How To Remove Mineral Deposits Ftrom Faucets & Showerheads
Hard water is water that has a high level of dissolved minerals. While these minerals are harmless to human health, they can cause all sorts of problems for your home plumbing system. One of the most common issues is a build-up of white mineral deposits on faucets and shower heads.
These deposits are not only unsightly, but they can also cause the fixture to underperform. Maybe it is a sink that has a weak flow or a shower that used to have great pressure, but now runs slow. Either way, you are probably ready to fix this issue. Fortunately, this is a plumbing problem that can be fixed without much of a hassle.
Removing Mineral Deposits
If it is just mineral deposits on the outside of the faucet or showerhead, but no problems with water flow, you can clean them up easily and without having to remove any part of the fixture. All you’ll need is a plastic bag, some vinegar, a rubber band and a toothbrush.
Pour some vinegar into the plastic bag and fit it over the fixture so the parts with mineral deposits are fully submerged and secure the bag in place with the rubber band. Let it soak for about an hour and a half and then come back and remove the bag. You can then scrub the mineral deposits off using the toothbrush.
While this method can work for removing mineral deposits from the exterior of the fixture, it will not work as well for a fixture that is clogged with the deposits. If it is clogged, you will need to remove the mineral deposits that have built up on the inside.
If it is a sink, you will need to remove the aerator from the tip of the faucet head. If it cannot be unscrewed by hand, try wrapping it in a towel and then turning it with a pair of pliers. For the showerhead, you should be able to turn that loose with a pair of pliers.
Once you have the showerhead or aerator removed, place it in a warm mixture of about half vinegar and half water. Leave it in there for about 5-6 hours to let it soak. After soaking for a few hours, the deposits should have loosened up and left the fixture. Clean it off and reinstall the aerator or showerhead. When you turn it on, the water should be flowing freely.
While cleaning these fixtures is relatively simple, you might want to consider installing a water softener to reduce the mineral content in your lines. This will prevent the need to repeatedly clean the mineral content off your fixtures, and it can also be a step toward preventing damage to parts of your plumbing system.
