If you have limescale, the signs are easy to spot: deposits that look like a white crust or chalk on your plumbing fixtures and appliances. A hallmark of hard water, unaddressed limescale can do some serious (and expensive) damage. Limescale can block pipes and faucets, reduce your water pressure, and lead to frequent repairs or replacement of your appliances. Even worse, limescale can have an impact on your health too, leading to dull hair and irritation of sensitive skin. Luckily, you can safely and easily remove and prevent limescale at home.
What is Limescale?
Limescale is the residue left behind from hard water. Hard water is rich in minerals and salts, while soft water has been “softened” and had highly concentrated minerals removed. After hard water stands and evaporates, the minerals it contains stay behind. These dissolved minerals solidify and form the limescale and stains you see on your appliances and in your pipes.
How to Remove Limescale
If you can see visible signs of limescale buildup in your kitchen, bathroom, and pipes, you can remove the limescale deposits with some items you might already have in the house. Mildly acidic solutions are your best option for removal.
- To remove limescale on your shower head, faucet, tiles, and other smooth surfaces use a mildly acidic mixture of lemon juice or vinegar with water.
- You can also create a homemade cleaning paste (one cup of water plus three tablespoons of baking powder) to clean taps and faucets.
- For your toilet, pour 4 cups of vinegar into the bowl, and allow it to sit overnight without anyone using it. In the morning, scrub the dirt away.
- Regularly flush kettles or coffeemakers with a mix of vinegar and water.
- Remove limescale from your washing machine via a softener tablet.
How to Prevent Limescale
- Install a water softener. A water softener treats your water before it gets to appliances or taps and removes the minerals that cause limescale. Even better, softened water will help appliances like your dishwasher and laundry machine run more efficiently.
- Use a water filter. A water filter can remove unwanted minerals that are found in hard water. You can install water filters on faucets or taps and filter mineral and salt content from your water.
- Install a magnetic water conditioner and descaler system. An electronic water conditioner can also prevent the formation of limescale via a whole-house system. This system treats water by magnetizing the water together and is a chemical-free option for treatment.
Limescale Prevention in Port St. Lucie
While you can treat limescale at home, you don’t want to continue dealing with the negative effects of hard water. Removing and preventing limescale today is much more affordable than replacing pipes and appliances due to buildup. The local plumbing experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can test your water and go over your options to prevent limescale and treat hard water. Our experienced plumbers can also install water softeners or other treatment options quickly and easily. Your water is in good hands with the experienced professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Contact us today to make limescale a thing of the past.