New Construction

• Clogged shower nozzles in newly constructed homes could be from building debris. Wood chips, bits of plastic, copper pipe shavings and blobs of solder left by workmen should be flushed from the pipes before a nozzle is attached. When this is not done, debris builds up in the shower head and reduces the amount of water coming out.
  
  If your new shower runs weakly while water flows freely into the bathtub, suspect a plugged shower nozzle. Remove the shower nozzle with a wrench and clean out the debris. Run water through the pipe into the shower to clear all debris from the pipe before replacing the shower nozzle.
  
  

Older Homes

• Shower heads clog in older homes when hard water from city water mains or from a well is left in the nozzle between showers. Hard water leaves mineral deposits and tiny bits of sediment in the faceplate. Clean it by removing the nozzle with a wrench. Immerse it overnight in white vinegar for large buildups. Remove the faceplate and scrub softened mineral deposits off with an old toothbrush.
  
  If you can't remove the nozzle, fill a plastic bag with vinegar. Tape the bag around the nozzle so it is completely immersed or use rubber bands to keep it in place. Leave it overnight to soften minerals. Remove the bag and scrub faceplate clean. Clean out holes with a straightened paper clip or toothpick. Wipe the faceplate with white vinegar after showering to keep minerals from attaching.
  
  

Self-Cleaning

• Soft water does not leave minerals in nozzles. Soft water systems that remove minerals from hard water are a solution, but an expensive one. A less expensive solution is a self-cleaning shower head. Plungers wipe the faceplate each time the spray-adjusting head is cycled through different positions, removing calcium and lime along with water. In normal hard water conditions, this keeps shower nozzles clean. In areas of very hard water, plungers can't keep the minerals from collecting. Shower nozzles must be soaked in vinegar and scrubbed with a brush.
  
  

Molds and Bacteria

• Minerals and scale in your shower nozzle can host molds and bacteria. Remove the nozzle and the faceplate to clean thoroughly or immerse in a plastic bag. Add a teaspoon of baking soda to the vinegar cleaner. When minerals are softened, scrub them off completely.