Maintaining your shower to remain functional can prolong the lifespan of your fixtures and overall structure for years. However, like all home infrastructure, they eventually wear down over time, especially because they operate in wet and moist environments.
This is when you’re likely to notice patterns of malfunction or a change in the quality and condition of your shower. Depending on the extent of impairment, you’ll either have to get it fixed or have certain parts replaced. While trying to figure out which service you’ll need can be confusing, there are several ways to discern whether your shower would be better off getting an upgrade.
Here are five signs that it’s time to replace your shower:
- Leakages
A leaking shower often indicates a problem with the shower fixtures, mainly the showerhead, hose, or somewhere further within the piping system. A dripping shower can become costly to repair and cause wider property damage if left untreated. What’s more, it can lead to increased water bills and also expose your family to environmental hazards.
In the case of a showerhead causing leaks, the issue could lie with a limescale buildup causing a clog that lets water trickle out when the shower is shut off. If your inner showerhead residue can’t be cleaned adequately, you can have it replaced along with the hose. For a more serious and undetectable leakage coming from inner pipes or valves, you can see the Yelp listing for Dan’s Plumbing and get a professional service to make repairs where necessary.
- Cracks And Chips
One of the most noticeable signs of a damaged or worn-out shower is cracks and chips in the wall tiles. There may also be loose, missing, or cracked stones and pebbles on the shower floor that pool water. This can then expose water to infiltrate the tile underneath and cause watertight sealants to peel off.
There are several reasons why shower tiles can crack and chip, including water damage underneath or poor material quality or installation. In either case, you must get breaks in the wall or floor replaced if they can’t be salvaged. This is because broken tiles and flooring can harm your household if someone slips or gets cut on the sharp cracking edges. Thus, a replacement job can protect the inner structure of your shower in the long term.
- Mould And Mildew Growths
Over time, when your shower has been exposed to excess moisture and dampness, you’ll start to notice a change in the odor and natural color of your shower. This can be due to mildew that can eventually turn to mold growing between the tile grout, walls, ceilings, and the silicone sealants surrounding the shower rim. They are visible as black or dark green spots or white and grey patches that can lead to respiratory illnesses, pest infestations, and allergic conditions if not removed.
Furthermore, the severity and progression of the mold will determine whether your shower will need replacing. A small growth that forms on the surface of tiles and walls can be scrubbed away and disinfected with household detergents such as vinegar and chemical cleaning products. However, if mold has spread deep within the shower walls causing rot, cracks, and breaking of segments, this is a sign of structural damage that will need a shower replacement.
- Stains, Discoloration And Sediment Buildup
Even if you’ve managed to destroy or prevent mold and mildew, stains and discoloration can still be signs of an aging shower that can no longer withstand wear and tear. You’ll notice these stains as dark brown to an orange-yellow discoloration that doesn’t come out with cleaning. This is common in areas where hard water is treated with minerals such as iron and magnesium.
Eventually, these elements can combine to form rust and stains. Furthermore, showerheads are also susceptible to a sediment buildup of lime and calcium, which is noticeable by white rocky deposits forming around the head and collecting on the shower floor. Moreover, your shower fixtures will need replacing if rust has set in and weakened them beyond repair.
- Changes In Water Temperature Or Pressure
While taking a shower, be aware of any changes you may experience in the water temperature or pressure. For instance, water could suddenly change from scalding to freezing or constantly sputtering and not coming out at full volume.
This usually happens when old showers can’t pump up and maintain a steady stream of water. This faulty pressure balance in the valves is also what causes temperature fluctuations. Other issues that can cause these changes are excessive moisture in your basement and a damaged water heater. In this case, there may be mechanical parts that need replacing by a professional plumber or handyman.
Conclusion:
The most important signs that tell you it’s time to replace your shower are changes in its condition and any changes in how the water comes out. These are all indications of impairment in the internal structure or within the shower environment.
Any major damage, such as cracks, rot, broken parts, or irremovable stains, are the clearest signs that your shower will benefit more from new parts than fixing them alone. Doing this can prevent higher water bills and larger-scale replacement jobs in the future.
