Many people will understand that habit can be hard to break and you need to understand the consequences to put things into perspective. In this case, we’re looking at showering habits, we all have our little rituals in how we prepare for and take a shower. There are shower using habits that can damage your
bathroom plumbing and cost a lot of money. Let’s examine three terrible showering habits and look at how they can impact your home.
- Taking Long Luxurious Hot Showers
The odd luxurious shower at the weekend may be a well earned treat, but many people shower this way all the time. If you consistently shower this way you can cause a host of problems for you and your bathroom. It’s not unusual for people that shower this way to have dry and itchy skin conditions. Running a hot shower for long periods can also encourage the growth of mold throughout your shower or bathroom. If you are going to take a longer shower, make sure that the bathroom has adequate ventilation by opening a window or even the bathroom door. It’s a better idea to limit your showers to 10 minutes in length and only use moderately warm water. If you really want to feel refreshed, rinsing with cold water after a warm shower is a great way to go.
- Hair Down the Drain
One of the worst things that you can do to your plumbing is to help in forming clogs that can block drains. Hair and other debris that is allowed to go into your drain can easily form blockages that can be hard to shift. Over time the debris will build up and bind with soap scum to form tough clogs that may need to be physically removed. The first sign of this is usually a slow drain as the water struggles to make its way past the obstruction. The solution is simple, get a drain stop or cover to catch hair and other debris before it makes its way into the drain. Then you can collect the waste after your shower and dispose of it in your trash.
- Correct Loofah Storage
Many people use their loofah in the shower and afterward store it there ready for next time. This may seem perfectly reasonable, but it’s actually a terrible idea. The shower environment is warm and moist, which are perfect conditions for the growth of bacteria. If your loofah is kept in the shower, it could also be covered with unfriendly bacteria and become unhealthy to use. No-one wants to rub bacteria all over their skin when they are trying to get clean. It’s a better idea, to finish your shower, grab your loofah and take it with you. The ring it dry and find a better drier place to store it until you’re ready to use it next. Every week you could wash your loofah with antibacterial soap to ensure that it’s clean and bacteria free.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
