Why we need to replace showerheads more regularly?

Showerheads or a Germ Machine

Every day we all take shower never thought about what is coming out of these showerheads. This study will make us think about that.

 

Check Research Finding

This study finds that many showerheads are dirty and may be covering you in a daily dose of bacteria that could make you sick. An analysis of 50 showerheads from nine U.S. cities found that about 30 percent harboured high levels of Mycobacterium avium a group of bacteria that can cause lung infections when inhaled or swallowed. Researchers from the University of Colorado at Boulder found the levels of Mycobacterium avium were 100 times higher than those found in typical household water.

Researcher found that when we start taking shower we get a high load of Mycobacterium avium initially. Mycobacterium avium is linked to pulmonary disease, causing symptoms such as a persistent drug cough, breathlessness and fatigue, and most often infects people with compromised immune system but can occasionally infect healthy people.

Research at the National Jewish Hospital in Denver found that increases in pulmonary infections in the United States in recent decades from so-called non-tuberculosis mycobacteria species like Mycobacterium avium may be linked to people taking more showers and fewer baths. They also find that water spurting from showerheads can distribute pathogen-filled droplets that suspend themselves in the air and can easily be inhaled into the deepest parts of the lungs.

The problem with showerheads is that the insides provide a moist, warm, dark haven where bacteria can form sticky "biofilms" that allow them to gain a foothold and eventually set up residence in the device.

What is required for replacing Shower head?

 

1.      Wrench

2.      Some waterproof sealant or thread tape

3.      Shower head replacement kits

 

How to Replace a Shower Head

 Step #1

Turn off the water to your home. While this isn't absolutely necessary, it's better safe than sorry to turn off the water at the main shutoff valve to your home. If you live in an apartment or share water inlets to the building, you might only be able to turn off water to the shower itself.

Step #2

Remove the existing shower head. This will usually only require unscrewing a nut that screws unto the threaded shower pipe coming out of the wall. Do NOT bang the nut to loosen it, but rather use a wrench to break the seal on it if you need to. The pipe behind that nut and the threads are all necessary to put the new shower head on, and if you damage them, you'll have to replace piping too.

Step #3

Essentially, you put the new shower head on the same way you took the old one off, so pay attention to how the old one comes off and you'll figure it out. However, you should follow the specific instructions found in the shower head replacement kit you purchased. If the instructions are missing, you will most likely want to coat the threading with the waterproof sealant, place the plastic washer that comes with your shower head kit inside the screw cap. Follow the instructions on the sealant for how long (if at all) to let it set before screwing the shower head onto the pipe. If you're using thread tape instead of sealant, you shouldn't have to wait to move on to the next step.

Step #4

Following the shower head kit replacement instructions be sure to tighten the nut that attaches the shower head with the wrench tight enough the sealant can seal completely. Do not over tighten the connections, or you can mess up the threads and cause your shower faucet to leak.

Step #5

Once your sealant (if you used a sealant) you can turn the water to the house or the shower back on and take your new shower head for a test run. If water comes out at good pressure and doesn't spray all over the room, you have just successfully replaced your shower head! If you have leaks or low pressure, you'll need to take it apart and start over again.

How we can be safe?

1. Use metal showerheads

2. Change them regularly

3. Main concern of this type of infection is for people with weak immune systems

4. There is also another benefit of changing new showerhead is that the newer one are more efficient and more dollar saving. For an investment of $10 or less you can save $50 to $75 per year on water bills and $20 to $50 or more per year on energy bills (depending on your current showerhead and utility rates). Every new showerhead should pay for itself the first year.