Hard water is nothing new for renters across the country. It is the reason why there are spots and crusty buildup that can seem almost impossible to remove. It restricts the flow of water through faucets and showerheads, generating problems with water pressure amongst other things. Some tenants simply do not want to face the issue and disregard it, which then leads to faucet damage and replacement. This is a costly decision, and not one we’d like to advise. Cleaning hard water buildup off a sink faucet, inside and out, is not difficult; however, it will demand a bit of your time. With the right information and materials, it is achievable to get the faucets in your Kimberly rental property working like new.
Water that is high in calcium and other minerals, otherwise called hard water, can make your sink faucets look disgusting. Calcium buildup, frequently called limescale, can also start water flow issues. If you are going through water flow problems, the origin of your problem is with the faucet aerator, found within 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. At such time when these elements get tangled with mineral deposits, the fixture will start to have water pressure problems, possibly building an uneven or erratic flow.
To repair these obstacles, try cleaning your faucet’s aerator. Cleaning a blocked aerator is a manageable procedure, yet one that need be prepared prudently to avoid destroying any of the many parts that are inside. Most aerators can be separated with your hand or a pair of pliers, letting you examine the faucet spout for any deposits or blockages inside. Soon after taking the aerator apart, just soak the pieces in a bowl of white vinegar overnight. This will release the mineral buildup and allow 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 difference straightaway.
White vinegar is useful when cleaning up hard water buildup on the outside surfaces of a sink faucet, too. There is no need for expensive household cleaners if you apply the method recommended by the experts at Mr. Rooter. Their website has thorough instructions on how to clean hard water buildup on faucets, but the process is simple. 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 clean.
For a more easier version of this process, 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, making sure that the end of the fixture is completely covered in the vinegar. Let the faucet soak for an hour or two and after removing the bag, 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 208-734-4001 today.
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