Difference between revisions of "Limescale"
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| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
Limescale is... and causes... | Limescale is... and causes... | ||
| − | =Cause | + | =Cause= |
| − | =Prevention | + | =Prevention= |
| − | ==Ion Exchange Water Softener | + | ==Ion Exchange Water Softener== |
| − | ==Phosphate Dosing | + | ==Phosphate Dosing== |
| − | ==Regular use of lime scale removing acidic cleaner | + | ==Regular use of lime scale removing acidic cleaner== |
| − | ==Stainless steel wool ball in kettle | + | ==Stainless steel wool ball in kettle== |
| − | =Removal | + | =Removal= |
* acids | * acids | ||
* scrapers and abrasives | * scrapers and abrasives | ||
* very heavy encrustations are removed with a needle drill | * very heavy encrustations are removed with a needle drill | ||
| − | ==Chemicals=== | + | ==Chemicals== |
| − | + | ===Hydrochloric acid=== | |
* Strongest of all limescale removers | * Strongest of all limescale removers | ||
* Fizzes on contact with limescale | * Fizzes on contact with limescale | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
* Darkens crazed patterning on ceramics | * Darkens crazed patterning on ceramics | ||
| − | + | ===Sulphuric acid=== | |
| + | Scrap sulphuric acid may be used for limescale removal. | ||
| − | + | ===Sulphamic acid=== | |
| − | + | ===Phosphoric acid=== | |
| + | * found in some commercial limescale removing cleaners | ||
| − | + | ===Vinegar=== | |
| − | + | ===Citric acid=== | |
*Mildest of all | *Mildest of all | ||
*A common food ingredient | *A common food ingredient | ||
| Line 39: | Line 41: | ||
*Suitable for washing machines, aluminium, and unknown or mixed materials. | *Suitable for washing machines, aluminium, and unknown or mixed materials. | ||
| − | =Safety | + | =Safety= |
* Never allow acids to come into contact with bleach. People have died from doing this. ...dont wait around to see what went wrong, evacuate the area immediately. It only takes a few breaths of chlorine to kill. | * Never allow acids to come into contact with bleach. People have died from doing this. ...dont wait around to see what went wrong, evacuate the area immediately. It only takes a few breaths of chlorine to kill. | ||
| Line 47: | Line 49: | ||
| − | =Goods | + | =Goods= |
| − | ==Baths, plastic | + | ==Baths, plastic== |
any of the acids listed will work, but the stronger ones damage chromework if contact is allowed. | any of the acids listed will work, but the stronger ones damage chromework if contact is allowed. | ||
| − | ==Baths, enamel & cast iron | + | ==Baths, enamel & cast iron== |
| − | ==Shower curtains | + | ==Shower curtains== |
*Any of the acids listed will work | *Any of the acids listed will work | ||
*Limescale on curtains retains water and encourages mould | *Limescale on curtains retains water and encourages mould | ||
| − | ==Tiles | + | ==Tiles== |
All acids damage tile grout, apply with care. | All acids damage tile grout, apply with care. | ||
Plastic scrapers are effective for mild scale | Plastic scrapers are effective for mild scale | ||
Copper scrapers are effective for heavier scale. However copper scrapers break up tile grout. | Copper scrapers are effective for heavier scale. However copper scrapers break up tile grout. | ||
| − | ==Kettle | + | ==Kettle== |
Add citric acid, boil, let sit until cold, rinse clean. | Add citric acid, boil, let sit until cold, rinse clean. | ||
| − | ==Washing machine | + | ==Washing machine== |
Add citric acid, dont put any clothes in. Set to a 95 degree C or boil wash. When the water reacheds boiling, switch the machine off and leave overnight. Switch on in the morting and let it complete its wash program. | Add citric acid, dont put any clothes in. Set to a 95 degree C or boil wash. When the water reacheds boiling, switch the machine off and leave overnight. Switch on in the morting and let it complete its wash program. | ||
| − | ==Taps | + | ==Taps== |
plastic scourer | plastic scourer | ||
| − | =Suppliers | + | =Suppliers= |
'''Hydrochloric acid''' brick acid, some types of patio cleaner. Builders merchants, online BMs. | '''Hydrochloric acid''' brick acid, some types of patio cleaner. Builders merchants, online BMs. | ||
Revision as of 20:02, 20 December 2006
Limescale is... and causes...
Cause
Prevention
Ion Exchange Water Softener
Phosphate Dosing
Regular use of lime scale removing acidic cleaner
Stainless steel wool ball in kettle
Removal
- acids
- scrapers and abrasives
- very heavy encrustations are removed with a needle drill
Chemicals
Hydrochloric acid
- Strongest of all limescale removers
- Fizzes on contact with limescale
- Handle with care
- Avoid all contact with metals, grouts, mortar, concrete, cement based blocks, lime based paints
- Slowly dissolves eyeballs & other human parts
- Wash off skin promptly
- Darkens crazed patterning on ceramics
Sulphuric acid
Scrap sulphuric acid may be used for limescale removal.
Sulphamic acid
Phosphoric acid
- found in some commercial limescale removing cleaners
Vinegar
Citric acid
- Mildest of all
- A common food ingredient
- Very slow acting
- Requires heat to be effective
- Suitable for washing machines, aluminium, and unknown or mixed materials.
Safety
- Never allow acids to come into contact with bleach. People have died from doing this. ...dont wait around to see what went wrong, evacuate the area immediately. It only takes a few breaths of chlorine to kill.
- Stronger acids eat clothes, cememnt and lime based products, metal, eyes and other parts of humans. Use with care.
- All acids react with copper to create toxic runoff. Wash away residues to avoid any contact with food or food preparation equipment.
Goods
Baths, plastic
any of the acids listed will work, but the stronger ones damage chromework if contact is allowed.
Baths, enamel & cast iron
Shower curtains
- Any of the acids listed will work
- Limescale on curtains retains water and encourages mould
Tiles
All acids damage tile grout, apply with care. Plastic scrapers are effective for mild scale Copper scrapers are effective for heavier scale. However copper scrapers break up tile grout.
Kettle
Add citric acid, boil, let sit until cold, rinse clean.
Washing machine
Add citric acid, dont put any clothes in. Set to a 95 degree C or boil wash. When the water reacheds boiling, switch the machine off and leave overnight. Switch on in the morting and let it complete its wash program.
Taps
plastic scourer
Suppliers
Hydrochloric acid brick acid, some types of patio cleaner. Builders merchants, online BMs.
Sulphamic acid Fernox DS3, builders merchants, plumber's merchants
Citric acid chemists. Supermarkets also stock citric acid products at inflated prices.