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Fix the Flow: Cleaning Up Hard Water

Murrysville Bathtub Faucet Being CleanedHard water is a common problem for renters across the country. It creates spots and crusty buildup that can seem like it is impossible to remove. It restricts the flow of water through faucets and showerheads, creating issues with water pressure, amongst other things. Some tenants altogether avoid dealing with it, which eventually leads to faucet damage and replacement. This is an unreasonable choice, and not one we’d prescribe. Cleaning hard water buildup off a sink faucet, inside and out, is not complex, but it does demand a little time. With the correct information and materials, it is plausible to get the faucets in your Murrysville rental property working as if it were brand-new.

Water that is high in calcium and other minerals, known as hard water, can cause your sink faucets to look ugly. Calcium buildup, sometimes also termed as limescale can produce water flow issues. If you are encountering water flow problems, the root of your problem is with the faucet aerator, placed in the interior of the fixture. A faucet aerator is a hollow metal cylinder that screws over the end of a faucet. Inside the aerator is a tiny screen, a rubber washer, a mixer disc, and perhaps a flow restrictor or an inner plastic housing. Whenever these foundations get jammed with mineral deposits, the fixture will begin to have water pressure problems, possibly forming an uneven or erratic flow.

To correct these problems, attempt to clean your faucet’s aerator. Cleaning a blocked aerator is an uncomplicated method, but one that needs to be prepared thoroughly to avoid breaking any of the many parts that are inside. Most aerators can be taken off with your hand or a pair of pliers, allowing you to check the faucet spout for any deposits or blockages inside. After taking the aerator apart, simply soak the pieces in a bowl of white vinegar overnight. This will slacken the mineral buildup and enable you to rub off any debris. Re-assemble the aerator and replace it on the fixture, then check your water flow. You should see a notable change right away.

White vinegar will act as a cleaner on those hard water buildups on the external surfaces of a sink faucet, too. There is no need for expensive household cleaners if you practice the method recommended by the pros at Mr. Rooter. Their website has complete directions on how to clean hard water buildup on faucets, but the manner is easy. Just soak some paper towels or strips of rags in white vinegar and wrap the base of the faucet with them. Fasten the rags to the faucet with rubber bands and let the vinegar sit for at least an hour, then scrub it clean.

For an even simpler version of this procedure, you can try the plastic bag method. To use this method, you need to fill a plastic sandwich bag with vinegar and tie it to the end of the faucet with a rubber band, ensuring that the end of the fixture is completely covered in the vinegar. Let the faucet soak for an hour or two, and at that point remove the bag and scrub it clean. Then, test your water flow: if the problem is still there, you’ll have to try cleaning the aerator as described above.

Are you considering a move to a new rental house? If so, be sure to check out our available property listings. We might have a property that works well for you. If you’re a property owner interested in our management services, contact us online or call us at 724-804-8254 today.

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