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Homeowners Legionella Service
The bacteria Legionella, which causes Legionnaires’ disease, poses a minor risk for most healthy individuals. Cases of illness are likelier found in people occupying more complex plumbing systems of larger buildings rather than a single-family home or townhome. However, if your home has people living in it who may be at risk (those over 50, smokers, those with weak immune systems), or if you just want to take additional precautions, here are some ways to reduce or minimize the growth of Legionella in the plumbing of your home.
Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is a simple task that, when done often, can minimize risk of Legionella. Such maintenance includes cleaning shower heads and faucet aerators. Flushing the hot water tank on a regular basis may also mitigate risk, but this should be done with caution and performed by a qualified plumber.
Cleaning your showerheads and faucet aerators at least four times per year can minimize the growth of the Legionella bacteria. Clean them more often if your home has high risk patients or if there is build-up of minerals or slimy film.
To clean them:
- Disassemble the shower head and hose that is attached to it.
- Place in a bucket with a product filled with vinegar or your cleaning product of choice. Let it soak for a few minutes to remove any scale.
- Rinse with fresh water.
- Soak them again in a disinfectant with bleach. (1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water.)
- Rinse with fresh water and reassemble.
Note: Chrome showerheads can change color with this type of heavy cleaning. For this reason, you may want to replace a chrome feature with another finish. Also, have some spare washers available if leaks begin upon reassembly. Have some spare washers available if leaks emerge upon reassembly.