Limescale—What Is It And How Do You Remove It?
Have you ever noticed a chalky, white substance on your plumbing fixtures or in your tub or shower? This build-up is called limescale, and it is caused by hard water.
As a tenant, you are responsible for keeping your residential rental clean and well-maintained. As part of your Tenancy Agreement, undertaking minor repairs and maintenance to the property includes helping remove limescale.
You may think that removing limescale seems like too much trouble but in fact, it is fairly simple to do. Of course, you can call a contractor to do it but this will likely cost £80 upwards.
The video and the steps below are a basic guide that will help explain what limescale is, what causes it, where it commonly occurs, how to remove it, and how to prevent it from coming back.
What Is Limescale?
Limescale is a chalky white substance that is composed of calcium carbonate and other minerals.
It can develop in items and surfaces that come in contact with hard water like faucets, toilets, shower heads, glass shower doors, and tiles. Limescale is not harmful to your health, but it can be unsightly and difficult to remove once it has built up.
What Causes Limescale?
Limescale is caused by hard water. Hard water contains high levels of minerals such as magnesium and calcium. When hard water comes into contact with soap, the soap reacts with the minerals to form a scaly substance called soap scum.
Hard water also reacts with the materials used to build plumbing fixtures such as pipes and faucets. Over time, this reaction results in a build-up of limescale on these surfaces.
Where Does Limescale Regularly Occur?
Limescale most often occurs in areas of your home where hard water is present such as the kitchen and bathroom.
In the kitchen, limescale can build up on your faucets, sink, and appliances such as your coffee maker or dishwasher. In the bathroom, limescale can build up on your toilet bowl, shower head, faucet handles, shower doors and dividers, and tiles.
Steps For Removing Limescale
Limescale can be removed by using distilled white vinegar If you want to remove limescale from your taps or showerhead, there are a few simple steps you can follow:
- You have the option of using pure distilled white vinegar or mixing three parts vinegar with one part water.
Either way, pour the vinegar (or vinegar solution) into a spray bottle. Alternatively, you take a large bowl, pour the vinegar there and soak the things affected by limescale.
- For surfaces, tiles, or fixtures, spray the vinegar solution onto the affected surface and leave it for 15 to 20 minutes.
- For removable items like showerheads and taps, place them in the bowl with the vinegar and leave them for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Next, use a sponge or a short stiff brush to scrub away the limescale deposits.
- For kettles, pots, and the like, you have the option of pouring some of the vinegar in, heating them to boiling, then setting them aside and letting them cool. Once cool, scrub the limescale away.
- Finally, rinse the area or item with clean water.
- For more stubborn buildup, you may need to repeat this process several times until all the limescale is gone.
How Do You Prevent Limescale Build-Up?
Ideally, the best way to prevent limescale build-up is to install a water softener in your home. A water softener removes minerals from hard water, making it easier on your plumbing fixtures and appliances and preventing limescale buildup.
If you do not have a water softener, you can still prevent limescale buildup by regularly cleaning your fixtures with the white vinegar solution.
Keep Limescale At Bay By Keeping Your Home Clean
While limescale is not harmful to your health, it can be unsightly and difficult to remove once it has built up. Also, if left to accumulate, it can lessen the efficiency of pipes, and block showers and taps.
Using these steps, you should be able to remove limescale, but if you find that removing it has not been successful, please contact us on 01522503717 and we will be able to send out a contractor. However, if the repair needed falls under your responsibility as a tenant then you will be charged for the work.
Reminder That You May Be Charged - Where our contractor has arranged a time with you to attend and you postpone, cancel, or don't show up or where it is your fault for the appointment not proceeding you will be responsible for paying the call-out charge for the contractor and potentially any restocking fee for parts. Where the fault, issue or damage, is put down to your or other tenants, permitted occupiers, or guests' actions, you will be responsible for paying for the repair. These terms are already part of your Tenancy Agreement.