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shower disused for long period - need to flush out pipes before use?

  • 01-03-2010 11:51pm
    #1
    echosound
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 773 ✭✭✭


    Hi there,
    bit of a stupid query but just want to see if I'm missing something glaringly obvious:

    We have a shower in an en-suite that we haven't used at all in about 4 years (been using the electric shower in the family bathroom) and I intend to finally start making use of this shower after a recent boiler upgrade.

    This shower is heated via immersion from the tank, and everything all works fine and dandy - just wondering if all we need to do is flush out the pipes to the shower by running water for a period of time before first use, as they've been sitting idle for so long?

    Or is there anything else we need to do? (for some reason the fear of Legionnaire's disease keep floating into my thoughts :o and I'm wondering if there's not more that needs to be done to pipes sitting idle that long).

    Cheers for any help!


Comments

  • #2
    Joey the lips
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,262 ✭✭✭✭Joey the lips


    Nope... Should work fine. Let it run for 5min. What i am surprised is that the trap in the shower tray did not dry out and you have not been getting a smell in the bathroom.


  • #3
    Markie_c
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5 ✭Markie_c


    I'd think you'll be safe enough just sticking down some of those Mr Muscle type things down first to make sure it'll clear out any stuff that might be 'stuck' in the pipes... then wash it down as per instruction on bottle..

    I wouldn't worry about the pipes being idle ;)


  • #4
    Joey the lips
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,262 ✭✭✭✭Joey the lips


    Markie_c wrote: »
    I'd think you'll be safe enough just sticking down some of those Mr Muscle type things down first to make sure it'll clear out any stuff that might be 'stuck' in the pipes... then wash it down as per instruction on bottle..

    I wouldn't worry about the pipes being idle ;)

    Your not suppose to use mr muscle in the shower tray. Its acid based and can eat away at the coating.

    Run the water for 5min. it will be fine.


  • #5
    echosound
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 773 ✭✭✭echosound


    Thanks for the super-quick responses!

    No smells from the shower-tray at all, so will just run the water for a while so, and make sure the outlet isn't clogged. Thought that was all that was needed alright, but said I'd check with someone who knows a bit more about plumbing than I do (which is virtually zilch).

    Cheers guys :)


  • #6
    items
    Closed Accounts Posts: 672 ✭✭✭items


    A shower head thats been left without use can be a nice home for nasty bacteria, ones that can do harm even kill. Its not a good idea to go straight into shower and use after its been left idol, the bacteria can become air born and inhaled from steam / fine mist.

    Temperature above 65 degree kills off the bacteria, best run shower above 65 for a while before using. 65 degree will kill of the bacteria in 2 mins, 70 to 80 degree is disinfection temperature.

    Look up Legionellosis, the bacteria that leads to legionnaires disease.


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  • #7
    echosound
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 773 ✭✭✭echosound


    Cheers Items, so I wasn't being over-dramatic in imagining Legionnaires disease then?
    Will run the water at as high a temp as I can get it to so for a while, actually will also see if I can disassemble the shower head/detach it from the wall and give it a good scald/disinfecting in proper boiling water and possibly a spot of dettol or similar.


  • #8
    items
    Closed Accounts Posts: 672 ✭✭✭items


    echosound wrote: »
    Cheers Items, so I wasn't being over-dramatic in imagining Legionnaires disease then?
    Will run the water at as high a temp as I can get it to so for a while, actually will also see if I can disassemble the shower head/detach it from the wall and give it a good scald/disinfecting in proper boiling water and possibly a spot of dettol or similar.

    Not at all, its a fairly common threat but one thats unaware to most. Cases of L.... happens a lot in hospitals and hotels even B&B's. Shower heads are main culprit, air conditioning is another, pressure washers is another, any time water lies to stagnate at right temp then turned into mist or spray their is a threat.

    I'd run shower a bit hotter than norm for 5 mins to be sure pipework / valve is sound then take off head and give it a good clean, I'd say it could do with one any way, build up of limescale and all the rest.

    For what its worth,

    70 to 80 °C (158 to 176 °F): Disinfection range
    At 66 °C (151 °F): Legionellae die within 2 minutes
    At 60 °C (140 °F): Legionellae die within 32 minutes
    At 55 °C (131 °F): Legionellae die within 5 to 6 hours
    Above 50 °C (122 °F): They can survive but do not multiply
    35 to 46 °C (95 to 115 °F): Ideal growth range
    20 to 50 °C (68 to 122 °F): Legionellae growth range
    Below 20 °C (68 °F): Legionellae can survive but are dormant


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