Hard water is the culprit of many plumbing problems. It can contain high amounts of dissolved minerals, including calcium and magnesium. Some of those calcium and magnesium minerals can get left behind as water flows through your pipes. Those minerals can build up over time, causing unattractive stains and scaling.
Hard water buildup in your toilet can be one of the most obvious signs. A white or rust-colored ring forming at the waterline or staining at the base of the bowl may appear. In more extreme cases, limescale and calcium accumulation can plug the water jets under the toilet rim, resulting in slow, weak flushes.
Cleaning with Acids or Vinegar
Vinegar or other acidic cleaners can be used to clean calcium buildup out of your toilet. The acid aids in breaking down the deposits so you can scrub them away. Of course when working with these types of cleaners its always best to take the necessary safety precautions. Be sure to open the windows for fresh air and wear gloves.
Toilet Bowl Cleaning
When removing limescale from the toilet bowl, pay attention to the water jets below the rim, the waterline and the base of the bowl. These areas can each be prone to mineral buildup.
Step 1: Remove Water From the Bowl
In most cases, your cleaning solution will work better if undiluted when removing water from your toilet bowl. Use a plunger to force water out of the u-bend to remove water from a toilet bowl.
Another way to empty water from the tank is by turning off the toilet’s water valve (located near the floor). Flush the toilet a few times. This will empty water in the bowl as well as the tank. The toilet won’t refill when the valve is turned off.
Step 2: Make use of your cleaning solution
Add your cleaner onto the affected area and give it time to work. If you use a vinegar solution, you may need to wait a couple of hours for the vinegar to dissolve the hard calcium buildup.
Step 3: Use a firm bristled scrub brush
Use a toilet brush or a scouring pad to scrub the limescale away once your solution has had time to work. (Do not use metal scraping or sandpaper as they will scratch the porcelain finish, which can lead to faster staining and buildup.)
Step 4: Water jet cleaning
To clean calcium out of the under-rum jets you can use a foam paintbrush to apply your cleaning solution around and into each jet. Press the solution into each jet. Once you’ve let it set for a while, use a stiff bristled brush to scrub the jet clean. To help clear sediment out of the jets you can also use a small wooden skewer.
Future limescale buildup prevention
The cleaning process only lasts temporarily. Also remember that using highly acidic cleaners do a great job to clean up the calcium but exposing these harsh chemicals to your fixtures on a regular basis can also do their own harm over time. To avoid unattractive limescale and calcium buildup in the future without having to go through the harsh cleaning process, consider installing a water softener.
Water softeners provide a long-term, cost-effective way to avoid calcium buildup once and for all. Water softeners turn hard water into soft water by removing calcium and other minerals from water. No more scaling inside your toilets, pipes, or other fixtures!
That means your appliances will last longer – and look good longer – without a lot of costly products and time-consuming cleaning. On top of that, many individuals find that soft water is easier on their hair and skin. Overall, soft water can be healthier for you, your family, and your home.
If you’re tired of calcium buildup in your home, contact us and we’ll connect you with a local water specialist. They can make an appointment to visit your home to do on-site water testing and design the ideal water treatment system for your household.