Is your shower head clogged? One of the most common things that can happen to a showerhead is for it to become clogged. This can lead to reduced water pressure and sometimes even an inability to get any water coming through at all.
Luckily, there are ways you can unclog your shower head on your own without having to call in a plumber or pay for expensive repairs.
Here are a few ways to unclog your showerhead by yourself:
1. Mix baking soda and vinegar
This is a tried-and-true method for unclogging a showerhead. The chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar help to dissolve any grime or mineral build-up that’s clogging your showerhead.
·You will need:
·Toilet brush (optional)
·Baking soda
·Vinegar
Steps:
Step1:
Fill the bowl of your toilet with enough water to submerge your showerhead. You can either remove it from its holder or just take off the rubber holder piece at the end of where you attach the hose to the wall. Put it in submerged water for about 30 minutes so that it can soak.
Step2:
While you’re waiting, mix together equal parts baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl or plastic cup. You can use a fork or spoon to mix them together.
Step3:
Apply the mixture to the showerhead with the toilet brush. Work it in around any openings and scrub gently (the less you scrub, the better).
Step4:
Rinse off your shower head by running water through it quickly. Remember not to touch your eyes after touching the baking soda mixture!
2. Boil vinegar
Another option is boiling vinegar. This often entails removing the showerhead from its holder and submerging it in boiled white vinegar for anywhere between 30 minutes and 1 hour (the longer you leave it, the easier it should be to remove buildup). To clean your shower head afterward, soak a paper towel in some vinegar then wrap that around your shower head and hold it in place with a rubber band or twist tie. Let it sit for an hour or two and then rinse off.
3. Use a plunger
If you don’t have any vinegar on hand, or if the clogs are too severe, you can use a plunger to help dislodge them. This method often takes a little bit of force and can be messy, but it does work. Make sure the plunger is completely covered in water and then plunge forcefully into the drain opening. You may need to do this multiple times before the clog is dislodged.
4. Use descaling tablets
If your shower head is clogged due to mineral build-up, you can try using descaling tablets. These are designed to break down minerals and help to unclog pipes. Follow the instructions on the package for how to use them, but generally, you will need to dissolve them in hot water and then pour that mixture into the showerhead opening. Let it sit for 30 minutes or so, then flush with cold water.
Conclusion
If you’re experiencing slow or stopped up water flow from your showerhead, this can be caused by a number of different things. From hair clogging the nozzle to mineral build-up on the inside of your pipes, there are many reasons why your shower may not be functioning properly. Before deciding if replacing your entire plumbing system is necessary, it’s best to try clearing out any debris that might have accumulated in order to get back to normal function without breaking the bank. You can get an ideal shower panel from KALMER if you need to replace your entire shower head.