Calcium build-up within drains can be a big problem for homeowners, including slow water flow and draining issues. If the problem is ignored it can escalate and cause further issues, eventually becoming a serious financial situation. However, there are things that can be done to stop calcium build-up or eradicate the issue once it’s happened.
Options
There are a few ways to remove calcium build-up and lime scale from your drains and pipes, and it’s important to know your options. One of the best ways to permanently eliminate the issue is to purchase a water softening system. They can be expensive, but can save you a lot of money in the future. You can keep costs down by installing the water softening system yourself, or you can call a professional to do so for you.
There are also other, temporary solutions to calcium build-up, though it’s important to understand that the problem can persist over time if it is not properly addressed.
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Chemicals
You can purchase products from the supermarket that can help with calcium build-up issues. These products include an acid that is designed to cut through calcium and lime scale, helping to give your pipes the deep clean they need.
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DIY Solution
Vinegar and baking soda seem to have many uses, and cleaning the calcium build-up from your pipes is one of them. This is a cheap and safe way to give your pipes a clean, though you will need a lot of mixture, so be prepared for a trip to the supermarket.
How-to
Whichever method you choose, the steps you need to take are the same. The only difference will be the amount of time you need to soak your pipes. For the vinegar and baking soda method, you’ll need to allow the mixture to soak your pipes for at least three to four hours. With store bought products, the process only takes around a quarter of an hour.
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Water
The first step is to fill a large pot of water for each drain you plan on treating. Set it aside for later.
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Turn off the water
Shut down the water to your house before filling your pipes with your solution.
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Empty the pipes
Turn on every pipe within your home, including any that are outdoors. Flush any toilets a number of times to drain out all water. Once the water has drained, turn the taps off.
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Fill Taps
Pour your choice of mixture down the relevant drains. Use goggles and gloves for extra safety. If you are using vinegar and baking soda, pour them down individually and let sit for the allotted time.
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Boiling Water
Around 30 minutes before the allotted time is up, boil the water you set aside earlier. Pour it quickly and forcefully down the affected drains to help dissolve any grease, soap and leftover calcium build-up.
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Return to normal
Turn your water back on and check to see water is flowing as normal.
If you find you have so much calcium build-up that none of these options are working for you, you may need to replace your pipes. By repeating the process around once a year, your pipes should remain in a healthy condition.
Worried about calcium build-up in your pipes? Get in touch with a member of the team by visiting our contact page or by giving us a call on 0800 849 8099.