My shower head broke so we bought a new one to replace it. The problem is that the pipe in the wall that connects to the shower head looks like it is stripped. It seems like there are fragments of the old shower head stuck in the groves (sorry I really don't know the technical terms) I went to home depot and the plumbing associate told me to take a flat head screw driver and try getting it out like that. It didn't work and I don't want to put too much pressure on it for fear of breaking the pipe. Help what can I do?

Unless the old shower head really fell apart when you took it off I'm guessing it's teflon tape and corrosion in the threads. I would try using a metal 'scrubby' from your kitchen or some steel wool to clean it off. Don't hang on the pipe or push hard on it sideways but rotate the pad on the pipe (like you were screwing it on)

Hey Susan... the guy at home depot was leading you down the right path...

Another good tool for this job is a PUNCH/AWL (see pic.2) type tool.. or a small NAIL SETTING (see pic.1) tool... both tools have good hardened metal tip that should allow you to get in under the stuck threads and effectively pull out remaining threads.

You are right to be hesitant... if you damage threads at fitting so cannot install new shower arm, will need to open wall (from behind in closet if closet behind tub/shower).

But if take time and just get first thread pulled up you may be able to pull on thread using a needlenose pliers and can actually pull and UNRAVEL the remaining threads out of fitting.

Try the awl or nail set. If that doesn't work then time to call in reinforements...;)

PS.. there are other tools called EASY OUTS (see pic.3) or PIPE EXTRACTORS that some may suggest will work here, but note that in my time as a plumber they have never helped me fix this type issue. There simply aren't enough threads for the tools to bite into. I recommend you try these only as a last resort.

Please let us know how you make out... Mark

.

Hi Susan Mark is great and very Knowledgeable he is leading you to right direction, but as a suggestion please use some W40 before you use any tool.

Let's see what the threads broke off into,(see image). This fitting inside the wall is called a "drop eared ell". This is where the broken threads from the shower arm are. When I'm bfaced with this I do the same thing Mark does. I take a small sharp chisel and go inaqnd try to get the chisel under the threads. When I do I lever the threads up and simply peel them up and out. Since there's little pressure on the line I wouldn't worry too much about nicking the threads. A extra turn or two of Teflon Tape should take care of that. Good luck, Tom