can't get showerhead off

[tofuchampion]

Bought a low-flow showerhead.  Tried to install it.  Can't get the old one off.  I swear to dog it's superglued or something.  Help?

[MikeBear]

Unscrew the whole shower arm pipe from the wall, which includes the old showerhead. Then install a new shower arm pipe along with the new showerhead.

[whydavid]

Unscrew the whole shower arm pipe from the wall, which includes the old showerhead. Then install a new shower arm pipe along with the new showerhead.

Ditto, though I am surprised he would not have already loosened the shower arm while trying to loosen the shower head if it is that stuck?

[tofuchampion]

Unscrew the whole shower arm pipe from the wall, which includes the old showerhead. Then install a new shower arm pipe along with the new showerhead.

Ditto, though I am surprised he would not have already loosened the shower arm while trying to loosen the shower head if it is that stuck?

She.  And I might have, idk.

This is a rental house and I am the least handy person ever, so I'm kind of afraid of permanently screwing something up.  Will have to youtube it and see how I feel about the prospect.

[Spork]

If it's seriously in there... you may need a pipe wrench.  A warning: a pipe wrench *will* booger up the shiny chrome pipe.  Do this only as a last resort and when you have a new one in hand.

Sometimes you can get away with using pliers and wrapping the pipe with an old rag.

...and you probably know this, but I'll say it anyway...  When you put the new one back on, wrap the threads with 2-3 layers of teflon tape.  This will keep it from seizing up for the next time.

[whydavid]

Unscrew the whole shower arm pipe from the wall, which includes the old showerhead. Then install a new shower arm pipe along with the new showerhead.

Ditto, though I am surprised he would not have already loosened the shower arm while trying to loosen the shower head if it is that stuck?

She.  And I might have, idk.

This is a rental house and I am the least handy person ever, so I'm kind of afraid of permanently screwing something up.  Will have to youtube it and see how I feel about the prospect.

D'oh!  My apologies.  There I go assuming....

Good luck!  The key is just not to go crazy trying to force it.  What kind of wrench have you been using? 

[Kaspian]

Had the same problem--here's what I did.  Sprayed a ton of WD40 (well, the cheap copy to tell the truth) all over the screw area--saturated it.  Let it sit for a few hours.  Then cranked the shower head off with a pair of curved jaw locking pliers.  You should know somebody with a set of lock pliers?

[tofuchampion]

I tried the pliers + rag thing first, and all that happened is I tore the rag and scratched up the finish on the showerhead.  Figured it was already scratched, tried pliers without the rag.  Still not budging, and now it's more scratched up.

Haven't tried a wrench, only because I can't find mine.  Just pliers.

I have teflon tape, so I'm good to go to install the new one.  Just gotta get the $*(@% old one off first...  There actually is tape under the old one; maybe not enough?  Idk.

I'll see if I have any WD-40.

[hdatontodo]

Bought a low-flow showerhead.  Tried to install it.  Can't get the old one off.  I swear to dog it's superglued or something.  Help?

I hope you're unscrewing it to the left (counter clockwise) as you look at the face of the shower head.

[tofuchampion]

Bought a low-flow showerhead.  Tried to install it.  Can't get the old one off.  I swear to dog it's superglued or something.  Help?

I hope you're unscrewing it to the left (counter clockwise) as you look at the face of the shower head.

Haha, yes. I do know that much.

[Rage]

There is a tool called a "strap wrench" - basically a grippy strap that can be tightened and is attached to a long handle for maximum leverage - and also a product called "liquid wrench", which is a sort of penetrating lubricant.  Both are fairly inexpensive.

This is the thing about DIY, sometimes, you wind up buying a bunch of tools, and then you wonder if it's really frugal because now you've spent money on tools that you doubt you'll ever need again. 

[CDP45]

Stop. Go watch a youtube video of a plumber giving a full explanation.

You need to use two pliers, one preferably channel locks to steady the pipe so you don't torque it and break it, the other one to twist, another pair of channel locks would be fine.

MMM had a post on using the right tools as well, it's ok to buy 2 channel lock pliers, lowes has a 3 set for like $15 and I guarantee you will use them many times in the future.

[DCJrMustachian]

I had the same problem.  Solution is a more torque... aka a bigger wrench. 

Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2365-Pipe-Wrench-4-Piece/dp/B000NPR262

[tofuchampion]

Problem solved - husband got it off. He did it right after taking a hot shower, which probably helped loosen it.

Thanks for all the advice, anyway!

[DangleStash]

Problem solved - husband got it off. He did it right after taking a hot shower, which probably helped loosen it.

Thanks for all the advice, anyway!

Was just about to chime in - I had this exact same problem - hit the metal area around the threads with a creme brulee torch for a few seconds (nothing too long, could have used a lighter).  Metal expands just enough to get it off.

Hot water over stuck jar lids also works wonders, then very lightly tapping them on the edge of the counter if they're still stuck on (thanks great grandma!)