How to maintain your shower, according to a plumber
A little care along the way in for your shower might just keep away the need for a professional to visit down the line (or drain..!).
When you tally how many times your shower gets used each week, having it malfunction could cause a disaster! It makes good sense then to undertake a little maintenance from time to time to ensure it continues to do its job in the background of your daily routine.
1. Routinely remove hair build up
Think again if you’ve convinced yourself that not a lot of hair and gunk goes down your drain. If you consider that staff are employed on the London underground rail system to remove the human hair from the train tracks every night, you can imagine how much of your hair collects down your drain. This is a fact of life – particularly if at least one member of your household has long hair. Remove hair that collects daily in the drain and at least once every three months, do a proper clean out of your shower drain.
2. Don’t use Drano
Chemicals aren’t always the answer. If you do experience a blockage, don’t automatically use a chemical to attempt to clear it. This will cause an issue for a plumber if you do need to call one. Instead, use a wire coat hanger to dig around first in case the blockage can be easily removed.
3. Give the shower head a spa treatment
Rather than use chemicals, a simple vinegar soak will do the trick to dissolve any scale or scum that has built up. Go here for instructions on a simple overnight treatment.
4. Monitor water pressure
If you notice a change in the pressure of your shower over time, it may be due to a build up further down in the pipes, advises Don Evans Plumbers on their blog. This may need a call to your plumber to investigate further.
5. Address small issues early
A leaking tap, cracked tile or missing silicone seal can lead to much bigger problems if not dealt with as soon as possible, says Mott Plumbing. Replace tiles immediately to prevent moisture from penetrating the waterproof membrane and causing moisture build up and the collection of bacteria. Likewise, with leaking taps – localised dripping can see water collecting unnecessarily.
Silicone seals should be regularly cleaned and maintained to ensure they continue to be watertight. If all of the joins are showing age and very damaged, consider a complete reseal.
6. Keep it clean
Lots of little cleans throughout the week make a bigger job to get your shower sparkling less onerous. Use a squeegee every day to wipe down your shower glass and remove water from the tiles at the base – this will allow for a quick dry and deter mould build up.
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