If the shower has weak water pressure, an uneven spray pattern, or water coming from only some of the holes, the shower head may be blocked by limescale.
Limescale commonly builds up in hard-water areas and can gradually block the small spray holes. Tenants are expected to carry out routine cleaning and keep the shower head reasonably free from limescale.
Please complete the cleaning steps below before reporting a fault. If the problem continues after the shower head has been fully descaled, open a maintenance task with the required photos and information.
Important Safety Notice
```- Do not mix vinegar with bleach or any other cleaning chemical.
- Do not use boiling water, as it may damage plastic or rubber parts.
- Always follow the instructions on any commercial limescale remover.
- Wear gloves and protect your eyes when using cleaning products.
- Do not force, twist or dismantle a fixed shower fitting.
- Do not use sharp metal objects that could damage the spray holes.
- If the shower is electric, do not open the casing or touch electrical components.
Video Guide
The video below shows a general method for cleaning and descaling a shower head.
How to Clean a Removable Shower Head
1. Remove the shower head
Turn off the shower and carefully unscrew the shower head from the hose. Hold the hose connector securely while turning the shower head so the hose is not twisted.
If the shower head does not unscrew easily, do not force it. Use the fixed shower-head method below instead.
2. Inspect the washer and connection
Check whether there is a small rubber washer inside the connection. Keep it safe, as the shower may leak if the washer is lost or refitted incorrectly.
3. Prepare a descaling solution
Place the shower head in a suitable bowl or container and cover the affected area with one of the following:
- White vinegar
- A diluted white-vinegar solution
- A commercial bathroom limescale remover suitable for the shower-head material
Do not add bleach or mix different cleaning products together.
4. Leave it to soak
Leave the shower head to soak for approximately one or two hours. Heavier limescale may require a longer period, subject to the cleaning-product instructions.
Avoid leaving delicate, coloured, brass, gold-effect or specialist finishes in vinegar for extended periods, as acidic products may damage the coating.
5. Clean the spray holes
After soaking, gently rub the rubber spray nozzles with your fingers or use a soft toothbrush.
A wooden cocktail stick or plastic tool may be used carefully to loosen visible deposits. Do not use needles or sharp metal objects.
6. Rinse thoroughly
Rinse the shower head thoroughly with clean water to remove the vinegar, limescale and cleaning-product residue.
7. Refit the shower head
Make sure the rubber washer is correctly positioned and screw the shower head back onto the hose by hand.
Do not overtighten it, as this may damage the fitting or washer.
8. Test the shower
Turn on the shower and check:
- Whether water flows from all spray holes
- Whether the spray pattern is even
- Whether the pressure has improved
- Whether water leaks from the hose connection
How to Clean a Fixed Shower Head
If the shower head is fixed to the wall or ceiling and cannot be removed safely, it can usually be descaled using a plastic bag.
1. Prepare the bag
Place enough white vinegar or suitable diluted descaling solution into a strong plastic bag to cover the spray face of the shower head.
2. Fit the bag around the shower head
Carefully raise the bag over the shower head so the blocked spray holes are submerged.
Secure the bag around the shower arm using an elastic band, cable tie or string. Do not place excessive weight on the shower fitting.
3. Leave it to soak
Leave the shower head soaking for approximately one or two hours, or for the period specified by the cleaning-product manufacturer.
4. Remove the bag and clean the nozzles
Carefully remove the bag and dispose of the used solution. Gently rub the spray nozzles or clean them using a soft toothbrush.
5. Run the shower
Run the shower for several minutes to flush away loosened limescale and cleaning residue.
How to Prevent Limescale Build-Up
- Wipe the shower head regularly with a damp cloth.
- Rub flexible rubber spray nozzles to loosen early deposits.
- Descale the shower head periodically before the holes become fully blocked.
- Dry the shower head and fittings after use where practical.
- Do not leave strong cleaning chemicals on plated finishes.
When to Open a Maintenance Task
Please open a maintenance task if:
- The pressure remains low after the shower head has been fully descaled
- The shower head cannot be removed or safely cleaned
- The hose or shower head is split, damaged or leaking
- The fixed shower head is loose
- There is no water flow from the shower
- The water temperature is not working correctly
- Water pressure is also low at other taps
- The problem affects both hot and cold water
- An electric shower displays an error or stops working
Low pressure that continues after cleaning may be caused by a blocked hose, faulty shower valve, plumbing problem, water-supply issue or fault within the shower unit.
Photos and Information Required
When opening the maintenance task, please provide:
- A clear photo of the complete shower head
- A close-up photo of the spray holes before cleaning
- A close-up photo after cleaning
- A short video showing the water flow and spray pattern
- A photo of any leaking hose or connection
- The make and model of the shower, if visible
- Confirmation that the shower head was descaled
- Confirmation of whether the shower head is removable or fixed
- Confirmation of whether other taps have normal pressure
- Details of whether the issue affects hot water, cold water or both
Providing this information helps us identify whether the issue relates to routine limescale cleaning, the shower head, the hose, the shower valve or the property’s water supply.
Possible Contractor Charges
If a plumber or contractor attends and the only issue is a shower head blocked by routine limescale that could have been removed through normal cleaning, the call-out charge may be recharged to the tenant.
If the problem is caused by a defective shower head, damaged hose, faulty valve, plumbing obstruction or another repair issue not caused by tenant use, the landlord will normally be responsible for arranging the repair.
