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A new shower is an upgrade that adds to your bathroom’s aesthetics and comfort. We understand that having us install a new shower in your home is an investment. You want it to last and enjoy it for many years. Fortunately, routine maintenance and thorough cleaning will extend its lifespan. Follow these tips to keep your shower looking great and functioning properly.
Make Cleaning a Priority
Regularly cleaning your shower will prevent soap scum buildup and mineral deposits. This keeps your shower looking beautiful for longer. After showering, use a gentle spray cleaner made for showers and a soft cloth to wipe the walls. This maintains a clean shower without having to exert a lot of effort.
Deep Cleaning
Even though you routinely wipe down your shower, you need to do a deep clean at least once a month. This helps you stay on top of areas prone to buildup and grime. All you need is warm, soapy water and a stiff-bristle brush. Dish detergent works well for this. Gently scrub your shower while paying attention to shower tiles and grout lines. This removes any dirt that’s accumulating.
Clean the Shower Floor
Your shower floor needs special care to stay clean and prevent mold and bacteria, which can make it slippery.
Clean it once a week. Use a PH-neutral cleaner to avoid damaging the tile or grout. Leave the cleaner on the floor for several minutes to help it break down oils and dirt. A soft brush will get rid of the buildup without damaging the surface.
Clean Grout Lines
If you have grout lines on your shower floor, they can stain or develop mildew without a regular deep cleaning. Make a paste out of baking soda and water. Apply it to the grout with a brush, and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing. For stubborn stains, you can use hydrogen peroxide.
Rinse Completely
Always thoroughly rinse your shower floor after cleaning it. Any products left behind can become a slipping hazard.
Maintain Shower Doors and Curtains
Look for a washable shower curtain. Washing it in a mild detergent will remove mildew and bacteria. Hang it to dry.
To clean shower doors, use a solution of white vinegar and water. Apply it with a spray bottle to effectively eliminate soap scum. Wipe down the surfaces with a microfiber cloth.
Cleaning Special Materials
If you have a stone shower, you need to clean it routinely without damaging the natural stone. Skip acidic cleaners, as they can scratch the surface. Instead, use PH-neutral cleansers specifically for stone care.
You’ll also want special cleaners specifically for your shower fixtures. These cleaners help prevent corrosion and rust that other cleaners may cause.
Removing Hard Water and Rust Stains
Rust and hard water stains are difficult to remove. Lemon juice or a rust remover specifically for shower surfaces can effectively remove them. Always test cleaners in a small area first to ensure they won’t cause damage. As a preventative measure, we can install a water treatment solution, such as a water softener, to reduce mineral deposits.
Clean Your Showerhead
Mineral deposits can build up and eventually clog your showerhead. This reduces the water flow, making your shower experience less enjoyable. You can soak your showerhead in a vinegar and water solution to help remove this buildup. If your showerhead shows wear and tear, we can replace it.
Improve Ventilation
Even something as simple as ventilation will affect your shower’s longevity. An exhaust fan will ensure you have proper ventilation in your bathroom. This reduces humidity levels after you shower, which prevents mold and mildew growth.
High-capacity exhaust fans are great for bigger bathrooms or kitchens because they quickly remove moisture from the air, making the space more comfortable. Some of these fans come with built-in humidity sensors that can automatically change their speed depending on how much moisture is present, helping you keep the air fresh and dry without any extra effort.
Inline fans are also installed in the ducts, which are quieter and work efficiently to reduce moisture in multiple rooms simultaneously.
If you’re looking for an energy-efficient option, these fans often have strong motors and can move a lot of air, which is important in humid areas. When choosing the right fan, consider the size of the room, the amount of moisture in the air, and how efficiently you want the fan to work.
Things To Avoid
In addition to all of these tips, there are a few things you want to avoid when it comes to your shower’s longevity.
Abrasive Cleaners
Abrasive cleaners, harsh scrubbing pads, and brushes can scratch your shower’s finishes.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
The drain is an essential part of your shower and needs special care. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners. They can damage your shower’s plumbing by degrading and corroding the pipes and other materials.
Instead of a chemical drain cleaner, use an enzyme cleaner. They rely on bacteria to break down the buildup of organic materials. You can also use a baking soda and vinegar mixture. These options are environmentally friendly and gentle on your shower and drain.
Rinsing Hair Down the Drain
Hair that you rinse down the shower drain can accumulate over time. It can eventually cause the drain to run slowly or even wholly clog. We can clean your drain, but it’s always best to avoid these situations in the first place.
Shower Caddies
If you’re like most people, you have a lot of soaps, shampoos, and conditioners in your shower. Shower caddies seem like the convenient solution for keeping these items neat. They hang over the showerhead, where you can easily reach everything you need. Unfortunately, all those products’ weight can drag the showerhead down and cause damage. It’s better to use a plastic basket that sits on the shower floor.
Putting off Repairs
Don’t ignore water leaks or slow drains. These problems will only get worse as time passes. We can clean your drains to provide you with better water flow and locate and diagnose the cause of water leaks. With the necessary repairs, we’ll ensure that your shower drain lasts long.
Your Service Company Experts
In addition to our bathroom fixture and shower installation, we are your heating and cooling experts. We offer professional installation, maintenance plans, and repair services. This includes furnaces, boilers, ductless heating, and heat pumps. We prioritize your comfort and offer a home energy audit to ensure you get the best value for your energy expenses. If we locate a problem, we offer duct sealing, air sealing, and weatherization to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Our plumbing service includes water heaters, sewer line repair, and sump pump replacement. We can even help you with your interior and exterior electrical needs. Our family business cares about your safety, comfort, and satisfaction. We provide an honest and fair price before we start any job, and you’ll love our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call Pipe Works Services in Chatham today for your shower installation and repair needs.
