1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Remodeling and shower heads

Posted by Tina Sims @tinaesims, May 26, 2022

I've read the previous discussion on shower heads but I don't think it answered my question. I am remodeling "my husbands" bathroom. My bathroom has the shower head that flips apart. I do like it but I'm looking for a typical shower head in this bathroom. Now that the shower is being redone, I might just use it. I saw mention of a study that rates shower heads but didn't see the link. Does anybody have a suggestion? My contractor just said buy American.

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donnaturn | @donnaturn | May 8 7:55pm
In reply to @sueinmn "I'm not sure what you mean by cleaning showerheads, but raising the hot water temp has..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I'm not sure what you mean by cleaning showerheads, but raising the hot water temp has been shown most effective, along with a periodic soak in vinegar. A recent update from the MAC conference is questioning whether the filters are effective.
We rely on a showerhead with big drops, high water temp and a strong exhaust fan. I also leave the room after shower until air clears.

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Sue- I have had difficulty finding a showerhead with big drops or even information about showerheads that have large holes. Please let me know what you have and how you like it. Thanks! Donna

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2 replies
donnaturn | @donnaturn | May 8 7:59pm
In reply to @becleartoday "This is all so confusing, isn't it?? My understanding of Dr. Falkinham's suggestions is that drying..." + (show)
@becleartoday

This is all so confusing, isn't it?? My understanding of Dr. Falkinham's suggestions is that drying out a showerhead is not going to kill MAC. In fact, his lab found that dessicated MAC continued to stay alive for the seven weeks of the study! Yikes. So what's a person like us supposed to do?

Dr F suggests submerging the showerhead in undiluted bleach for 30 minutes. I also have heard him say that he is fond of scrubbing, so you might want to use a brush.

With that said, I take a different approach. At home I use an inexpensive showerhead with big holes that I buy on Amazon. I have purchased both a regular showerhead and a hand-held one by AquaDance (make sure that there is a large hole setting). I swap the head out regularly and donate the showerheads to Habitat for Humanity.

When I go to my California rental property for the winter, I remove the showerhead and shower like that. I have learned to like it. I imagine I am under a Hawaiian waterfall:) Mostly, I take one minute showers. Again, not ideal, but it gets the job done. My husband uses the other bathroom and is not inconvenienced by this showerhead-less approach.

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Do both of your showerheads have big holes and are they both made by Aqua Dance? I have had such a difficult time finding one with big holes or even one that states the size of the holes. I appreciate any info you can provide. Thanks! Donna

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 8 10:02pm
In reply to @donnaturn "Sue- I have had difficulty finding a showerhead with big drops or even information about showerheads..." + (show)
@donnaturn

Sue- I have had difficulty finding a showerhead with big drops or even information about showerheads that have large holes. Please let me know what you have and how you like it. Thanks! Donna

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Mine is by Moen (I think) and described as a "rainfall" showerhead. It feels like walking in the rain with big drops.
It's several years old, so I have no idea of the model.
Sue

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1 reply
becleartoday | @becleartoday | May 9 5:02am
In reply to @donnaturn "Do both of your showerheads have big holes and are they both made by Aqua Dance?..." + (show)
@donnaturn

Do both of your showerheads have big holes and are they both made by Aqua Dance? I have had such a difficult time finding one with big holes or even one that states the size of the holes. I appreciate any info you can provide. Thanks! Donna

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Although I have a wall-mounted showerhead and a handheld, I just use the handheld, holding it close to my body. That way it produces very little steam. In the past, when I’ve replaced the wall-mounted one I bought it from Aquadance, but I see now it’s not available. That happens sometimes with these cheap showerheads. Sometimes they start producing similar ones under a different name. I’ll look later to see if I can find a comparable one, but this is the handheld I buy:
https://a.co/d/f3qI23M
Enjoy the day,
Linda Esposito

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scoop | @scoop | May 9 9:37am

General question about all these shower heads -- is there a mesh screen behind the holes of the shower head? If so does that negate any largeness of the hole. I soak our shower heads in vinegar every now and then but honestly I've given up on finding one with big holes due to the mesh behind the holes. But maybe I am wrong that about the mesh?

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becleartoday | @becleartoday | May 9 10:49am
In reply to @donnaturn "Sue- I have had difficulty finding a showerhead with big drops or even information about showerheads..." + (show)
@donnaturn

Sue- I have had difficulty finding a showerhead with big drops or even information about showerheads that have large holes. Please let me know what you have and how you like it. Thanks! Donna

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Found it!!
https://a.co/d/3mKEus1
Best,
Linda

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donnaturn | @donnaturn | May 9 12:50pm

Thanks so much, Linda. I still have questions about the relationship between pressure, flow volume, etc and may write to you again after I learn more. Donna

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donnaturn | @donnaturn | May 9 12:56pm
In reply to @sueinmn "Mine is by Moen (I think) and described as a "rainfall" showerhead. It feels like walking..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Mine is by Moen (I think) and described as a "rainfall" showerhead. It feels like walking in the rain with big drops.
It's several years old, so I have no idea of the model.
Sue

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Thanks, Sue. I will investigate rain shower heads. The thing that frustrates me is that the makers don't specify the size of the holes. Donna

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1 reply
melinda561 | @melinda561 | May 10 7:24am
In reply to @donnaturn "Thanks, Sue. I will investigate rain shower heads. The thing that frustrates me is that the..." + (show)
@donnaturn

Thanks, Sue. I will investigate rain shower heads. The thing that frustrates me is that the makers don't specify the size of the holes. Donna

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Is it possible to drill the shower head holes to make them larger? I read this suggestion some time ago but I don’t remember what site it was mentioned in.

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 10 7:26pm
In reply to @melinda561 "Is it possible to drill the shower head holes to make them larger? I read this..." + (show)
@melinda561

Is it possible to drill the shower head holes to make them larger? I read this suggestion some time ago but I don’t remember what site it was mentioned in.

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Drilling will disrupt the chrome or other metal finish. If the fixture is not solid brass, you will quickly have rust and/or corrosion.
So the answer is, you can try it but be sure to have a backup plan.
Sue

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