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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
Hi
What's the best way to clean rust & hard water grime off a pipe thread in the shower? I need to replace the shower head, but the replacement bits won't fit, despite the thread being the same size. Any ideas? I'm onto my second application of CLR, don't know what to try after that. -- Wanda aka Willow The missing and definitely not to be taken seriously under any circumstances garden gnome http://www.2000cn.com.au/~willow ~~faeries are able to fly because they take themselves lightly~ |
#2
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
"Willow" wrote in message
... Hi What's the best way to clean rust & hard water grime off a pipe thread in the shower? I need to replace the shower head, but the replacement bits won't fit, despite the thread being the same size. Any ideas? I'm onto my second application of CLR, don't know what to try after that. SNIP It definitely is a buildup causing the trouble? Usually as the thread would be covered by the old bits it would protect it, and taking off the old bits would at the same time remove any buildup. Can you see the buildup? Even try putting the old bits back on if you have them, only lightly by hand to test it. While the thread may be the same size, the thread may not be the same type. Sometimes they have coarse or fine thread, meaning the gaps in the thread are further apart or closer together. If all is good, and it is the buildup, you could try vinegar. I have heard that can help. Even with the CLR, hook up something so it is sitting in the CLR for a while. All the best with it. |
#3
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
Xref: 127.0.0.1 aus.gardens:20150
I am a chemical salesman. I used to work for a company that had an acid based toilet bowl cleaner. The acid was safe enough that you could put you hand into it (for a short time) and it wouldn't hurt you, but when you put it in the toilet bowl or on a tub it would eat the lime and soap scum right off. You doid have to be sure you washed it all off when you were done, because within an hour or so, it would damage the chrome on the tub hardware. I don't know what kind of acid it was, but if you can find one that will eat lime and yet not be deadly to your skin, you've got it. Good luck. Dwayne Ford312CrownVictoria "Andrew G" wrote in message ... "Willow" wrote in message ... Hi What's the best way to clean rust & hard water grime off a pipe thread in the shower? I need to replace the shower head, but the replacement bits won't fit, despite the thread being the same size. Any ideas? I'm onto my second application of CLR, don't know what to try after that. SNIP It definitely is a buildup causing the trouble? Usually as the thread would be covered by the old bits it would protect it, and taking off the old bits would at the same time remove any buildup. Can you see the buildup? Even try putting the old bits back on if you have them, only lightly by hand to test it. While the thread may be the same size, the thread may not be the same type. Sometimes they have coarse or fine thread, meaning the gaps in the thread are further apart or closer together. If all is good, and it is the buildup, you could try vinegar. I have heard that can help. Even with the CLR, hook up something so it is sitting in the CLR for a while. All the best with it. |
#4
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
You need to change the shower arm!
It is a simple procedure and costs less than one container of CLR. Master Plvmber "Willow" wrote in message ... Hi What's the best way to clean rust & hard water grime off a pipe thread in the shower? I need to replace the shower head, but the replacement bits won't fit, despite the thread being the same size. Any ideas? I'm onto my second application of CLR, don't know what to try after that. -- Wanda aka Willow The missing and definitely not to be taken seriously under any circumstances garden gnome http://www.2000cn.com.au/~willow ~~faeries are able to fly because they take themselves lightly~ |
#5
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
"Willow" wrote in message ... Hi What's the best way to clean rust & hard water grime off a pipe thread in the shower? I need to replace the shower head, but the replacement bits won't fit, despite the thread being the same size. Any ideas? I'm onto my second application of CLR, don't know what to try after that. -- Wanda aka Willow I doubt that a build up of grime is the cause of the problem. If an old fitting came off then the new fitting of the correct type should go back on with little or no effort. I think that the fitting you have is not the correct thread. As somebody else said you may need to replace the whole arm (if it has an arm) as joints internal to a proprietary assembly may not be compatible with standard fittings. If you cannot work it out call a plumber as forcing the wrong fitting on will just damage your existing plumbing and make the job more expensive to finish. David |
#6
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
"Master Plvmber" wrote You need to change the shower arm! It is a simple procedure and costs less than one container of CLR. Master Plvmber "Willow" wrote in message ... Hi What's the best way to clean rust & hard water grime off a pipe thread in the shower? I need to replace the shower head, but the replacement bits won't fit, despite the thread being the same size. Any ideas? I'm onto my second application of CLR, don't know what to try after that. -- Wanda aka Willow The missing and definitely not to be taken seriously under any circumstances garden gnome http://www.2000cn.com.au/~willow ~~faeries are able to fly because they take themselves lightly~ That’s ridiculous, replacing a shower arm because of scale buildup. What if she then has a leak inside the wall. She should take a plastic sandwich bag and put enough CLR in it to immerse the area on the shower arm in the CLR as she attaches the bag to the shower arm and then leave it immersed for a few hours if need be. Or, holding the shower arm from turning, run a female fitting on the arm and clean the threads that way before putting the new head on using Teflon tape naturally. It might be plumbers’ putty too, damned stuff anyway. Gary Quality Water Associates |
#7
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
I agree with Gary. I have never seen a shower arm that is not 1/2" NPT.
