Removing top of waterfall shower head to descale

[C0mbat]

Hi all,

I need to clean/descale my waterfall shower head as the pressure has fallen dramatically in the past year. I've tried tiny shower head brushes and limescale gel but it didn't work so I think I need to either remove the top and pour something in or remove the whole head and soak it in something. The only thing is that I can't seem to work out how to remove the top.

See the attached photos. The top has 10 screws around the perimeter of the top that I was easily able to remove. It then has two grub screws near the wall that I also removed. However, there are a further 6 screens around the central spine that I can't remove. I can turn them clockwise and anti-clockwise and they move but neither come out or screw further in. I assumed that I therefore didn't need to remove them but I can't seem to remove the top of the shower head so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Help!!!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

These, look like alan headed countersunk bolt heads

 

[C0mbat]

These, look like alan headed countersunk bolt heads

View attachment 384047

Yes. They are the same type and size as the ones on the perimeter that I was easily able to remove. These ones turn but don't come out. I've tried all six and none of them are coming out where as the ten on the perimeter all came out.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

These ones turn but don't come out. I've tried all six and none of them are coming out where as the ten on the perimeter all came out.

That reads as if the sockets they screw into, are furrels, and the furrels are simply turning rather than unscrewing.

 

[C0mbat]

That reads as if the sockets they screw into, are furrels, and the furrels are simply turning rather than unscrewing.

OK thanks. But what does that mean? How do I get the top of the shower off? Are you saying I don't need to remove those screws and I just need to pull on the spine harder to try and lift it off?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

OK thanks. But what does that mean?

It means, the nuts are supposed to be captive, in the pressed steel, but when it was assembled, the captive nuts came loose, preventing you from unscrewing them - is my best guess.

How do I get the top of the shower off?

I'm not sure how you can proceed, unless you can find a way to get those screws out. Can you get a blade, under the head of the screw, and apply leverage, whilst turning the screw? It might be enough to jam the nuts enough, but it will be a slow process. Beyond that, I have absolutely no, none destructive, suggestions.

 

[C0mbat]

It means, the nuts are supposed to be captive, in the pressed steel, but when it was assembled, the captive nuts came loose, preventing you from unscrewing them - is my best guess.



I'm not sure how you can proceed, unless you can find a way to get those screws out. Can you get a blade, under the head of the screw, and apply leverage, whilst turning the screw? It might be enough to jam the nuts enough, but it will be a slow process. Beyond that, I have absolutely no, none destructive, suggestions.

OK thanks. I'll try and get a Stanley knife blade under the screw head tomorrow. Nightmare because I need to get it off otherwise the shower will slow to a drip.

 

[Mottie]

Soak plenty of tissue/newspaper/rag in white vinegar (or descaler), tape it under the head to keep it in contact with the jets, cover with a plastic bag, fill bag with more vinegar/descaler and leave overnight.