I get the logic behind waiting until you notice a drop, but honestly, I've found checking more often can save you from bigger headaches down the line. I used to be in the "wait till it bugs me" camp too, until one time I ignored it for almost a year and ended up with sediment buildup that messed up my showerhead. Had to soak the thing in vinegar overnight—fun times, let me tell you.
Now I just do a quick check every 3-4 months. It literally takes me five minutes, tops. I haven't had any major issues since, and the water pressure stays consistently good. Maybe it's a bit overkill, but I'd rather spend a few minutes every few months than an entire weekend dealing with plumbing drama. Plus, it gives me an excuse to pretend I'm being productive around the house...which earns me brownie points with the family. Win-win, right?
Checking every few months definitely isn't overkill, especially if your area has hard water. Do you know if your sediment buildup was from minerals or was it more like rust particles? I ask because sometimes sediment issues can hint at bigger plumbing concerns—like older galvanized pipes starting to corrode internally. Not trying to alarm anyone, but catching stuff like that early can save a lot of hassle (and cash) down the road.
Also, vinegar is great for minor buildup, but have you ever tried removing and cleaning the showerhead's internal filter screen? Sometimes those little screens clog up faster than you'd expect. Quick tip: wrap some tape around your wrench to avoid scratching the finish when removing the showerhead—learned that one the hard way myself...
Checking every few months might be a bit much, honestly... I've found that once or twice a year is plenty, even with hard water. Also, vinegar's fine, but CLR works faster if you're impatient like me. Just rinse thoroughly after—trust me on that one.
I get your point about CLR being quicker, but honestly, vinegar's always been my go-to. CLR can be harsh on fixtures over time, especially if you're not super careful rinsing it off. I've had tenants accidentally damage finishes because they didn't rinse thoroughly enough. Vinegar might take longer, sure, but it's gentler and safer in the long run. Also, twice a year might work for some, but I've found quarterly checks help catch issues early—especially in older buildings.
Vinegar's definitely safer for fixtures—I learned that the hard way after CLR dulled some chrome in one of my units. Now I stick to vinegar, but water pressure still drops occasionally...anyone tried installing inline sediment filters to help with buildup?
