If you live in an area with hard water, you may be dealing with limescale accumulation in your plumbing. Although there are several issues related to limescale, common problems include furring, descaling, and scum.
All of these problems can negatively affect the condition of your plumbing system, the functionality of your plumbed appliances, and even the cleanliness of your tap water. At Steve’s Plumbing & Heating, we may be able to help you with the removal of limescale in your pipes with our comprehensive drain cleaning and maintenance services.
But when you have hard water, keeping your plumbing system in good condition is up to you, too. If you don’t take measures to care for your pipes, you could end up dealing with drips, leaks, and household water damage.
Read on to learn what limescale can do to your pipes over time and what you can do to help control scale buildup in your plumbing system.
What Is Limescale?
Limescale is the chalky, off-white crust that lurks inside your kettle and boiler and stains your surfaces. This crusty buildup is a deposit of calcium carbonate and a residue left behind by hard water.
If left untreated, limescale can accumulate and cause numerous problems in your plumbing system. And if the buildup gets bad, a professional plumber will need to clean out the limescale and restore your plumbing back to normal.
Although it’s visible in some places, limescale can be hidden and hard to see in other areas. That’s why it’s so important to do whatever you can — aside from using chemical drain cleaners — to stop it from accumulating.
What Is Hard Water?
The leading cause of limescale is hard water, which has a high concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind mineral deposits, which accumulate quickly, first creating a chalky film that morphs into a solid, hard crust over time.
These deposits not only build up inside pipes but also inside water-using appliances. Over time, they can interfere with water flow and appliance function.
Although many homeowners in Central Wisconsin deal with hard water, there are several ways to prevent it from damaging pipes and plumbed appliances. And luckily, those strategies aren’t difficult to implement.
Areas Where Hard Water and Limescale Exist
When hard water enters your plumbing system, limescale accumulation starts to develop almost immediately.
When a Steve’s Plumbing & Heating technician visits your home, we look for limescale in the following areas:
● Toilets
● Taps
● Bathroom and kitchen tiles
● Sinks
● Showers
● Pipes
● Washing machine
● Dishwasher
If we find considerable buildup, we can remove it with high-pressure water jetting, provided your pipes are in good condition.
But if your plumbing system is old and compromised, we can perform plumbing repairs to restore any damaged components to functional condition.
Problems That Limescale Can Cause
Although it is not always possible to link limescale and associated plumbing problems, we can determine if you have hard water in your home and then take it from there. No matter what is causing the limescale, our priority is to flush it out of your system.
With thorough cleaning, we can eradicate limescale buildup and alleviate several associated issues, including blockages, contamination, and damage.
Blockage
Limescale covers taps, sinks, and hard surfaces with a chalky, white substance. If you neglect the problem, it will eventually clog pipes, drains, and fixtures.
Contamination
If you discover chalky-white flakes floating in your tea, coffee, or other water-based drinks, there is limescale in your plumbing. If the water is contaminated, it is no longer potable.
Damage
Limescale can invade your washing machine, dishwasher, heating elements, pipes, and machines or plumbing components. It can affect machine performance or corrode parts. It can also eat through pipes and cause drips and leaks.
How To Handle Limescale Deposits
If you discover limescale buildup or simply want to take measures to prevent it from showing up in the first place, here’s what you can do.
Clean With Borax
If you find limescale in your toilet or shower, you’ll need more than elbow grease to get it off. And Borax (aka boric acid) can help you get the job done.
To remove limescale using this method, you’ll need to:
1. In a bowl or bucket, mix equal parts Borax and white vinegar to make a paste.
2. Apply the paste to the limescale deposit and let it sit for 30-60 minutes, so it can start breaking down the minerals.
3. Use a scouring pad or abrasive brush (and some elbow grease) to scrub the area until the limescale is gone. If you’re cleaning a toilet, you can try using a toilet brush, but it may not be tough enough to get the job done.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
A simple vinegar-baking-soda paste can help dissolve limescale, and chances are you have both of these things already in your pantry!
To remove film or deposits, you’ll need to:
1. Wet a scouring pad and sprinkle baking soda on it.
2. Scrub the deposit with the baking soda, which is abrasive enough to remove the minerals without damaging the surface they’re stuck to.
3. If you need to clean limescale from a toilet, first drain the toilet bowl and then pour equal parts white vinegar and baking soda into it. Give the bowl a quick scrub and then let the solution sit for several hours. Thoroughly scrub the bowl and then flush the toilet to rinse and refill it.
Install a Water Softener
After you remove limescale deposits or hire our team to tackle the job, investing in a water softener is the best thing you can do to prevent further problems.
Not only will a softener help keep your pipes in good condition but it’ll also help improve the performance and extend the life of your plumbed appliances.
Schedule Drain Cleaning and Plumbing Repair in Wisconsin Rapids
If your plumbing system is suffering from limescale buildup, contact our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating for help. We specialize in plumbing repair and drain maintenance and can advise you on how to prevent further limescale accumulation in your pipes.
To get an estimate or schedule service, call us today at 715-421-1800 or request an estimate online, and we’ll get in touch!