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    plumbing troubleshooting

    Replace shower head

    Common symptoms: replace shower head; install new shower head; shower head swap; shower head leaking at arm

    Stop and call a pro if:

    • plastic shower arms can snap inside the wall
    • over-torquing the arm can crack the drop-ear fitting in the wall

    Step-by-step diagnostic flow

    1. Step 1

      Look at the shower arm coming out of the wall. Is it metal or plastic?

      A plastic shower arm can snap if you torque it hard, leaving threads broken off inside the wall fitting. Be gentle.

    2. Step 2

      Grip the old shower head with a rag and try to unscrew it counter-clockwise by hand. What happens?

      If the shower arm rotates with the head — STOP. That means the arm is unscrewing from the drop-ear fitting in the wall, which can crack the fitting.

    3. Step 3

      Do you have new PTFE (Teflon) tape, the new shower head, and a soft cloth (or strap wrench) to grip without scratching?

    Possible outcomes

    You're ready — proceed with the swap

    high confidence

    Old head turns freely, you have the supplies, and the shower arm is intact.

    Safe next steps
    • Unscrew the old head counter-clockwise (looking up at it) with the rag-wrapped grip
    • Clean the arm threads with the rag; pick out any old tape or pipe dope residue
    • Wrap 3–4 turns of PTFE tape clockwise (so it stays put when you screw the head on)
    • Hand-tighten the new head, then snug it about a quarter turn with the rag — do not crank
    • Turn the shower on and watch the joint at the arm for 30 seconds; if it drips, give it another quarter turn

    Pause — work the stuck head loose carefully

    medium confidence

    Brute force on a stuck head is what breaks shower arms and cracks drop-ear fittings.

    Safe next steps
    • Spray penetrating oil (e.g., PB Blaster) at the joint, let it sit 15 minutes
    • Use a strap wrench on the head and a second wrench (with a rag) holding the shower arm steady — counter-torque so the arm can't rotate
    • If after one more careful try it still won't budge, call a pro before something snaps inside the wall

    Stop — shower arm is rotating in the wall

    high confidence

    If the arm is unscrewing from the drop-ear elbow behind the tile, continuing will likely crack the fitting and turn this into a wall-opening repair.

    Safe next steps
    • Stop twisting immediately
    • Photograph the arm so a plumber can see where it sits
    • Call a plumber — they'll back the arm out properly and re-seal it, or open the wall if the fitting is already damaged
    What to document for a pro
    • Photo of shower arm and escutcheon
    • Whether you saw water inside the wall when twisting
    Shower arm rotates inside the wall when twisted. Risk of cracking the drop-ear fitting behind tile

    Pause — grab PTFE tape first

    high confidence

    Skipping tape on a metal-to-metal threaded joint pretty much guarantees a drip at the arm.

    Safe next steps
    • Buy PTFE (plumber's / Teflon) tape — any hardware store, under $2
    • Grab a clean rag or a small strap wrench
    Diagnostic guidance only. If unsure, stop and call a licensed professional — gas, electrical, and refrigerant work is hazardous to untrained users.

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