Funny thing about shower heads—mine started spraying sideways a while back, and I swear it was like getting hit with a garden hose every morning. I’m with you on the plumber’s tape, though. Skipped it once and ended up with a slow drip that drove me nuts for weeks before I finally caved and fixed it right.
I’ve actually had better luck with some of the cheaper plastic models too, which surprised me. I expected them to crack or wear out, but they hung in there. Maybe it’s just luck of the draw or maybe the water here isn’t as hard as in other places.
Vinegar does a number on the mineral buildup, but yeah, that smell lingers. Baking soda helps, but I’ve also tried lemon juice—works okay, plus it smells way better. Anyone else have weird water pressure issues after swapping out a head? Sometimes I feel like I’ve got a firehose, other times it’s like a gentle mist... not sure if it’s the head or something with the pipes.
Honestly, I’m always a bit wary of the cheaper plastic heads. They might last a while, but I’ve seen plenty crack or get weird leaks at the threads after a year or two, especially if you’ve got any water pressure spikes. As for pressure changes, it’s usually the head’s flow restrictor or partial clogging—pipes don’t just randomly change pressure unless there’s a bigger issue. Sometimes those “eco” models just don’t play nice with certain setups. Lemon juice is a solid call for cleaning though—at least the bathroom doesn’t smell like a salad bar afterward.
I get where you’re coming from about the plastic heads, but I’ve actually had a couple last way longer than expected—like, five years and counting. Maybe I just got lucky, or maybe it’s the water in my area? Also, I’ve seen pressure changes from old washers in the valve going bad, not just the head. Sometimes it’s not as simple as a clog or restrictor, especially in older houses.
Yeah, I’ve seen plastic heads last a surprising amount of time too, but it really does seem hit or miss. You’re right about the washers—sometimes the problem’s buried deeper in the valve, especially if you’re dealing with older plumbing. Ever notice any leaks around the handle or weird noises when turning the water on? That can point to valve wear, not just a crusty head. And honestly, I always recommend shutting off the main before poking around in there... old pipes can be unpredictable.
Had a similar mess last winter—thought it was just a gunked-up head, but nope, turned out the diverter valve was half shot. Water was spraying every direction except where I wanted. If you’re hearing odd squeaks or getting leaks around the handle, that’s usually a sign the valve’s on its way out. I always shut off the main before opening anything up, but even then, old pipes can surprise you... had one shear off at the threads once. Not fun.
