Have you noticed a chalky, white and green substance on your water faucets and showerheads around your home? If you answered yes, then you may have a limescale problem. Limescale is found in metal pipes, pumps, filters, kettles and on the inside of hot water heaters that are inadequately maintained. These mineral deposits of calcium carbonate can affect your pipes and the outer appearance of household plumbing fixtures.
What causes limescale?
Limescale is caused by minerals in your water such as calcium, magnesium and iron, commonly known as hard water. Hard water makes it difficult to lather soap together and form suds. This can leave your skin feeling itchy and uncomfortable after washing your clothes in hard water. Dishes are left with residual stains from hard water after they dry.
When hard water starts to evaporate, the minerals left behind solidify and create a visual white, chalky substance known as limescale. Limescale affects all water appliances in and around your home. If it is left untreated it can clog your pipes. With a water softening system in place, this will help prevent limescale build-up and make your job around the home much easier.
Limescale removal
When you have limescale in your home you can treat it through water softening. Water softening is a common method to treat hard water by adding sodium to the water to help balance out the minerals in the water supply.
On the household fixtures, you can remove the white, chalky stains with vinegar. Vinegar is effectively used because it effortlessly dissolves the limescale residues left on faucets, showerheads and other household appliances. You can use distilled white vinegar to assist you in the cleaning process. Use a paper towel or cloth to help you remove the stains. For harder to remove limescale areas you can soak some vinegar for 30 minutes and then scrub the affected area. Think creatively when trying to remove certain limescale affected areas that are harder to reach. With faucets you can fill up a zip lock bag with some vinegar and then wrap it around the faucet with a secured rubber band. You can also try leaving a vinegar-soaked rag around the area to help dissolve the limescale, depending upon how severe the build-up is.
When to call a plumber
If limescale is a problem in your home it’s time to find a water softening system to help prevent mineral build-up on your fixtures and inside of your pipes. Reach out to a professional plumber to get your water tested. Call your local Brevard County plumber at Sun Plumbing serving Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Viera at (321) 725-2460.
