Calcium build-up is one of the more easily detectable plumbing problems. The frequency of this issue depends on where you reside.
A build-up of minerals can become a costly issue that’s even more difficult to solve as time passes. You can easily use an easily accessible solution that removes the problem.
Vinegar and baking soda are universal solutions for drain blockage problems, and calcium buildup is no exception. The simple process takes half an hour, making it ideal for the lime deposit problem.
How To Remove Calcium Buildup from Shower Drains
1. Heat Water In A Pan
Warm a few cups of water (around three litres) in a pan while you follow the remaining steps. You’ll use hot water later in the process.
2. Remove Excess Water From Drain
If your drain is completely blocked, use a plunger to remove the excess water. With a few pumps, you may be able to clear a path for the liquid to drain. Alternatively, you can use a stiff wire brush to remove the scaling.
3. Put Vinegar And Baking Soda To Use
When you use vinegar and baking soda for cleaning purposes, ensure that you have them in equal parts to maximise the mixture’s effectiveness.
Pour a cup of each into your drain, one after the other. The pouring order doesn’t matter, so you won’t have to worry about that.
4. Cover The Mixture With A Rag
Once you’ve emptied your vinegar and baking soda cups, you may use a damp cleaning rag to cover the drain. After reacting, vinegar and baking soda produce carbon dioxide, and a wet rag stops it from escaping altogether.
Wait 5 to 10 minutes while the mixture dissolves the calcium buildup in the pipes. The chemical reaction may produce fizzing sounds, signalling that the method succeeds.
5. Wash Away With Boiling Water
The water you set up to boil is the last step of the process, which you’ll need to wash the remaining deposits. Hot water will wash off areas where the vinegar and baking soda mixture is missing, completing the process.
For a final touch-up, you can use vinegar and a rag to clean out any stains left behind.
Signs Of Calcium Buildup In Your Drain
The most common reason for calcium build-up is hard-to-tap water. Hard water contains an abundance of minerals, causing it to leave a residue in pipes and drains. Mineral deposits like calcium don’t mix into the water, and the deposits they cause will lead to plumbing problems.
1. Blocked Drainage Pipes
An excess of calcium deposits in your pipes can lead to clogs, potentially leading to more severe plumbing issues like burst pipes. Should you encounter a blockage, the clog must be attended to once.
2. Lime Scale On Drain Covers
After hard water dries, you may encounter hard deposits on your bathroom floor or drain covers. Known as ‘lime scaling’, the deposits are a telltale sign of hard water that eventually leads to a blockage in your drain pipes.
3. Spots On Your Bathroom Fixtures
You may encounter white spots where hard water has touched your faucets. If you do, you may opt to routinely clean the drain pipes to ensure the drainage pipe stays clean and free of clogs.
Cleaning Your Shower Drain
Calcium build-up can become a nasty problem if not dealt with promptly. It can damage your plumbing, fixtures, and, in rare cases, your health.
If you see any signs of calcium build-up, you may consider having your water quality checked. If your drain clogs, you’ll have the universal drainage solution—vinegar and baking soda—to fall back on.
If this method doesn’t work, contact professional plumbing services, as it may indicate more serious underlying issues. If you are in Perth, speak to the plumbing experts at Woolf Plumbing & Gas.
