's tape wrapped around the threads can make a big difference in getting things sealed up right. Showerheads aren't rocket science, thankfully... usually it's just one small part throwing everything off.
Anyway, you're definitely on the right track. Better to spend five minutes checking that washer than waste a whole night soaking and hoping for a miracle fix. Good luck!
"Sometimes a bit of plumber's tape wrapped around the threads can make a big difference in getting things sealed up right."
Definitely agree with this. Had a similar issue last year—my showerhead decided it wanted to water the ceiling instead of me. I tried soaking it overnight in vinegar, scrubbing it clean, and even replaced the gasket. Thought I'd covered everything, but nope...still spraying everywhere.
Turned out, the threading was slightly worn down. Not enough to be obvious, but just enough to mess up the seal. A few wraps of plumber's tape around the threads fixed it right away. Quick tip though: don't go overboard with the tape. Too much can actually make it harder to screw back on and might even crack the plastic fittings if they're older or brittle.
Also, while you're at it, double-check the shower arm itself. Mine had a tiny hairline crack near the base that I completely missed at first glance. It wasn't leaking noticeably, but it was enough to throw off the water pressure and spray pattern. Ended up replacing the whole arm just to be safe—cheap fix and easy enough to do yourself.
Anyway, good luck sorting it out. Better safe than sorry with plumbing stuff, even if it seems minor.
Haha, showers definitely have minds of their own sometimes. Good call on the plumber's tape—it's like duct tape's underrated cousin.
"Quick tip though: don't go overboard with the tape."
Totally second this. Learned the hard way when I cracked a fitting by wrapping it like a mummy...oops. Anyway, sounds like you're on the right track. Plumbing's always an adventure, but at least it's satisfying when you finally tame the beast.
