Are you tired of constantly scrubbing your faucets to remove that unsightly white buildup? If yes, there is calcium buildup on the faucet. Calcium buildup not only affects the shine and appearance of the faucet but also decreases its life and functionality. If not cleaned immediately, water pressure will decrease and the faucet may leak.
If you want to know how to prevent calcium buildup on faucets, you are at the right place. In this guide, we are sharing how can you prevent and remove calcium buildup to keep the faucet sparkling clean and functional. By preventing the buildup, you can save money, time, and frustration in the long run.
Why Calcium Buildup on Faucets?
Hard water is the main reason you have calcium buildup on faucets in your house. When water has high-quality magnesium and calcium minerals, they make water hard and cause several issues in the plumbing including buildup.
When hard water flows in the water supply lines of the house and comes into contact with kitchen and bathroom fixtures, it leaves behind mineral deposits on the faucet. over time, buildup starts making a white chalky appearance on the faucet. Hard water is not harmful to health but it can damage the fixtures of the house.
Why Is It Important To Prevent Calcium Buildup on Faucets?
This buildup over time might result in a number of problems other than merely a drop in water pressure.
If you don’t prevent buildup, it will clog small holes in the faucet and reduces the flow of water. With the low water pressure, it becomes difficult to use the faucet as intended. Low pressure becomes frustrating when you have to wash more dishes or you are in a hurry and need water quickly.
Calcium buildup also causes a leak. When the buildup is built on the inner part of the faucet such as the cartridge, seal, or O-rings, it can cause them to wear down and eventually fail. A failed part of the faucet can’t stop water from leaking and result in an expensive repair.
Calcium buildup is unsightly on the faucet. It makes faucets dirty and unattractive and bacteria may grow there. By using hard water kitchen faucets, you can prevent buildup easily.
How To Prevent Calcium Buildup on Faucets?
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance of Faucet
To prevent calcium buildup regular cleaning and maintenance of faucets is a budget-friendly and simple solution. Cleaning will maintain the overall appearance of the faucet. A faucet is always exposed to the faucet which causes stains, water spots, and other unsightly marks on its surface.
When we use a faucet, water droplets, and dirt are left over it and cause calcium buildup. To prevent buildup, you should regularly clean the faucet with a dry soft cloth after every use. It will remove water droplets and dirt from the faucet surface and no reason is left to accumulate the buildup. Don’t use any hard objects to clean the faucet, it may damage its finish.
Use Water Softener
As we told earlier in the article, calcium buildup is caused by hard water so use a water softener to remove the hardness of the water and prevent calcium buildup. A water softener uses an ion exchange process to remove hardness and make water clean.
A water softener has a tank that is filled with resin beads. When water is passed through this tank, water comes into contact with resin beads and attracts minerals of water towards it. It traps the minerals in the water and releases the soft water without any minerals. This soft water won’t cause any buildup.
Water softener not only prevents calcium buildup but also has some other advantages such as extending the life of faucets and appliances by removing minerals and reducing soap scum. It is an effective way to prevent calcium buildup on the faucet but it costs you higher than regular cleaning.
Use a Water Filtration System
The long-term approach to preventing calcium buildup on the faucet is the water filter system. Also, it purifies the water to make it safer and better for cooking and drinking.
Install it at the main water entry of the home rather than the kitchen or bathroom so it can clean all water in the building before it reaches any faucets. After installation, it will begin to provide pure water devoid of minerals for you.
As the water doesn’t contain any minerals, you don’t need to clean the faucet on a regular basis. Cleaning takes less time and effort.
It also enhances the taste and odor of the water, making it more enjoyable to drink, by reducing calcium buildup. It reduces the possibility of health issues brought on by minerals in the water.
What Type of Water Filtration System Is Best For Preventing Calcium Buildup on Faucets?
With so many different types of water filtration systems, it becomes difficult to find the right one to prevent calcium buildup. Activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems, and ultraviolet disinfection systems are popular choices.
Activated carbon water filtration use activated carbon to clean water and remove impurities, including minerals that cause buildups. The good thing about this filter is that the filter installation process is simple and its price is not high. Due to its low price, this filter doesn’t clean every mineral from the water.
Reverse osmosis water filter systems use membranes to remove impurities and minerals from the water. It is more effective than an activated carbon filter to remove the impurities but its cost is high and installation is a little bit complicated.
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An ultraviolet disinfection system uses UV light to kill bacteria and viruses in the water. But when it comes to removing minerals, it is not as effective as others. Which water filtration is good for you depending on your requirement and budget? If you want to clean less amount of water choose an activated carbon filter and if you need to clean more water every day, reverse osmosis is a good option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Identify Calcium Buildup on Faucets?
Calcium accumulation on faucets is often white or off-white in color and with a powdery texture. It is distinguishable by its rough surface and frequently appears around the faucet’s base, spout, and handles. If left unchecked, calcium buildup can eventually result in leaks and cause a drop in water pressure.
How Often Should I Clean My Faucets To Prevent Calcium Buildup?
To avoid calcium buildup, it’s a good idea to clean your faucets at least once every week. The buildup of minerals on the surface of the faucet may be avoided with routine cleaning. You might need to clean your faucets more frequently if you live in a region with very hard water to avoid mineral buildup. Do not use abrasive cleansers or scrubbers as they may scratch or harm the faucet’s surface.
James Lewis is a seasoned plumber and faucet enthusiast who shares his expertise on Faucetsavvy.com. With over 15 years of experience in the plumbing industry, he’s passionate about helping homeowners find the perfect faucet for their needs. He’s also dedicated to empowering DIY enthusiasts with the plumbing knowledge and skills needed to repair and maintain their faucets.