Shower head

We seem to be having non-stop problems with our shower head clogging. Seems there is either a very high calcium content in the water or grit in the pipes. Anyone have a solution to this problem short of taking off and cleaning out the shower head every day or so? Also do they sell CLR down here?

I was actually going to suggest trying CLR as a first step. Don't know its availability locally.

Until you find it, you could try removing the shower head and running some water through the pipe and capturing it in a glass container. Let the water settle for awhile then look at the bottom of the container - if there is grit in the pipe it should show up in the container. If not, then your theory that it is calcium is supported (then you're back to the search for CLR!)

The water will eventually clog a shower head even if softened. However if it is happening rapidly, you may very well have a silt problem. Don't you have a silt filter in your system?

CLR, in spray or concentrate, available always Superlake for around $15 US. Or you could soak it in vinegar or muriatic acid 50/50 solution.

I don't know about the silt filter but suspect there is silt in the system. I think it is coming from the hot water tank.

I will give the vinegar a shot.

Use full-strength white vinegar. Let it soak overnight.

It is already bathing in a bowl.........jajajaja.

CB:

You might take a look at doing a "flush" of the water heater.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html
http://www.howtodothings.com/home-garden/how-to-remove-sediment-from-a-water-heater

Probably a good idea.

Gracias.

Try the CLR or Lime Away first.

Back to the Calcium issue, there is about 100 times the normal Calcium in the water, so even with a softener, too much calcium is still present.

You can ask your landlord when the filters were changed last, but I think it was recently. Also ask when she had her aljibe cleaned last. If it's more than 3 - 4 years it needs to be done.

Checking the filters won't do much good since they get dirty very shortly after installing them.

If you want to buy a new showerhead, buy one that has rubber nozzles that can be pushed in. They are self cleaning when you push the rubber nozzles in. I love mine. chico.

Chico wrote:If you want to buy a new showerhead, buy one that has rubber nozzles that can be pushed in. They are self cleaning when you push the rubber nozzles in. I love mine. chico.

What ever floats your boat.

So did the vinegar do the trick?

Yes, I did the vinegar and it is good to go for now.

I found the muriatic acid at superlake for 19 pesos for 900 ml. Its Sultan brand. Poked 3 relatively small holes in the inner protective cap and spray a small amt around the edge of the toilet bowl once a week. Absolutely no stains or rings, even removed the old calcium rings. Works great for shower head, won't use it on my coffemaker, but thats just me. For the spanish translation, it's called acido muriatico. Confused me, too.

On a positive note, probably no need for calcium supplements.

There is a similar product to CLR here - it's called BAM and there are several types so look for the one that says anit-suarro (sp). It comes in a bottle with a pour spout or spray bottle for showers, sinks etc. Every few months I take my shower head off and soak it in a mixture of half BAM and half water. Does the job.