It always seems to happen at the worst possible moment. You’re getting the kids ready for school, or the in-laws are arriving for the weekend when disaster strikes: the toilet blocks, the shower stops draining or an ominous drip-drip-drip starts coming from the ceiling. Cue an emergency call to the plumber, a whole lot of hassle and a bill to make your eyes water.
Yet all this drama and expense could have been avoided if you'd only ditched a few bad bathroom habits. From what you flush down the loo to the little leaks you keep meaning to fix, seemingly harmless oversights can snowball into costly problems.
We asked plumbing experts which behaviours to break before your beautiful bathroom design springs a not-so-pretty surprise.
1. Using your toilet as a trash can
"When you treat your loo like a bin, you're always going to create problems,” says Matthew Powell, founder of WarmZilla. His number one frustration? People are still flushing wet wipes. "They don't break apart in the water like toilet paper does – the same goes for cotton buds and sanitary products. They catch on rough sections of pipework, build up with grease and other debris in the drainage system, and eventually create a blockage.”
If your toilet drains slowly, you hear gurgling sounds from it (or nearby plug holes), or water rises higher when you flush, there's likely an issue.
"Start by using a plunger," says Neil Lampton, plumbing expert at property maintenance company Aspect. "Though you’ll only be successful if the blockage is within the trap, rather than further down the pipework or in the soil stack."
Alternatively, try these methods for unblocking a toilet without a plunger if you don't have one to hand.
"If you catch a blockage early, a plumber or drainage engineer may be able to clear it for £100 to £200 if the pipework is easy to access,” says Matthew. "If the blockage is further along the drain or it's caused sewage to back up, the bill can rise into several hundred pounds. In more serious cases, damaged pipework or flooring affected by contaminated water can make the repair very expensive.”
Simply put, you should only ever flush toilet paper and human waste in a toilet. And if your toilet is already draining slowly, don't repeatedly flush it as you can cause the bowl to overflow.
Matthew Powell is the founder of WarmZilla. Starting as a plumbing apprentice, he spent more than 20 years building and scaling heating and plumbing businesses across the UK, covering everything from boiler installation and heating systems to high-end bathroom projects. Matthew is a Gas Safe engineer, central heating engineer and holds an NVQ Level 2 in plumbing. Combining this hands-on trade experience with technology, he launched WarmZilla to transform how homeowners buy and manage boiler, plumbing, and wider home services.
Neil has more than 15 years’ experience working with plumbing systems and diagnosing faults in homes and commercial properties. He oversees investigations into hidden water leaks for property maintenance and trains engineers in specialist diagnostic techniques.
2. Washing your hair down the shower drain
“Almost one in five (19%) people admit to putting hair down the drain, rising to 27% of under-35s*," reveals Chris Houghton, home expert at HomeServe.
"Hair knots together with soap scum and shampoo residue, forming a dense clog just below the plughole," he explains. "Signs of an issue include water building around your feet in the shower, a bath that’s slow to empty, or a bad smell from the drain. Left alone, This slow drain becomes a full blockage, and standing water can damage shower tray seals and leak into the floor below."
So what do you do about it? "A cheap hair catcher will stop most of the build-up," says Chris. "Clear it after every few showers and pull out any visible hair from the plughole once a week.”
"Chemical products are available to clear blocked shower drains but take care when using them, it’s possible to damage your pipes if you use them too often," adds Neil Lampton. "A mixture of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar can sometimes be more effective. If your shower keeps blocking it’s time to call a professional, who will use specialist equipment to clear challenging blockages – with tools that can reach over 20 meters into the pipes."
*Based on Opinium research commissioned by HomeServe amongst 2,000 UK adults (18+), with fieldwork conducted between 2nd and 5th June 2026.
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You'll pay a bit more for this robust steel hair catcher, but it fits any standard drain and its silicone border keeps it in place on your shower floor. After your shower, pull out the central plastic shroom and remove the hair caught around it
Made from natural enzymes, these non-toxic sticks promise to break down hair and soap scum (as well as fat, oil and food residue), leaving just a pleasant citrus smell. Pop one down your plughole once a month to stop clogs and nasty smells
If you already have a hair problem, Lakeland's famous drain weasel is worth a try before you call a plumber. Use it to hook pesky hair out from your pipework without chemicals – the flexible rod can be released without you even touching it
3. Neglecting damaged silicone sealant
It's hard to disagree that black mould or peeling sealant around a bath, sink or shower looks unattractive. But it's not just a cosmetic issue. "The seal around a bath or shower is there to stop water finding its way behind tiles," says Matthew Powell. "Once that silicone starts splitting, water can escape every time the shower is used. At first there may be very little to see, which is why people can ignore it for months, but eventually you might notice staining on the ceiling below, a musty smell, loose flooring, swollen skirting boards or tiles beginning to move.
According to Matthew, you can usually replace a failed seal for around £80-150, but if you leave the leak long enough, that cost could skyrocket. "If you've got damaged plasterboard or rotten timber, your floor and ceiling might need replacing, and that can easily turn into a bill over £1,000," he tells us. "So check the seal around baths, shower trays and basins regularly and act as soon as you see gaps or lifting."
"If you’re siliconing a shower yourself, remove the old silicone completely, clean and dry the surface properly and allow the new bathroom sealant to cure before using the shower," Matthew advises. "If water has already reached the room below or the floor feels soft, I’d get the area checked, because if you just put fresh silicone over the gap you're not going to repair any damage that’s already happened underneath."
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I can vouch for the effectiveness of this amazing mould and mildew spray, which moves ugly black marks before your silicone is seriously compromised. It works in 30 minutes
If you decide your silicone has to go, this tool will help you strip it out from both corners and flat surfaces, then neatening your newly applied silicone. It can also open your sealant
We voted this our pick of the best bathroom sealants because of its ease of use (thanks to an integrated and resealable application cap), its anti-mould formula and long-lasting protection
4. Using the same strong cleaner on every surface
Sometimes, especially when you're in a hurry, it's easiest to reach for the strongest cleaner in the cupboard and blitz your bathroom with it. But do so at your peril. "A cleaner that works on your toilet bowl isn’t automatically suitable for your taps," says James Roberts, a qualified plumber and director at Sanctuary Bathrooms.
"Abrasive pads scratch finishes, while bleach and some acidic cleaners damage certain coatings. Even vinegar isn’t universally safe: some tap manufacturers specifically advise against it as it can damage chrome and other finishes. Scratches, flaking or a newly patchy finish are reasons to stop and check the product’s care instructions."
For routine cleaning, James says you should always follow the fitting manufacturer’s guidance and use a soft cloth. "Where a cleaner is permitted, follow its dilution and contact-time instructions, rinse thoroughly and dry afterwards. If you’ve used something unsuitable, rinse away the residue and ask the supplier about the damage before trying another product. Cleaning cannot restore a coating that has been stripped away; you may need a replacement component or a new bathroom tap, with fitting costs on top.”
James is a qualified plumber and director at Sanctuary Bathrooms, a family-run bathroom retailer based in Leeds. He oversees its marketing and operations. His plumbing training and bathroom retail experience inform his practical advice on choosing, caring for and maintaining bathroom fittings.
5. Dropping unsuitable cleaning blocks into the cistern
It's not just cleaning sprays that can be troublesome – according to James Roberts, loo cleaning blocks placed in the cistern may also cause damage. "Some bleach or chlorine products can damage internal components, while fragments from cleaning blocks can interfere with the flush-valve seal," he tells us.
"Signs there's an issue include water continuing to trickle into the pan after flushing, or the cistern repeatedly refilling when nobody has used it. Those symptoms can have other causes, too, so they need checking rather than guessing at."
"If a toilet flush problem develops, stop using the unsuitable product and have any remaining block removed safely, then get the valve and seals inspected," he says. "Sometimes replacing a seal is enough; otherwise the valve may need replacing. Faulty cistern-valve replacement typically costs anywhere between £50-£300 plus VAT, depending on the mechanism and access. A leaking toilet also wastes water and can increase a metered bill.”
6. Pouring neat bleach down the toilet to ‘clean’ it
This is something I've definitely been guilty of, especially just before I leave the house for the day as I feel it will have all day to work and make my loo basin brighter. But according to Julie Gokce, Senior Bathroom Expert at More Bathrooms , it's a total no-no.
"Neat bleach left sitting in the bowl attacks the rubber seals, washers and plastic components inside the cistern and flush valve. Over time, these become brittle, crack and start leaking, often within a year in homes where bleach is used weekly," she says.
“The telltale signs are a toilet that won't stop running, a weak flush, or water pooling at the base. A simple repair, replacing the flush valve and seals, usually costs £80-£150, but if the leak has damaged flooring or caused damp, remedial work can run to £300-£800.
“The fix here is to use toilet cleaner designed for the job, or dilute bleach heavily and never leave it sitting," advises Julie. "If damage is done, replacing the internal components is a quick job and far cheaper than ignoring it.”
Julie brings over 40 years of expertise in the kitchen and bathroom design world to her role at More Bathrooms. Though holding a diverse array of roles during that time, her passion for design has been her guiding light, always leading her back to her true love: crafting bespoke and innovative designs. A true family-run business, Passmore Group is home of More Bathrooms, More Ability, More Kitchens, More Bedrooms and More Build, and was established in 1965. With a history now spanning more than half a century, Passmore is the region's most trusted and experienced full service home improvement companies.
7. Ignoring a dripping tap
Whether it's just a case of you not turning it off properly, or a tap that still lets out water when fully closed, a persistent drip wastes water and can cause more damage the longer its neglected.
“A dripping tap feels harmless, until it's been staining your basin for months," says Julie Gokce. "More seriously, a leaking waste pipe under the sink can rot the cabinet base before you even notice."
“The signs are easy to miss, like a musty smell in the cabinet, warped wood, or water stains on the shelf," she continues. "A dripping tap repair is usually £60-£120 including parts. If a leak has rotted the cabinet or floor, replacement and repair can cost £300-£800."
“It's worth checking under your sink every few months for drips or damp patches and sorting small leaks straight away," says Julie. "Also, a £5 washer now can save you hundreds later.”
"The longer it's left, the more likely the whole tap will need replacing, whereas if you notice it early, you'll likely pay just an hour's labour, plus the cost of a replacement washer or cartridge," adds Neil Lampton.
8. Leaving water sitting on bathroom furniture
This is one of James Powell's biggest pet peeves. "Splashes left around the basin or on cabinet fronts gradually damage timber-based bathroom furniture, particularly where water reaches joints or exposed edges," he says.
"Heavy condensation can contribute, too. Swollen edges, lifting finishes or distorted panels are warning signs. The repair may involve replacing a door or panel; more extensive damage can mean replacing the unit and paying to disconnect and reconnect the basin."
To be on the safe side, wipe splashes dry immediately and always use the best bathroom extractor fan when showering to limit condensation. "If damage has started, stop the source of wetting and ask the supplier whether individual parts are available," says James. "Drying the surface won’t necessarily repair swollen material, and painting over it is unlikely to solve the underlying problem.”
9. Not wiping down your shower screen
Another place where you don't want to let water rest unattended is your shower screen. "Not only can it leave limescale marks that become hard to shift, it also drips down and collects around silicone sealant," says Neil Lampton.
"If your bathroom ventilation isn’t good enough, these areas can stay damp," he adds, "creating the right conditions for mould growth."
While we already know the issues damaged silicone can cause, replacing a cloudy shower screen or enclosure with damaged shower-door tracks is also an expensive business.
Cleaning a shower screen needn't be a huge chore – it's more a case of getting into a good routine. "Keep a squeegee in the shower and wipe down the screen after every use," advises Neil. "Wipe away water collecting in corners and door tracks, clean regularly and use the extractor fan to help the area dry. Also, regularly lean the screen with a limescale remover, or try white vinegar and warm water."
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A good shower cleaning routing starts with a squeegee – and you can rely on OXO to deliver a quality, long-lasting design. This one is stainless steel and has a suction cup so you can store it to hand nearby
Aside from the squeegee, having an everyday cleaner like this Lakeland spray will keep soap scum and mildew from building up. It has a lovely floral fragrance, too
Take your routine seriously with this pro protector spray by HG. It will keep your screen free of scale and , and can also be used on tiles, plastic shower trays, ceramic baths, sinks and chrome taps
10. Letting limescale build up on your shower head
Our final bad habit is a biggie – ignoring those tell-tale crusty deposits deposits gathering on your shower nozzle. Suddenly, your 'rainfall' shower experience is more like a drizzle, but that's not all.
"Limescale is a hard, chalky deposit left behind by minerals in water," says Neil Lampton. "If you let it build up it will block showerhead nozzles and restrict water flow, which could end up in you having to fork out on a new shower part."
Removing limescale from your shower head may resolve the problem without a professional repair. "Wipe it dry after every use, and clean it regularly with a suitable limescale remover to prevent deposits building up," says Neil. "If your shower head is removable, you may be able to soak it in a descaling solution. But if a plumber is needed, charges start from one hour’s labour, plus any replacement parts."
FAQs
Aside from plumbing, what else can be damaged by bad bathroom etiquette?
You might not need a plumber in these cases, but nevertheless, these ruinous routines could end up causing costly damage.
We'll start with one I'm always nagging about in my own home – damp towels left in a heap on the bathroom floor. "They can traps moisture against the floor, which can encourage mould growth on the surface beneath it," says Neil Lampton. "This might stain grout and let mould form, meaning cleaning or worse, a regrouting job for you."
Next up, the curse of the pesky shower curtain. Now I've not had to live with one of these for years, but if you do, make sure you never leave it outside the bath. "Doing so causes water runs down the curtain onto the bathroom floor instead of back into the bath," says Neil. "This repeated wetting can allow water through gaps around flooring, bath edges or damaged seals, potentially affecting the floor beneath and the ceiling below."
So make sure you wrangle your curtain into the bath every time every time you shower. And afterwards, spread it out along the rail so it can dry properly, rather than leaving it bunched together.
Feeling like your neglected bathroom needs some love? Let these bathroom trends inspire your next makeover. Not got much to spend? Here are some budget ideas that will help you cut costs on a bathroom makeover.
