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Plumbing problems don’t arise suddenly, and it’s only when the little issues morph into something substantial that people notice.
So, to keep your fixtures and pipes in top condition, regular maintenance is essential while keeping an eye out for the tell-tale signs of trouble. If you are vigilant, you will notice some appliances and structures developing a white coating that sets into a solid mass over time when left untreated.
This is limescale and affects the smooth functioning of hot water systems, kitchen appliances, pipes and bathroom fixtures over time.
To remove limescale deposits from plumbing fixtures, try scrubbing them with vinegar and baking soda. You can also try other household items such as lemon and Coca-Cola. But we will explain this more in our guide. So, if you want to know how to prevent limescale buildup and remove deposits, let’s begin!
If you have seen a hard white crust form around household appliances, like taps and faucets, you have a limescale problem. Limescale consists of calcium carbonate, an alkaline residue of hard water.
You will find that hard water is rich in dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, which results in white, lumpy deposits around plumbing systems when the water evaporates. If you don’t remove limescale quickly, this chalky-looking substance can affect the water supply and the normal functioning of household appliances.
A substantial limescale build-up is expensive and challenging to remove at home or in commercial settings. That’s why you need to spot the early signs of mineral deposits and use the following techniques for smooth removal.
Hot water heaters, washing machines, hot water pipes, other appliances that use water, and small electrical machines are susceptible to limescale stains. Often, people find a white calcium carbonate coating in their dishwashers, kettles, coffee makers, pans, and pots.
Other areas regularly exposed to water and showing limescale deposition include pipes, kitchen fixtures, tiled surfaces, bathroom fittings, and grout.
You can follow the steps mentioned in this section to remove limescale and ensure all appliances are in perfect working condition.
A solution of white vinegar and hot water is one of the most effective techniques for removing limescale from several affected areas. All you need to do is change the proportion of white vinegar and water depending on the appliance you are cleaning.
For cleaning coffee makers and kettles, mix equal parts of water and white vinegar or lemon juice. In some cases, such as when cleaning decanters, jars, glassware or lustreless jugs, it’s important to let the glassware soak throughout the night. Then rinse the vinegar or lemon juice solution in the morning, and you should find the pots and pans shiny.
To clean them from the inside, fill the appliances with the same mixture and allow them to simmer for 15 mins before rinsing them with a soft sponge and fresh water.
You can use this mixture to clean a shower screen by mixing vinegar and water in a 1:3 combination. But it would be best to remove the dirt and grime with an old toothbrush before applying the cleaning solution to get the best results.
Let the solution rest for an hour, pouring glass cleaner over it and wiping the surface with a clean microfiber cloth.
Instead of using a heavy-duty chemical cleaner for limescale removal, we recommend mixing vinegar and baking soda. This mixture is most effective for cleaning the plumbing system and removing mineral deposits within the piping system.
Mix 8 litres of white vinegar with a cup of baking soda for every drainage system. But before that, it’s important to empty the pipes, so carefully flush the toilet bowl and pour the baking soda into the drains. Then, slowly pour the vinegar and allow the mixture to rest for 3-4 hours.
After that, gently pour boiling water down the drain to remove the harsh chemicals, soap, and grease residue.
Lemon and soda bicarbonate is an organic mixture that helps eliminate limescale buildup from shower heads, hot water heaters, and other bathroom or kitchen appliances. You need to mix these 2 components to create a paste and use its abrasive properties to eliminate plumbing problems.
Gently scrub the affected area and wipe dry with a clean paper towel to clean the limescale. You can also dip components like a faucet aerator into a cap containing lemon juice for stubborn stains and leave it overnight.
Coca-Cola comes in handy for removing hard water deposits from a toilet bowl, so all you need to do is pour it into the bowl and let it rest. Since Coca-Cola contains large amounts of phosphoric acid, it helps remove limescale while acting as a rust remover.
You can dilute lemon or vinegar and add it to a spray bottle containing water in equal proportion. For the best results, the mixture should feature a 50:50 concentration, which proves useful for cleaning limescale from tiles, shower bases, sinks, bathtubs, etc.
Allow the solution to rest, and scrub some soda if needed before wiping the surface with a clean cloth.
If nothing else works, you use mild commercial detergents for the washing machine or dishwasher to remove limescale deposits. But when looking for eco-friendly alternatives, we recommend adding lemon juice and running the appliance on a regular cycle.
While removing limescale is one option, it would be best to prevent limescale build-up in the first place.
To reduce the chances of malfunctioning appliances or clogged plumbing fixtures, you can install a water softener to prevent stains and mineral deposits. Any modern water softener is compatible with all plumbing systems and provides a cost-effective solution instead of an expensive descaler system.
You can add salt to the water tank or use a catalytic water conditioning device. These units change the structure and arrangement of the molecules to prevent limescale while maintaining a consistent water pressure through the pipes or heating elements.
Having trouble with your plumbing? Talk to our expert Gold Coast plumbers today! With a vast array of plumbing services, we are confident we have the best solution for your problem. From limescale issues to burst pipes – we are just a call away.
