Who doesn’t look forward to a relaxing shower at the end of a busy workday? Just thinking about that steady stream of water coming from your showerhead can ease your stress away, but if there’s something wrong with the showerhead, that relaxing experience can turn into a frustrating one. 

In this post, your trusted Adelaide plumber will share how you can keep your showerhead running smoothly for years on end:

What Happens When Your Showerhead Gets Blocked?

To say that it’s inconvenient is an understatement. When your showerhead gets blocked, you’ll experience low water pressure from the shower, which means your shower can last twice as long as usual. Aside from that, instead of a straight stream, water could squirt in random directions, which is not exactly what you want when you’re showering. 

However, problems with the showerhead are unavoidable because it is used daily, often multiple times. The fact that it’s an appliance that is used daily is reason enough to ensure that it’s in excellent working condition at all times. 

Causes of Showerhead Blockages

Hard Water

Your home’s supply of hard water is what’s probably causing a blockage in your showerhead. Hard water has high levels of calcium and magnesium that could accumulate over time and cause blockages.

How do you know your house has a hard water supply? Check your laundry because when washed in hard water, the laundry gets stiff. You might see mineral deposits on your dishwasher, too. 

Corrosion

A lower-quality showerhead may be cheaper upfront, but it deteriorates way faster than a premium one. You’ll soon notice signs of corrosion that could even progress and affect your pipes, too. 

How to Keep Your Showerhead Running Smoothly

One of the best ways to keep your showerhead in its best condition is to clean it regularly. Here’s how to do it properly:

Use Toothpicks

To unclog the holes in the showerhead, use either a toothpick or a stiff toothbrush. You can poke each hole of the showerhead until everything is clear. This can be a tedious task, though. It also requires the removal of the showerhead from its base.

Soak the Showerhead in Vinegar

As mentioned above, one of the biggest problems with showerheads is the buildup of minerals, especially when you have hard water. When calcium salts build up, they can be hard to remove. One way to loosen the buildup of salt is by soaking the showerhead in white vinegar. You can leave it overnight, and you’ll find that it’s easier to dislodge the deposits.

Don’t Forget to Clean the Filter

These days, most showerheads have a filter that acts as a barrier to keep any solid particle from contaminating the water you use in your shower. After years or even just months of use, you can expect the shower to have a large amount of dirt caught in the filter. So when you clean the showerhead, make sure that you clean the filter, too. 

Conclusion

Showerheads are essential in every home, so you must make sure that yours are working correctly. You can do this by regularly cleaning them every few months or so using the tips shared with you here. If, after these steps, you still find that your showerhead is blocked or it’s not delivering the same performance as it used to, then it may be time to get a replacement. Should you decide to replace or repair your shower, you should not attempt to do it on your own. Instead, call one of the reputable plumbing companies in your area. 

Design Plumbing is one of the best plumbing contractors in Adelaide. We offer expert plumbing services, so whether they’re blocked showerheads or drains, cracked pipes, or others, our team can handle it for you. Contact us today to learn more about our services!