Unveiling The Common Bathroom Shower Causes and methods to Fix Them

A refreshing shower can set the person to lead a productive day and prepares you to face whatever the world has to throw at you. So, a well-functioning shower is very essential for starting the day or winding down at night. But, showers can encounter various problems over a certain period of time. 

However, we can understand how frustrating and disappointing it can be, when the shower does not work the way we want it to or falls short of our expectations.

At Urban Gaffa, we understand how a perfect shower experience is important to you. You can even search for professionals and their services on the google search engine by typing keyword "shower installers near me". Therefore, in this blog, we will explore the most common shower problems and offer some solutions related to that to make your shower experience more refreshing and rejuvenating.

1. Low Water Pressure: 

Causes: Low water pressure is a frequent complaint among several homeowners residing in the UK. It can occur due various reasons such as building up minerals in the shower head, clogged pipes, faulty pressure regulator, old or damaged plumbing system, etc.

Fixes: You can begin with using some DIY techniques:

Cleaning Shower Head: To remove mineral deposits soak the showerhead in vinegar for hours then scrub it with a brush, for a clean.

Checking for Clogged Pipes: If you notice any blockages, in the pipes make sure to clear them if possible.

Replacing Shower Head: If the thorough cleaning method doesn't do the trick consider replacing the shower head with a more efficient model.

Inspecting Pressure Regulator: Replace the pressure regulator if it is causing water pressure.

2. Dripping Shower Head: If your shower head drips when not in use, then it could be due to the washers or o-rings being worn out or there might be an issue with the flow control valve.

Fixes: 

Replacing Washers: Turn off the water supply and disassemble the shower head to replace any washers or O-rings.

Repairing or Replacing the Valve: If you discover a faulty valve, then you will need to either replace it entirely or, repair or replace the cartridge to stop the shower from dripping.

3. Shower Faucet Leaking: A leaky shower faucet is usually caused by worn out seals or due to a damaged faucet.

Fixes:

Replacing Seals: To swap out any seals or gaskets, turn off the water supply and dismantle the faucet.

Installing a New Faucet: If your faucet has got damaged and can’t be fixed, then consider replacing it with a new one, for a proper seal.

4. Inconsistent Shower Temperature: If you notice any variation in the water temperature then it might be due to a faulty valve, or there may be usage of hot water in other household appliances at the same time.

Fixes:

Replacement of the Faulty Valve: To make sure that you are getting a mixture of hot and cold water constantly, then installation of a new valve is mandatory.

Checking for Water Heater: First of all, check the water heater to find any cause and if you locate any problem, then adjust the thermostat according to it, if required.

Installing a Pressure-Balancing Valve: If you install  a pressure-balancing valve, then it will not only help in maintaining the consistency of water pressure, but also keep the temperature steady.

5. Clogged Shower Drain: Shower drains get blocked due to the , and soap scum in the drain, accumulation of debris, and hair.

Fixes: 

Plunger Usage: You can try plunging the drain to remove the blockage.

Using a Drain Cleaner Application: You can use any commercial drain cleaner for clearing the drain blockages.

Manual Removal of Debris Build-up: If accessible, If you can, then remove the drain cover to pull out any debris buildup that is visible to you using a drain snake or a hook.

6. Noisy Shower: Though, a noisy shower is not a terrible issue but it can occur due to water hammer, loose pipes, and faulty shower head. Therefore, they need to be properly secured to the wall, and the water providing pipes need to be bonded using brackets. 

Fixes:

Installing Water Hammer Arrestors: These devices can reduce noise by absorbing surged pressure. 

Securing Loose Pipes: Check for loose pipes if there is any, and secure them using pipe clamps.

Replacing the faulty Shower head: An old or faulty shower head might need replacing so as to eliminate the occurrence of noise.

7. Building up of Mould and Mildew: Existence of mouldiness can be due to the presence of excess moisture, and poor ventilation for sure.

Fixes: 

Routine Cleaning: Mixing water with bleach or using a commercial mold remover can clean the affected areas.

Require a Good Ventilation: Installing an exhaust fan or  or making sure of having a proper cross ventilation can help in minimising the moisture build-up.

Using Mold-Resistant Materials: Using mould-resistant paint can restrict the mildew growth in the shower area.

8. Existence of Hard Water: Hard water consists of high levels of minerals such as calcium, and magnesium that can clog shower heads, thus reducing the flow of water. However, over the passage of time, this buildup will affect its performance while damaging the shower's hardware.

Fixes:

Regular cleaning of shower head:  You can clean the shower heads and fixtures with a descaling solution that can help remove the mineral buildup. In addition, you can also install a water softener system that reduces the hardness of your water supply for a longer time period.

Conclusion

Some of the above-mentioned causes can be fixed at home by having basic plumbing skills and using some DIY techniques. However, if you are unsure about carrying out the repairs, if you are still unable to resolve bathroom shower issues, then it is advisable to call the professionals for bathroom shower repair or replacement. 

Nevertheless, you can also visit the Urban Gaffa website, to get connected with 5 certified and vetted expert plumbers and you can choose the one that has the expertise skills and matches with your home improvement requirements.