However; I would use vinigar, I think it works better than CLR. Rob. "David Hare-Scott" wrote in message u... "Willow" wrote in message ... Hi What's the best way to clean rust & hard water grime off a pipe thread in the shower? I need to replace the shower head, but the replacement bits won't fit, despite the thread being the same size. Any ideas? I'm onto my second application of CLR, don't know what to try after that. -- Wanda aka Willow I doubt that a build up of grime is the cause of the problem. If an old fitting came off then the new fitting of the correct type should go back on with little or no effort. I think that the fitting you have is not the correct thread. As somebody else said you may need to replace the whole arm (if it has an arm) as joints internal to a proprietary assembly may not be compatible with standard fittings. If you cannot work it out call a plumber as forcing the wrong fitting on will just damage your existing plumbing and make the job more expensive to finish. David |
#8
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
"Gary Slusser" The original message said that she couldn't get the new shower head on the shower arm. Maybe the problem is the new shower head, but if it ain't, I vote to change the arm too. |
#9
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
But in Australia,(as in "aus.gardens") almost every plumbing fitting used
for showers for the last couple of hundred years has been 1/2" BSP. If you have the other... Give it a bit of a clean with a wire brush and a bit of elbow grease if there is a lot of shit, have a look at the thread and see if it's damaged, see if the end of the threaded pipe has been cut square or you are trying to cross thread it. Hope this helps, Peter |
#10
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
Thanks for that everyone. I managed to get the bit on. The second round of
CLR & fitting the part onto the pipe must have done it. I've stuck with the old plate on the wall as I couldn't fit the new part to the new plate, although I've noticed a slight drizzle of water coming out at the wall so I may well give it another go. Or maybe I'll just ask mum's partner to take a look at it on the weekend. -- Wanda aka Willow The missing and definitely not to be taken seriously under any circumstances garden gnome http://www.2000cn.com.au/~willow ~~faeries are able to fly because they take themselves lightly~ Bushy wrote in message ... But in Australia,(as in "aus.gardens") almost every plumbing fitting used for showers for the last couple of hundred years has been 1/2" BSP. If you have the other... Give it a bit of a clean with a wire brush and a bit of elbow grease if there is a lot of shit, have a look at the thread and see if it's damaged, see if the end of the threaded pipe has been cut square or you are trying to cross thread it. Hope this helps, Peter |
#11
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
"Mike Grooms" wrote "Gary Slusser" The original message said that she couldn't get the new shower head on the shower arm. Maybe the problem is the new shower head, but if it ain't, I vote to change the arm too. She also said there was something on the threads that she thought was preventing her from getting the shower head on the arm. When she gets the stuff off and then can’t get it on (which I think she might mean she can’t tighten the connection) I’ll go along. |
#12
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
"Willow" wrote Thanks for that everyone. I managed to get the bit on. The second round of CLR & fitting the part onto the pipe must have done it. I've stuck with the old plate on the wall as I couldn't fit the new part to the new plate, although I've noticed a slight drizzle of water coming out at the wall so I may well give it another go. Or maybe I'll just ask mum's partner to take a look at it on the weekend. CLR huh. Take that doubters. |
#13
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
"Willow" wrote in message ... Thanks for that everyone. I managed to get the bit on. The second round of CLR & fitting the part onto the pipe must have done it. I've stuck with the old plate on the wall as I couldn't fit the new part to the new plate, although I've noticed a slight drizzle of water coming out at the wall so I may well give it another go. Or maybe I'll just ask mum's partner to take a look at it on the weekend. -- Wanda aka Willow You might need to use a bit of plumbers tape. Imagine that plasticky sort of dental floss but made really thin (almost transparent) and wide (1cm)... not much to the stuff but when you wind it round a thread before putting a fitting on, it seals somewhat like a washer or o-ring. Not hugelly expensive, but if you only need a bit it might be best to borrow someone else's. If you need to buy some go to any hardware store. |
#14
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
Willow wrote: Thanks for that everyone. I managed to get the bit on. The second round of CLR & fitting the part onto the pipe must have done it. I've stuck with the old plate on the wall as I couldn't fit the new part to the new plate, although I've noticed a slight drizzle of water coming out at the wall "Coming out at the wall"??? I probably don't understand the standard installation of shower arms down under, but unless there's some sort of boss on the wall into which the shower arm is threaded, and it's that joint which is leaking, I'd start expecting there's water coming down the inside of the wall too. What am I missing here Aussy guys? And why does a little voice inside me keep urging me to open my big mouth and dryly remark that if God had wanted women to understand anything mechanical he would have given them brains instead of bosoms? (Ducking...) Jeff Jeff Wisnia Brass Rat '57 ee W1BSV "I before E except after C"....(The height of insufficient weird ancient science...) snipped |
#15
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OT - Replacing a Shower Head
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