How to Remove Calcium Buildup in Pipes: Three Tips From Woodstock Plumbers

Calcium deposits found at water sources often look like large white pieces of limescale. Households use body care products, cleaning supplies, and other substances that leave minerals behind, like calcium, as they travel through the pipes. Homeowners want to know how to remove calcium buildup in pipes themselves before consulting a plumber.

Quick-Pro Plumbing provides Woodstock’s repiping services and can help you deal with stubborn scales in your hot water heater or plumbing. Try these expert tips for removing calcium buildup, then contact the team for professional assistance and long-term water softener solutions.

1. Use Liquids to Break Down Calcium Deposits

Acidic liquids like scale cleaning products, lemon juice, or vinegar are excellent for breaking down tough calcium buildup. When learning how to remove calcium buildup in pipes, one of the first steps to try is using an acidic solution. Be cautious of using harsh chemicals to clean drinking water sources.

You can learn how to remove calcium buildup in pipes using these steps:

1. Set aside enough water in buckets for household needs and flush out your pipes.
2. Turn off your water heater via the circuit breaker, then shut off the water supply and any taps.
3. Drain any remaining water in your water heater or taps.
4. Pour your preferred calcium-fighting liquid into drains, and wear proper clothing for synthetic cleaners to keep yourself safe.
5. After enough time has passed, boil the water you saved earlier down the drains to flush out all broken-down buildup. You only need to wait 15 minutes to a half hour for descaler products but should give vinegar and baking soda a couple of hours to work properly.

Repeat this essential routine every few months to prevent your pipes from stalling. Contact Quick-Pro Plumbing for a more efficient fix if calcium persists.

2. Take Preventative Measures to Avoid Buildup

Potential effects of hard water and calcium buildup in your pipes include lack of water pressure, early wear and stress, and clogging. Fortunately, you can take preventative action by swapping your existing metal pipes for plastic, calcium-resistant ones or purchasing a water softener system.

3. Dealing with Calcium Buildup in Other Areas

If your pipes are suffering from calcium buildup, there’s a good chance your faucets, showerheads, and kitchen or bathroom tools are too. You can use a mixture of 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of vinegar, and hot water to destroy hard minerals and calcium. This cleaning combination requires less time for faucets and showerheads, but waiting a few hours for the mixture to work in the pipes is best.

Contact the Professionals of Quick-Pro Plumbing to Deal with Calcium Buildup in Woodstock, GA

Now that you know how to remove calcium buildup in pipes, consider a long-term solution to truly get rid of and prevent it from returning. Some of the best solutions include water softeners or replacing your plumbing system.

The Quick-Pro Plumbing team can help if the problem continues and is available for 24-hour emergency plumbing in Woodstock, GA. If you’re dealing with stubborn calcium deposits and hard water, contact the pros today!