No one wants to deal with plumbing problems but they happen! Having a clean shower can help you maintain better plumbing in your home. Keeping up with home plumbing maintenance will help you avoid costly repairs or other plumbing issues down the line. Keeping your shower head, shower drain, and entire shower clean will help with maintenance.
Why Keeping Your Entire Shower Clean Matters
Keeping your shower head and drain clean and clear will help the most in avoiding plumbing problems. But keeping your entire shower clean will help as well. Soap scum, hard water, and microbes can build up anywhere in your shower but especially in cracks and corners. Allowing these things to build up can lead to issues. If there is a lot of build-up, rinsing this gunk down the drain can cause problems in the drain. Doing regular, light cleanings will ensure that your shower stays fresh and your drain stays clean and clear.
Cleaning Your Showerhead
If your shower head seems to be spraying all over or not as much water is coming out, it is definitely time to clean it! You can very easily clean your shower head without even having to take it off or really use any tools. If hard water or other build up on your showerhead isn’t too bad it can be easily cleaned with vinegar. The acid in the vinegar will break down any build-ups of materials but won’t harm your shower.
All you need is a plastic bag, a rubber band, and some vinegar. First, put a rubber band around the shower head. Then, partially fill the bag with vinegar and secure it to the shower head with the rubber band. Make sure it is on tight so the shower head can soak in the vinegar. Let it sit for a minimum of one hour or even leave it to soak overnight. Then you can turn on the shower to flush it of any particles.
If your shower head has been neglected for a while, it may need a little deeper cleaning. Disconnect the shower head with a wrench. Rinse off the shower head to get rid of larger pieces of debris. Next, scrub the shower head with a toothbrush dipped in some vinegar. To get built-up deposits out of the holes in the head of the shower, use a toothpick to push out any areas that are really stuck. Then, soak the pieces of the shower in vinegar overnight. This will not only help break up any deposits but will also kill microbes that like that moist environment.
Cleaning Your Shower Drain
Minor issues with your drain can usually be fixed with some simple methods. If there is a small blockage in your shower drain, you can remove it with a small wire hook or a small drain snake if it is made of solid materials. Other minor clogs in the drain can be removed using certain natural methods. Pouring boiling water down the drain won’t harm your plumbing and can help get rid of clogged drains. Vinegar or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda can also be used to break up a blockage in a drain. You’ll also want to check out our post on misconceptions about clogged drains. A more serious clogged drain issue will require the skills of a professional plumber.
Preventative Measures
To keep your plumbing in good working condition, the best thing you can do is maintain a clean shower and prevent unwanted materials from going into the drain. Use a hair catcher to catch hair that can enter the drain. Hair combined with soap can get stuck to the sidewalls of the pipes and cause backed-up pipes. Doing small maintenance jobs and regular, light cleanings will help keep your shower fresh and your plumbing running as it should.
If you have a serious plumbing issue or need help, contact Wyman Services! We would be happy to help with all your plumbing needs. We’re located in Anthem, Arizona and offer our plumbing services in the entire north Phoenix Valley.
