Replacing shower head

[klk]

I am trying to replace a shower head. I can't get the old one off.Any ideas on how to unstick it. The house is 60 years old and I'm afraid the pipe going into the wall will break,... it turns as I try to loosen the shower head.

[majakdragon]

klk, Welcome to the DIY Forums.
Grab the shower arm right behind the showerhead With a pair of channellocks and that will reduce any strain on the piping going through the wall. You may want to wrap the pipe with a rag to prevent scratching the chrome. Good luck and reply back with any further questions.

[klk]

I tried that also. Maybe I'm just not strong enough. Is it possible to cut the thing that is holding the old shower head on without damaging anything in the process? I just want to install a new one!

[majakdragon]

IF the shower piping was installed properly, there is a fitting called a "butterfly ell" that has two screws that are connected to a support in the wall so that the shower piping will not move. If this ell is there, you can unscrew the whole arm and replace both the head and the arm with no problem. OR maybe you can get more leverage with the arm removed to get the head off. Cutting the head off will still make you replace the arm. Good luck.

[Nifty]

if it already turns you have already broken anything the there is to break.A few more turns and the shower head and a 6" piece of pipe should follow.you may have to replace the pipe and clean a few threads ,it should be a cheap fix.