Household fixtures, especially those that are constantly exposed to water, can be damaged by continuous exposure. The most common victims are plumbing and other bathroom amenities as they are regularly used and are always exposed to water during these times. While they may be made to endure water exposure, not all plumbing fixtures are created “equally” – they are not entirely immune to water damage and some can get affected earlier or faster than others.
Generally, bathroom fixtures (and other water-using fixtures) are primarily damaged due to hard water –water that has a high concentration of dissolved minerals like magnesium and calcium. There may also be manganese, brass, iron, or copper in the water aside from magnesium and calcium. These elements are picked up by groundwater as it passes in and around soil and rocks.
There are common problems that you may encounter due to water damage on bathroom fixtures, such as:
- clogged showerheads, especially if coupled with hard water buildup around the openings in your shower head
- soap scum or “soap curd” on tubs, showers and other surfaces
- permanent damage to plumbing fixtures such as discoloration due to chemicals eating through the coating
- leakage which, when not addressed after long, can slowly damage areas where the water leaks
- permanent damage to glass shower doors due to chemicals
- increased water heater energy consumption
Not all hope is lost. Despite the inevitability of water damage over time, you can prolong the usability and ‘life’ of your bathroom fixtures by using one or more of these several methods for maintaining your bathroom fixtures: water conditioning systems, reducing water pressure, and water heater maintenance.
Find out more about how you can help fixtures last longer and perform more efficiently with this infographic:
