Legionella

The risk of contracting legionella in the domestic home is minimal and most protection from legionella has to be undertaken by people actually living in the home and using the water systems.

There are some simple steps that you must take to help protect you and those in your home:

1. You have to turn your shower on and run it for a few minutes at least once a week, preferably more often than this, to flush out stale water.
2. You have to make sure that you dismantle, scrub and de-scale your showerheads and shower hoses at least once every 3 months or earlier if scaling is evident.  This is easily done by removing the shower hose and head and leaving it soaking for half an hour in white vinegar then scrubbing off any deposits. You should then rinse it in warm water to wash off the vinegar. If you need more details there are several videos online that give further detail.
3. If you have a spa type bath you have to make sure you clean it with appropriate approved chemicals at least once weekly.
4. You have to make sure that you run water through all the hot and cold water taps throughout your home on at least a weekly basis.
5. If you have an electric hot water tank you have to make sure that you are fully heating the water in it and then using the water immediately after at least 2-3 times per week.

These are very simple steps to help protect you in your home and minimise any exposure risk. These precautions are even more important if you are over 50 years of age or suffer from ill health.

If you would like more advice on this matter please contact a member of staff at our office to discuss or watch our short video.