Tips For Keeping Your Shower In Optimal Condition

A shower can be relaxing or invigorating when the temperature and pressure are just right. Other times, your shower can be a source of annoyance, such as when it's slow to drain or when the pressure from the head is weak. Here are some tips for keeping your shower working optimally and when to call a plumbing contractor for help.

Keep Hair Out Of The Drain

It's good to brush your hair before you shower so the brush captures loose hair and keeps them out of the drain. However, your hair will probably go down the drain every time you shower whether you brush your hair first or not.

Hair is a leading cause of shower drain clogs, but you can keep hair out with a hair catcher. These come in different shapes and styles. You can place one made of plastic over the top of the drain to let water through while blocking hair.

If you want a hair catcher that's out of sight, then buy one that has a tiny basket that fits down in the drain. You'll have to clean the basket out occasionally, but that's much better than trying to fish a clog of matted hair and soap scum from the drain.

Unclog The Shower Head

A few things can cause a weak shower spray, and one of them is mineral deposits on the showerhead that block the water holes. You can dissolve the minerals by soaking the head in vinegar. If you can't get the head off, you can pour vinegar in a plastic bag and wrap the bag around the head so the head can soak while it's still attached to the plumbing pipe.

Soften Your Hard Water

If your home has hard water, you probably have to scrub scale buildup off the shower tiles and door. You can cut down on the amount of work it takes to keep your shower clean by having a water softener installed.

Plus, you may enjoy showering with soft water since it makes your skin and hair feel silky. Soap typically lathers better in soft water, and soft water doesn't leave ugly scale buildup behind. A water softener also protects your plumbing pipes from hard water buildup and damage.

Call A Plumber When Problems First Arise

There's nothing worse than a shower that's backed up or that has only cold water when you need to get cleaned up. When you notice problems developing, call a plumber before the situation gets out of control.

Signs your shower plumbing needs help includes water that's slow to drain, water that backs out of the drain when you flush a toilet or use the washing machine, shower pressure that's too low or too high even after you've cleaned the head, banging noises in the pipe, and smelly or discolored water.

These could be signs of trouble with plumbing pipes, the pressure valve, or the hot water heater, and a plumbing contractor may need to make repairs before you have a plumbing emergency.

To learn more, contact a plumbing contractor.

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