After a holiday or a longer absence, the water in your pipes and in your shower head has been standing still. That is why water companies and media, among others, advise flushing first before you step into the shower. Here's how to do it, and how to keep your shower head clean. For the current guidelines, check the website of your water company or the RIVM (the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment). Note: the advice and sources below refer to the Netherlands.
In short
- Flush the pipes and the shower after an absence of a week or longer.
- Hold the shower head in a bucket of water while you turn on the tap, so no mist is created.
- Set the boiler to the temperature in the manual; sources mention 55 to 60 °C.
Why flush?
Legionella is a bacterium that can grow in water. Infection happens mainly by breathing in fine water mist, for example in the shower. At temperatures above roughly 25 °C, the chance of bacterial growth increases.
How to flush
- Start with the toilet. Flushing it sends a lot of water through your pipes in one go.
- Let all the taps run. One source mentions at least a minute per tap, hot first and then cold.
- Flush the shower without mist. Hold the shower head in a bucket of water while you turn on the tap. The sources mention between one and five minutes; so err on the generous side.
- Ventilate. Open a window or switch on the mechanical ventilation before you turn on the shower.
Boiler temperature
Legionella grows poorly at high temperatures. According to media, Vitens (a Dutch water company) advises setting the boiler to at least 55 °C; ID.nl (a Dutch information website) mentions at least 60 °C. Check the manual of your boiler or combi boiler and ask your installer if you are unsure. Hot water can cause burns: use a mixer tap or thermostat and feel the temperature before you step under it.
Keep your shower head clean
On Besjaar shower heads, the nozzles are made of silicone, so you can rub limescale off with your finger. You can read more about descaling in Descaling your shower head: vinegar or citric acid? If you have the Shower Head with Filter, replace the filter every 3 to 5 months according to the product information (here's how). A shower head or filter does not replace flushing.
Symptoms?
If you have serious symptoms after a possible risk of infection, such as high fever or coughing, contact your GP and tell them where you have been.
Sources
- AVROTROS Radar: Attentie: terug van vakantie, spoel de kranen door (in Dutch)
- AVROTROS Radar: Terug van vakantie? Voorkom legionella-infectie in je eigen huis (in Dutch)
- BNNVARA Zembla: Hoe kun je een legionellabesmetting voorkomen? (in Dutch)
- ID.nl: 15 vragen over legionella (in Dutch)
- Max Vandaag: Risico op legionella thuis het grootst bij terugkomst van vakantie (in Dutch)
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