Shower heads will always wear out faster than the shower itself, but many homeowners are unsure about how frequently they should replace this fixture. A general recommendation is to replace the shower head every 6 to 8 months, which is probably a lot sooner than many would expect! 

Innovative Baths, an experienced bathroom remodeling company servicing the Nashville and Knoxville areas, has been replacing shower heads among our many other remodeling solutions since we opened our doors in 2005. While many homeowners have most likely utilized a shower head for much longer than 8 months, there are many reasons why a shorter timeline is a good idea.

Sediment Builds Up Over Time

All shower heads have screens to separate chemicals and additives from the tap water, and over time these screens will eventually become clogged with the removed sediment. Mainly consisting of calcium, this build up will result in decreased water pressure. 

Cleaning your shower head once a month with a simple solution of water and vinegar will keep any sediment build up at bay, and let your shower head continue functioning as normal. While this could extend the lifespan of yours, it'll still most likely need replacing around the 8-month mark. 

Bacteria Grow in Water Fixtures

Bacteria love warm, moist areas, making your shower head the perfect home for these unwanted organisms. If you use the same shower head for over a year, the bacteria could multiply dangerously and cause respiratory illnesses. 

You won't be able to tell how much bacteria has accumulated in your water fixture, but cleaning will once again keep it from getting out of control. Once a month, unscrew your shower head and soak it in either:

  • Vinegar and Water: If using this solution, soak your shower head for anywhere from 3 to 24 hours. Add a little baking soda to help remove other debris while you're at it!
  • Diluted Bleach: 1 teaspoon of bleach added to 1 gallon of water will create a cleansing bath for your shower head. You'll only need to soak it for 30 to 60 minutes.

Black Mold Can Appear

If you noticed black spots forming on your shower head, unfortunately you're dealing with black mold. Our first and foremost recommendation for dealing with this issue is to immediately get a replacement. Go with a metal shower head for a better chance at avoiding this issue in the future!

If you want to attempt to clear out the black mold, unscrew your shower head and this time soak it in hydrogen peroxide. The fixture should be completely submerged for at least an hour. After, rinse the shower head off with warm water, and then let it dry out completely before reinstalling it. To ensure there is no lingering hydrogen peroxide, run hot water out of the shower head for at least five minutes. 

Issues with Persistent Water Leaks

If you hear dripping from a new shower head, there's a chance you just need to tighten the fixture. But over time, any worn out shower head will continue leaking, no matter how much elbow grease you try and put into it. This isn't just annoying, but leaks mean water is being wasted, and utility bills will increase as a result. 

As a local, customer-focused business, Innovative Baths offers efficient bathroom renovation services, including one-day bath remodels, so that our customers can get back to their every day lives as soon as possible. Whether you need a new shower head, a shower installation, or any of our other top-tier bathroom remodeling services, give us a call today. We'll give you a free estimate and more information on what we can do for you!