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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 09:57 PM
Original message
How in the heck does one remove an old shower head...
when it's tightened on teflon tape? I am having a hell of a time doing this.
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951-Riverside Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:01 PM
Response to Original message
1. If you want to do it by hand use a dry latex glove or a wrench.
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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:02 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. I tried a crescent wrench but it wouldn't budge!
Then the shower pipe itself started to turn... how would a latex glove help?
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951-Riverside Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:06 PM
Original message
From personal experience...
It gives you a better grip on smooth surfaces like jar tops, pipes, etc. If you're strong enough grip the pipe with the latex glove then try screwing the head off with the wrench.
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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:11 PM
Response to Original message
7. Okay... I hadn't thought of that ... thanks! n/t
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Whoa_Nelly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:04 PM
Response to Original message
3. Channel Locks?
Edited on Sat May-06-06 10:05 PM by Whoa_Nelly
That always works for me...

Also, try soaking the area in white vinegar for a few hours to loosen up any hard water deposits. Sometimes that's why it's hard to remove an old shower head.

Am sure you know that once you do get that ol' shower head removed, you have to get all teh teflon tape off as well...start clean. Goo-Gone might help with that.
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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:06 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. That's very true...
we have very hard water where we live. Thanks!
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bridgit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:15 PM
Response to Reply #3
9. yup, use the brand name, cold pressed rivet keeps the teeth from...
moving sideways for steady even pressure :thumbsup:
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AccessGranted Donating Member (687 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:06 PM
Response to Original message
5. Spray some WD-40 On It
That seems to work for everything!
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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:08 PM
Response to Reply #5
6. Oooh hadn't thought of that either...
Thanks!
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Oeditpus Rex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:12 PM
Response to Original message
8. Don't force it!
Edited on Sat May-06-06 10:14 PM by Oeditpus Rex
Old copper fixture tubing will break without much effort. I'd use white vinegar, like Nelly said, or Dip-It or CRL to loosen up the mineral deposits, then coat with WD-40 or penetrating oil. Then use two channel-lock or slip-joint pliers (or vise grips on the pipe) — one to turn the head, one to hold the pipe.

Edit: When you replace it, instead of teflon tape use Bestolite. It's an anti-seize compound that lasts for years while also acting as a sealant. I swear by the stuff.
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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:35 PM
Response to Reply #8
12. Luckily this bathroom was installed in the early 90's...
so I'm not worried about copper tubing. I think chemicals are the way to go, however, because the head itself is heavily calcified.

Thanks!
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Telly Savalas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:23 PM
Response to Original message
10. Use some C4.
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BikeWriter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:27 PM
Response to Reply #10
11. C4 is always good for loosening things. ;-)
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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:37 PM
Response to Reply #10
13. Yeah, I suppose I really don't need the bathroom.
In fact, the whole house is overrated, I think. ;)
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jukes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-07-06 09:42 AM
Response to Reply #10
28. thermite
easy to make, easy to use.

will melt that tape and any deposits! (& the shower head, pipe, and stall, if it's fiberglass)
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u4ic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:45 PM
Response to Original message
14. Cluster bombs
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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:47 PM
Response to Reply #14
15. Hmmm... would that be more or less effective than the C4?
:shrug:
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u4ic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 11:01 PM
Response to Reply #15
18. Depends on how much
you like your landlord...
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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 11:03 PM
Response to Reply #18
19. Well it's my house...
so I like my landlord (Mr. Writer) just fine...

although... I wouldn't mind a new house... hmmm...
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u4ic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-07-06 12:08 AM
Response to Reply #19
21. "The damn Smart Bombs miss 60% of their targets!"
Edited on Sun May-07-06 12:09 AM by u4ic
Blame *!! Now how one managed to get at your house, rather than another in Iraq...may take a bit of work. However, you're a Writer. You'll figure it out.;-)
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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-07-06 01:00 AM
Response to Reply #21
23. Damn, you're right.
I AM a writer. I totally forgot about my powers of omniscience. Thanks! :thumbsup:
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SlavesandBulldozers Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-07-06 11:16 AM
Response to Reply #14
29. nuke it from orbit.
it's the only way to be sure
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Arkham House Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:49 PM
Response to Original message
16. There's nothing wrong with the shower head--
--it's all a plot by the Liberal Media...and anyway, it's all Bill Clinton's fault...why do you hate America?
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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 10:52 PM
Response to Reply #16
17. Bill Clinton's involved?
No WONDER I can't UNSCREW it. Forget this liberal conspiracy crap - I refuse to submit to the new showerhead agenda. Massaging showerheads are for treehugging liberals! :mad:
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TreasonousBastard Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-06-06 11:45 PM
Response to Original message
20. Don't worry about the pipe coming off...
if the head won't come off using two humongous pliers. I've got one like that, too, and busted my butt trying to get it off. I doubt it's the tape, since plenty of other taped fittings come off easily enough. I suspect it's more a professional wrestler moonlighting as a plumber cranking that sucker down. Or a really hard putty.

That pipe is called a nipple and if it easily unscrews, just pop the whole mess out and get a new one for two bucks. The only real problem is making sure it's not leaking inside the wall, (that's what the teflon tape's for) but since you already loosened it a little...
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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-07-06 01:02 AM
Response to Reply #20
24. Ya know, all this discussion of pipes and nipples makes me want
to get Mr. Writer to take over this entire operation anyway. He's a bit more talented with such things...
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WCGreen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-07-06 12:27 AM
Response to Original message
22. Move......
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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-07-06 01:03 AM
Response to Reply #22
25. I have torn my legs and arms off trying to remove this shower head...
I'm afraid moving is no longer an option. :(
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DainBramaged Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-07-06 01:39 AM
Response to Reply #25
26. I don't suppose it's an opposite lock shower head?
clockwise is loose, counterclockwise is tight?
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gizmo1979 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-07-06 08:14 AM
Response to Original message
27. If you put a Vice grips on the pipe
behind the shower head and turn the whole thing will come off and then you can try to get the shower head off in a vise.If you can't get it go and buy a new pipe at the hardware store it'll cost you a buck.
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