Clean your shower head with these tips.
Is the water coming out of your shower not as clean as it used to be? Is it coming as stained or too hot or cold? The problem could be your showerhead. While it’s ignored most of the time, it’s very important to make sure that your showerhead is cleaned regularly.
Because hard water in your shower has minerals, and mineral deposits can affect your showerhead, water can clog up or squirt everywhere. You won’t be able to enjoy your shower to the fullest because you would either be facing extremely low or high water pressure or other problems.
Moreover, because of hard water issues and constant mineral deposits, you could also face problems such as rust stains on your fixtures, and clogs in your shower.
Follow these tips on cleaning your shower head.
Nozzle rubbing
If your shower head is the flexible rubber variety, it’s possible to dissolve the excessive minerals. All you have to do is tackle each nozzle at a time with your finger, or you could also use a toothbrush. Once that is done and you can tell that the stains are reducing, clean off any excess with a damp cloth. Your showerhead should be as good as new.
Vinegar
Ah! Vinegar. The solution for so many fixture problems. Vinegar is easily available at any store and even on your shelf. You can use it to clean your showerhead too.
The first method is to keep the showerhead on your pipe itself so that you don’t have to take it out, or in case you can’t take it out and it’s permanently attached. First, fill in a plastic bag with vinegar and then wrap it over the showerhead. You should make sure that the plastic bag is fully in place and secure it with tape, a rubber band, or a tie of some sort. Make sure that the bag remains there for some hours. Then, remove it and keep the water on for around 5 to 10 minutes to remove any form of excessive vinegar.
Alternatively, if you can remove the showerhead from the pipe, the other method is dipping the entire head in a bucket full of white vinegar. The head needs to soak for a few hours at least. Then attach this once more and follow the same steps as before. The water should run for some minutes to take out any excess vinegar and to clean out the stains.
Both methods are effective and it entirely depends on the type of fixture you have and which method you’re the most comfortable doing.
Filter screen clean
For cleaning your filter screen, take a look at your manual first as there may be some additional instructions. If you don’t have the physical manual, don’t worry, it might be available online or you could always get in touch with customer care.
This filter screen is the part of your shower head that filters out hard water deposits and in general keeps your water soft, bathroom clean, and head in good condition. It is usually located in between your shower head and the connecting pipe. To replace the filter yourself, it’s important to remove the showerhead from the pipe. If you aren’t able to do this, it’s better to call in a professional to not harm your plumbing.
In some brands, filter screen removal is a gentle process and can be easily removed. You can either do it by hand or if needed, you can use tweezers or nose pliers. Once the filter is out, place it under the water for some time and take out any debris. Use a small toothbrush to gently remove any excess debris as well.
Put the filter back into the pivot ball part of your showerhead and place the head back. If you feel that your filter is beyond any form of repair, don’t be afraid to buy a new one altogether. They will be available at hardware stores.
Is it your showerhead or something else?
Sometimes if you have water pressure problems it might not be because of your showerhead but something else entirely. For example, faulty plumbing has a big role to play. If you have a clog in your pipe or your drain, it could affect your overall water pressure. Or if your heating or cooling systems are down, this too could make it seem as though the showerhead is the problem.
There are solutions for each of these problems but before settling down to clean your shower head, you need to distinguish the type of issue it is. This is why It’s so important to get your pipes checked by a plumber at least twice a year.
Companies such as Octopus have expert handymen who take care of all types of issues ranging from fixing your AC to checking on your plumbing pipes. Once you enter into an annual maintenance contract with them, they would visit your home at least twice a year to check if your pipes are in good working condition. In case you’re having leaks, they can also come in for repairs.
What to look for when choosing your plumber
Choosing your maintenance company is an important task as you’ll be working with them for the long term. Here are some things you should look out for:
-How experienced are they? Before choosing a company always read reviews on the website or ask around. Also, have a quick call with them to understand their expertise in your specific area.
-Are they licensed? Make sure that the professionals in the company are fully licensed and ready to do your job as per standard requirements. While unlicensed plumbers might be less costly, they can do more harm than good to your pipes in the long run.
-Do they have insurance? In case of minor accidents or falls, does the company cover its employees? If not, the liability to pay for any damages to them may fall on you.
If a company ticks all the boxes above, then it’s a good idea to engage them. Remember, this decision shouldn’t be hasty, and should be taken after considering other options too.
We hope you know how to clean your shower head now!
Do try the tips in this expert guide and let us know how it went. From using vinegar to simple cleaning or changing your filter, each way to clean your showerhead is pretty simple. If you have any further inquiries about plumbing, do call Octopus at 800 3993 and our representative will get in touch with you.
