In our last post, we talked about why you might have a clogged shower head. In this post, we’re going to show you how to clean out that clogged shower head! It’s a pretty simple process, and it makes for a good weekend project. You probably already have everything you need in your house, but if you’re missing any supplies, you can easily pick them up at your local hardware store, Aubin Ace Hardware!
Follow these easy steps to clean out your shower head and restore your water pressure.
1. Remove and disassemble the shower head.
Try to unscrew the shower head by hand first. If that doesn’t work, wrap a rag around it and gently turn it with a wrench. Once you’ve removed the shower head, take it apart and lay the pieces out on a towel. If there is a flow restrictor that you can remove easily (you will probably have to use needle-nose pliers to grab it), take that out, too. Don’t force it if it sticks; it’s okay to leave the flow restrictor in if you have to.
2. Clean and soak the shower head parts.
Once you have disassembled the shower head, you will clean the parts. Before you begin this step, protect your hands with disposable rubber gloves. Take a solution of calcium, lime, and rust remover and put enough to cover all the shower head parts in a plastic container and then add an equal amount of warm water. Let the parts soak in the solution for two minutes. Then pour away the solution and rinse the parts in cool water. Take an old toothbrush and scrub the gasket, screen, and flow restrictor. Gently knock the shower head upside down on the towel. Mineral scales or other debris may fall out.
3. Reassemble and test the shower head.
Now you’re ready to put it back together! Replace the flow restrictor, screen, and gasket, and then screw the shower head back into place. Be sure to wrap the pipe with thread sealing plumber’s tape first to prevent leaks. Finally, turn on the shower and test your work!
You should throw away the gloves, plastic container, and toothbrush. The chemicals in the solution are irritants, so you don’t want them to make contact with your skin. You can use the towel again for home projects, but you shouldn’t use it for bathing, even after you wash it.
Missing anything? Head to the hardware store!
Need some gloves or cleaning solution? Head to the hardware store to grab what you need before you start! Our helpful and knowledgeable staff is always ready to help you find what you need to finish any project.
