Are your faucets no longer shiny and metallic looking? Do they have a white, filmy layer around the edges?
This is most likely to be calcium buildup, also called limescale, and is caused by hard water. Much of the DFW area tends to have hard water and growth tends to occur unless a water softener is installed in a home or business. Not only is the calcium unsightly, but it can cause clogs and water won’t flow as well from faucets and shower heads.
Jerry’s Plumbing & Heating has a few recommendations for removing that unsightly calcium buildup. You’ve got 3 options for safe DIY calcium buildup removal:
- Vinegar
- Lemon Juice
- CLR
Any one of these methods should work for you. There is no need to try all 4 methods to remove calcium.
Use Vinegar to Remove Calcium From Faucets
You can put white distilled vinegar into a plastic bag. Wrap that around your faucet or shower head and tie it on with a rubber band. Let it sit overnight. In the morning, run water to flush out the excess calcium and wipe off the calcium from the outside of the faucet with a cloth or sponge.
Another option is to soak a hand towel in white distilled vinegar and wrap that around the faucet or shower head. Again, let it sit overnight and then flush with water in the morning.
Use Lemon Juice to Remove Calcium from Faucets
Like vinegar, lemon is acidic and can dissolve calcium buildup and is another natural and safe solution. You can cut a fresh lemon in half and open up to the center of the lemon. Then push the lemon onto the edge of the faucet. Then wrap a plastic bag around the lemon and secure it with a rubber band.
Another option is to just buy some lemon juice, and do just like you would with vinegar and fill a plastic bag, wrap it around the faucet or shower head secured with a rubber band, and let it sit overnight.
Same with the vinegar, you’ll leave your lemon or lemon juice overnight and flush water in the morning and scrub the faucet exterior with a sponge or cloth.
Use CLR to Remove Calcium from Faucets
CLR is a product used to remove calcium, lime, and rust; the CLR stands for “calcium, lime, and rust”. CLR is phosphate-free and septic safe.
You will need to use CLR in a well-ventilated area. Do not mix with bleach or other household cleaners. Do not leave it on the faucet or shower head for longer than 2 minutes.
You can apply CLR directly to your faucet or showerhead. You will combine equal parts CLR and warm water. Find an area to test the CLR before you apply it to an entire surface.
Call Jerry’s Plumbing, Heating & Welding for Serious Clogs
If you’ve got heavy-duty deposits causing major plumbing problems, get in touch with a professional plumber at Jerry’s Plumbing, Heating & Welding today!
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