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Limescale is a major issue in most households that have a shower or bathtub. If you’ve experienced limescale build-up yourself, you are likely to experience problems with your water systems as well. When left unchecked, it can lead to clogged pipes and even wasted energy because of the inefficiency of your hot water usage. Being able to prevent limescale build-up from causing these problems in the first place is key.
In this article, we will show you the best way to remove limescale build-up from your appliances. We will also provide you with effective tips on how to prevent limescale problems in the future.
Limescale, a mineral that appears as a white, chalky substance, is alkaline in nature, and forms on the surface of your plumbing systems and kitchen appliances. In most cases, it forms when hard water combines with the components of soap. It’s easy to identify these deposits because they turn the appearance of most water systems and appliances ugly by leaving stains on them.
People living in environments with hard water encounter limescale problems frequently. The build-up happens so fast and may become hard and challenging to deal with over time. At this level, limescale can greatly affect the efficiency of pipes and household items.
South Florida is notorious for having hard water. According to the United States Geological Survey, water is considered hard at 121 mg/L and extremely hard at 180 mg/L. The average water hardness in South Florida is between 155 mg/L and 300 mg/L.
Pro Tip: If you have hard water, consider installing a water softener. The average water softener removes 4,000 grains of hardness per every one pound of salt used.
Are you having trouble removing limescale from your plumbing systems?
Here are our easy but effective tips to help you:
Vinegar and baking powder is effective in removing limescale build-up in pipes. While using this method, you will need approximately two gallons of white vinegar and a cup of baking soda for each drain.
Before using the solution, ensure that you empty your pipes first. After this, put the baking soda in each pipe, followed by the vinegar. Allow it to settle for about three hours, before running cold water in the drains.
A mixture of lemon and vinegar can be useful in removing limescale from your bathtubs, kitchenware, sinks, and tiles.
For this procedure, mix equal amounts of lemon and vinegar and spray the solution on the discolored surfaces. Let it settle for about 3-4 hours, and then finish the process by wiping and rinsing the areas.
Coca-Cola doesn’t just quench your thirst; it can also act as a powerful cleaning agent. Do you have limescale build-up in your toilet bowl? Coca-Cola can help you solve your problem. The high amount of phosphoric acid found in Coke makes it an effective rust and limescale eliminator.
For this method, pour a can of Coca-Cola into your toilet bowl, let it settle for 15 to 30 minutes, and then flush the toilet. Voila! The bowl of your porcelain throne has never been cleaner!
While it is good to have limescale removal tips, knowing how to prevent mineral build-up is even better.
Here are ways to keep limescale build-up from your plumbing:
Like we mentioned above, you can use softeners to remove dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium from hard water. The substance is available in different forms, including gel, powder, and tablets. Softeners work by replacing the positively charged magnesium and calcium components with sodium and potassium elements.
The eliminated components are then discharged into the drain. This process reduces the hardness of water, thereby preventing the formation of limescale deposits in water systems and household items.
Water filtration systems play a vital role in the water cleaning process and can also be useful to prevent limescale build-up. A water filter is simply a combination of replaceable cartridges that you can install on faucets and taps.
Filters help to soften hard water by removing the highly concentrated magnesium and calcium contents. You can inquire from a plumbing expert near you about the water filter installation process.
A water descaler is a system that you can install on your main water supply. It works by binding hard water minerals together, rather than eliminating them. With a descaler system, you can enjoy the benefits of drinking the different water minerals while keeping limescale away.
Limescale build-up can be a nuisance, and an ugly one at that. Apart from spending a lot of time and resources to remove it, it can also ruin your water systems and cause a host of plumbing problems. With our tips, you can easily prevent limescale from forming on different surfaces of your home.With that being said, some hard water scales can be too hard to remove. This is where our experts come in. Contact Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric for more help on hard water scales removal procedures and solutions to prevent limescale build-ups in the future.
