Hard water is a mutual problem for renters across the country. It generates spots and crusty buildup that may feel as though it is next to impossible to remove. It restricts the flow of water through faucets and showerheads, forming dilemmas with water pressure, amongst other things. Some tenants do not want to face the problem head-on, which ultimately ends up with faucet damage and replacement. This is a very costly decision, and not one we’d endorse. Cleaning hard water buildup off a sink faucet, inside and out, is not as rough as it may seem like, nevertheless, it does need a little time. With the appropriate information and materials, it is likely to get the faucets in your Portsmouth rental property functioning like new.
Water that is high in calcium and other minerals, more familiarly known as hard water, can make your sink faucets look horrible. Calcium buildup, sometimes also called limescale, can also create water flow issues. If you are going over water flow problems, the cause of your dilemma is with the faucet aerator, placed inside 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. As soon as these elements get congested with mineral deposits, the fixture will start to have water pressure problems, probably generating an uneven or erratic flow.
To repair these glitches, work on cleaning your faucet’s aerator. Cleaning a blocked aerator is a basic procedure, but one that must be accomplished cautiously to avoid destroying any of the many parts that are inside. Most aerators can be removed with your hand or a pair of pliers, letting you observe the faucet spout for a little or a lot of deposits or blockages inside. After taking the aerator apart, simply soak the pieces in a bowl of white vinegar overnight. This will free 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 observe substantial development immediately.
White vinegar will be beneficial when trying to remove the hard water buildup on the exteriors of a sink faucet, too. There is no need for expensive household cleaners if you use the method recommended by the professionals at Mr. Rooter. Their website has comprehensive instructions on how to clean hard water buildup on faucets, but the procedure 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 an even more simple 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 then remove the bag and scrub it clean. Then, test your water flow: if the problem is still not resolved, you’ll want to attempt on 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 757-395-4274 today.
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