Our water is so hard and that stuff that builds up around the faucets, white, gritty stuff is in the toilets too. It's just coating the insides. I've let Lime-away sit for 30 minutes+ and it doesn't touch it. Any suggestions???
2006-08-15 10:21:30 · 8 answers · asked by bradys_mommy 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
A water softner is your only choice...you can either rent those or,buy them.
2006-08-15 10:28:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
For that mess, you will need a hydrocloric acid...
But, I dont think you can get it, as its only obtainable by Professionals..(maybe a pool supply company).
Then you will need only a .5% solution. What it will do, is heat that toilet bowl up, as you add it to the water and it WILL remove the scale.
(NOTE: NEVER ADD WATER TO ACID OR IT WILL BOIL AND YOU WILL BE HARMED! You have to add acid to the water slowly!).
What I would do if I were you..(I did it myself), would be to get a whole house water filter and put it - in line - after the water meter. You will probably have to change it every two weeks, if its that "hard", because you obviously have lime and other minerals in suspension...(water plants add this to protect the population from lead supply lines to older homes), so, you have to take them out before they wreck your faucets and valves.
After you have done this...(As I said, I have done this, and I actually have two of them in line!)...I would start to replace your water lines, because they are probably plugged with lime by now.
Personally, I replaced mine with 3/4 water lines, because I wanted more "volume"...(some one flushes the toilet while some one takes a shower, and it wont bother you a bit!)...
It doesnt increase your pressure one bit, but the volume is a great thing to have... And I will bet that each one of your "shut off valves" are shot! They may not even operate, because they are limed up...
I wish you well...
Jesse
2006-08-15 10:33:27 · answer #2 · answered by x 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You also might want to try a cleaning pumice stone. I've seen them in some grocery stores and in pool supply stores. Put your rubber gloves on and give them a good scrub.
I have also used an SOS pad to scrape off the gunk that "grew" at the bottom of my toilets. It scratched the porcelain a little, but it still looked a lot better than the gunk.
2006-08-15 11:18:09 · answer #3 · answered by tarheel mom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had those problems and have found that The Works Toilet Cleaner is the absolute best to get out the hard water stains. Can't hurt to try it.
Good luck! :)
2006-08-15 10:28:02 · answer #4 · answered by bettywitdabigbooty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like the new product out by easy off... it's called BAM.... get the one for rust stains and hard water build up. It works much better than lime away.
2006-08-15 10:27:14 · answer #5 · answered by mixemup 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a toilet cleaner called "the WORKS" that really works. You may have to apply several times for that much buildup.
They also make a good shower stall cleaner for the same type problem.
2006-08-15 10:27:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
scraping it first, then lime-away on a regular basis should do the trick.
Think about investing in a water softener unit. They aren't cheap, but they will do amazing things with your water, and eliminate this problem.
Any local appliance dealer or plumbing business can install one for you.
Mike
2006-08-15 10:27:47 · answer #7 · answered by Michael K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Denture cleaner tablets for the porcelain fixtures works well. Otherwise...you may have to consider getting a water softener eventually.
2006-08-16 11:05:47 · answer #8 · answered by peacemaker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