How many times have you paid for a plumbing problem only to search on Google the next day to find one little piece of advice that could have saved you hundreds? Companies want their businesses to thrive and in order to do that, customers must keep paying for their services.
At All Clear Plumbing, we believe our customers deserve better than a basic Google search answer. We’re completely confident in our expert technicians and services, therefore, we’re willing to spill some of our best-kept secrets!
One cosmetic problem many of our customers face in and around Belleville, NJ, is hard water spots. However, damage done by hard water is often more than meets the eye. If not cleaned properly, hard water scale can destroy hot water heaters and cause pipes to clog.
The best way to prevent these problems is to invest in water softeners. Grab a pen and some paper because we’re about to reveal secrets on how to clean AND avoid hard water stains that can lead to costly repairs.
Dissolved Calcium + Magnesium = Hard Water
The U.S. Department of Interior and the Water Quality Association sets guidelines that determine how “hard” water really is.
The numbers mean nothing to someone who has no idea what hard water is and how it affects their home.
Hard water happens because the H2O in your home contains large amounts of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and limestone. It’s safe to use for drinking and clothes washing, but over time it can cause some pretty nasty stains and serious consequences.
Hard water typically appears as a thin film of rough powder on surfaces made of glass, plastic, and porcelain. When metal is involved, the high iron content can leave a red-tinted slime, and on brass and copper fixtures, the acidic ingredients in your water supply cause blue-green rust to develop. How can you clean hard water stains? A lot of it is simple chemistry!
Remedies for Cleaning Stains
An easy answer for cleaning stains made from hard water is through abrasive cleaners bought at stores.
Simple chemistry solutions containing a mixture of ammonia and dilution of vinegar can help avoid extra costs and provide a great mineral-fighting solution.
For example, pour some lemon juice into a spray bottle and lightly spray your tub, shower doors, sink, and faucets; let it stand and wipe it off. To completely eliminate the buildup, more than one application may be needed.
For toilet and tank cleaning, pour a few cups of white vinegar into the bowl and scrub with a brush, or pour it into the tank to watch the buildup flush away. Household chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, ammonia, and oxalic acid can help remove more severe stains like rust, slime, and corrosive tarnishes.
However, when it comes to marble and tile, using acidic solutions such as lemon juice and vinegar can cause further damage. To clean marble, feel for a raised bump, then apply mild soap and scrub with fine steel wool.
Save Money and Beautify Your Home with a Water Softener
Once you’ve gotten rid of ugly (and potentially harmful) hard water spots, it’s important to prevent them from reappearing again.
The best way to avoid buildup and costly expenses is preventative maintenance through a water softener. A reliable water softener improves the quality of your water, eliminating mineral content that leaves stains.
All Clear Plumbing can help you find the appropriate water softening system that will help correct the negative effects of hard water. A huge pro of a water softener is that if it’s properly sized, installed, and maintained, it can last over 20 years.
Plus, it only requires a few simple maintenance steps! As one of the most important components of your water system, maintaining the effectiveness of the water softener is essential if you want to save money and improve your home.
Clogged shower heads and dirty faucets covered in white residue often make it impossible to keep your home surfaces sparkling clean. At All Clear Plumbing, we offer plumbing services and perform water filtration methods such as water softener installations.
We’re confident in our methods and advice, and we want you and your friends to be as well. Share this article with the world so that cleaning and avoiding hard water stains are no longer our little secret!
