Tap into bathroom maintenance
Our showers and bathroom taps work hard!
Also, we live in a hard water area. That means there’s a high chalk content which causes a build up of limescale that can clog up your shower head and leave scaly deposits on taps and surfaces. However, there are some simple steps you can follow to keep your water flowing and taps shiny.
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Our Repairs Team is back with more tips for keeping your home tip top
Cleaning a showerhead
1. Remove the showerhead from the hose - be careful not to lose the rubber washer when you do, as this stops water from leaking at the joint.
2. Put the showerhead in a bucket or plastic container and cover it with white vinegar.
3. Leave it to soak in the vinegar for at least 30 minutes, preferably around an hour. Don’t leave brass showerheads in vinegar for longer than 30 minutes.
4. Take the showerhead out of the vinegar and rinse it with water.
5. Remove any remaining limescale with an old toothbrush, paying particular attention to the nozzle.
6. Rinse again with water and polish with a soft cloth.
7. Reattach the showerhead to the hose and turn on the shower to flush out any remaining limescale.
If you’re after a natural remedy for the rest of the bathroom, white vinegar is also a cheap and effective bathroom cleaner. It should be mixed with equal parts of warm water. Please be aware that vinegar shouldn’t be used to clean chrome taps as it’s too acidic and may damage the chrome.
Changing a shower hose
Shower hose repairs fall under customers’ responsibility. Leaks are usually due to general wear and tear - often splits in the hose, or a broken washer (the protective ring between two fastenings) in the connections at either end.
This is a simple fix. Shower hoses are available at most plumbing merchants or DIY stores.
1. Purchase the replacement shower hose.
2. Unscrew the hose from the shower body.
3. Unscrew the showerhead from the hose.
4. Check the washers found in each end of the new hose are in place (replace if needed) and reconnect.
Cleaning your taps without splashing out
1. Pop on some rubber gloves.
2. Mix together five tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda and a little water together to create a paste.
3. Apply the mixture to the affected area and leave for 30 minutes.
4. Wipe away and rinse.