If you live in an area that has hard water, you might experience calcium buildup on your faucets. This happens when water sits on the faucet and evaporates. It leaves deposits of calcium and other mineral salts behind. Fortunately, there are some simple solutions for removing them from the outside of your faucets. You can eliminate calcium deposits with a few things you probably already have around the house.
Vinegar Solution
You can wrap a cloth soaked in vinegar around the faucet. Leave it in place for a few hours or overnight. This should break down any deposits.
Baking Soda Method
You can sprinkle the faucet with baking soda and then wipe it with vinegar. The fizzing action will help loosen the deposits.
Demineralizing Products
You can also find demineralizing products at the home improvement store. These are designed to remove minerals and hard water buildup from faucets.
You can use these methods to dissolve or loosen the deposits, and use an old toothbrush to remove any deposits that are stuck in the crevices. You might have to repeat these methods twice to remove all buildup. After applying these methods, wipe the faucet with a wet cloth to remove any remaining chemicals or vinegar, and then dry it thoroughly. If left on the faucet for an extensive time, they can damage the coating and cause the fixture to rust.
Is It Time for an Expert?
Removing mineral deposits from the outside of the faucet is easy, but if the deposits are in the pipes or internal parts of the faucet, the device will have to be disassembled and cleaned or replaced. If your faucet is giving you signs like a low flow or water jetting out from the sides, then it is a good sign that you have deposits on the inside, and it’s time to call an expert.
If you’re in Sparks, NV, or the surrounding area, turn to Gibson Plumbing & Mechanical for help. Besides handling the full range of plumbing issues, our team of trained professionals also installs, repairs and maintains heating and cooling systems. We serve both residential and commercial customers, and we’ve been doing it for over 30 years. To discuss any of these topics, call us today.
