Limescale is a common nuisance in areas with hard water problems. Limescale refers to the mineral deposits that are found in hard water. Hard water is water with above-average concentration of various minerals including iron, magnesium, and calcium. Limescale appears as a white or green chalky residue in or on plumbing fixtures and appliances. Limescale is not harmful to the body. But the main problem with water with limestone is that it has an unpleasant taste. The rich mineral deposits also prevent lather from forming properly and also the water from rinsing properly. This means that if you use water with limescale to bathe or wash clothes, then they will neither wash well nor rinse properly. Your skin will be left all dry and itchy and your clothes will be stiff and scratchy. Limescale buildup in your faucets, showerheads, and pipe joints leaves ugly spots on these fixtures and pipes and it can also cause clogging if not removed. That is why we have decided to teach you how to prevent and remove limescale from your water.
How To Prevent Limescale
As the old adage goes, protection is better than cure. You should always try to prevent plumbing problems before they occur. In the case of limescale, a water softening system will do the trick. If you realize that you have a hard water problem, you do not have to wait for the limescale to clog your fixtures and pipes so that you can call a professional DC drain and sewer plumber. You can call a professional plumber immediately and have a water softening system installed in your house. All the clean water will pass through this system and the limescale will be removed. These water softening systems contain sodium-based solutions that neutralize the damaging effects of limescale buildup in your fixtures and pipe joints. The water comes out all clean and fresh and it’s now limescale-free so you can use it to drink, bathe, and wash clothes properly.
How To Remove Limescale
If prevention fails, you can always opt for the cure. If limescale has already pervaded your house and your taps, showerheads, and pipe joints are all chalky and clogged, then you need to deal with it accordingly. You need to remove the limescale buildup from your taps, showerheads, pipes, and other fixtures using one of two ways.
Use Vinegar
Limescale is very stubborn and it can’t be removed by an ordinary detergent and a wet rag. It needs to be weakened and dissolved in a mild acidic solution. Vinegar is one of the most effective chemicals for removing limescale. All the affected faucets, showerheads, pipes, and other fixtures should be removed and dipped in vinegar for an hour or so. You should then remove them and scrub the affected areas vigorously with a brush or an old toothbrush. You will be able to remove all limescale buildup inside and outside your pipes and fixtures using this method. If you can’t detach or remove the affected fixtures, then you can put some vinegar in a plastic bag and tie it around the affected parts of your fixtures. Let it sit for about an hour and then start scrubbing.
Use A Chemical Cleaning Solution
You can also use a chemical cleaning solution to remove limescale buildup from your plumbing fixtures. Choose a commercial detergent formulated for calcium, rust, and lime removal.