Limescale deposits on the aerator (mixing nozzle) of taps not only look ugly. They also impede the flow of water or cause water-wasting dripping. However, they can easily be removed with simple means. We will show you how you can decalcify both unscrewable and fixed mixer nozzles on taps without any complications.
We will show you how you can decalcify both unscrewable and fixed mixer nozzles on taps without any complications.
Descale a faucet with vinegar
Vinegar has been the number 1 home remedy for limescale in the home since grandma's time. Acetic acid dissolves limescale by donating protons to the carbonate ions, which react to form carbonic acid and then break down into water and gaseous carbon dioxide. It is therefore best to use table vinegar or concentrated vinegar essence to prevent limescale deposits on fittings.
Materials and tools required
material: plastic bag "," a piece of adhesive tape "," table vinegar or vinegar essence
Tools: Possibly a slotted screwdriver, a hammer, a small chisel, a cloth or a sponge
Step by step guide
1. Knock off coarse limescale deposits
Figure: https://www.heimwerkertricks.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/wasserhahn-entkalken-anleitung.jpg.webp
If the faucet head is already so calcified that thick crusts have formed, it makes sense to remove them mechanically first. To do this, you can carefully knock them off with a slotted screwdriver or a small chisel with a hammer. To avoid scratching the headpiece, hit from top to bottom.
2. Try to unscrew the aerator
Some faucets have a detachable aerator. Examine the faucet head for a step on the faucet tube that could indicate threading. If this is the case, the head piece can probably be unscrewed together with the aerator filter. Because it is stuck in a calcified state, use a pipe wrench to help.
3. Descale the removable aerator
If the faucet head is unscrewable with the internal aerator, you have it easy: simply place the entire head in a cup of table vinegar so that the head is completely covered. In tougher cases, take vinegar essence and dilute it 1:2 with water.
4. Make vinegar bath in plastic bag for fixed faucet heads
With faucet heads that are firmly connected to the faucet pipe, you have to force the necessary vinegar bath to the faucet. A simple, tight plastic bag that you fill with table vinegar or vinegar water is suitable for this.
5. Attach vinegar bath
Fill the bag with an amount of vinegar or vinegar water that corresponds to about half a cup. This is usually enough to completely immerse the tap head in it. Pull the filled bag over the tap head and stick it to the tap pipe with adhesive tape.
6. Let it take effect
How long the faucet head has to rest in its vinegar bath always depends on the degree of calcification. If you want to be on the safe side, it is best to leave it on overnight. With moderate calcification, however, 1-2 hours can be sufficient. Just check from time to time whether the limescale has already dissolved significantly.
7. Remove leftovers
Small residues usually remain after the vinegar bath. But because they are already dissolved, they can usually be easily removed mechanically. To do this, use a cloth or, if necessary, a scouring pad to avoid leaving any scratches on the tap head.
Possible problems and frequently asked questions
Tap head can be unscrewed, but cannot be loosened
If the faucet head can clearly be unscrewed - i.e. if a thread is visible or you have already unscrewed it - it often still sits securely in place if there is heavy encrustation of limescale. In this case, you can loosen the limescale by wrapping it with a cloth soaked in vinegar. Otherwise, attach a vinegar bath here as well.
How strong does the vinegar concentration have to be?
In view of the many vinegar home remedies and vinegar cleaning products on the market with different concentrations, you can sometimes become unsure. Ultimately, however, you can adjust the concentration of the vinegar bath to the degree of calcification. Orientation values are table vinegar (5%) for moderate calcification and a 1:2 solution of vinegar essence (25%) and water for heavy calcification.
Aerator filter is loose after descaling
Sometimes the aerator filter is so worn out by age and lime that it was only held in place by calcification. After loosening, the severed edges can then become noticeable. In that case you have to replace the aerator. You can find replacement aerators in the sanitary trade. Pay attention to the right thread size.
The aerator descaled, but the tap still drips
The aerator is visibly decalcified, but the tap is still dripping or has problems with the temperature control? Then it could be due to calcification further inside, more precisely to a calcified cartridge. You can remove the cartridge by removing the lever handle and also decalcify or replace it.
The professional alternative
Of course, if you don't feel like using home remedies or they don't work well, you can also use ready-made products from the sanitary market. On the one hand, there are foaming descaler sprays that save you having to use a vinegar bath.
According to the customer reviews on amazon.de, the Limescale Spray from HG, for example, has a good effect, at least with normal degrees of calcification. With it you can cover the faucet with descaling foam, which gets to all places without any other tools. However, you should not use it on natural stone tiles on the bathroom wall.
If you definitely want to use the natural, simple household remedy vinegar, but attaching a vinegar bath in a glued-on bag is too fiddly for you, you can also try a silicone balloon with a strap specially made for this purpose. However, the diameter of the tap tube must be large enough for the filled balloon to hold up.
Do you have very hard tap water and just fed up with the fact that the tap is constantly calcifying? Then you can also consider whether you want to afford a limescale filter in the water supply line. Such a filter is usually simply integrated under the sink in front of the cold water supply hose. There are also complete sets including a faucet.