How TO FIX
SHOWERHEADS

If your morning shower has lost some of its usual power, blame it (most likely) on hard-water mineral deposits that tend to clog those tiny openings in the nozzle. The following fix is easy to do.

Supplies

• Wrench or groove-joint pliers
• Painters’ or masking tape
• Distilled white vinegar
• Plumbers’ tape
• Old toothbrush

HOW-TO

1. 1. Use wrench or pliers (wrapped in masking or painters’ tape to prevent scarring; see Martha Must on page 48) to remove showerhead. Some experts recommend running water at full force while the showerhead is removed to clear out any debris that might be clogging the pipe.
2. 2. Submerge the showerhead in a bowl of distilled white vinegar overnight.

Note: If the showerhead is a Tuscan brass or an unlacquered finish, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning, as vinegar can damage the surface.

1. 3. Wrap plumbers’ tape clockwise around the pipe thread to ensure a tight seal.
2. 4. Remove showerhead from vinegar and use a toothbrush to scrub its face. Screw it on by hand, and then adjust with pliers to make snug.
3. 5. If the above doesn’t solve the problem, replace the showerhead with a new one, removing the existing one as described in step 1 and then following manufacturer’s instructions to mount the new showerhead.