This white “gunk” is actually calcium buildup. It shows up on showerheads and faucets in homes with hard water. Although it’s dirty looking and hard to scrub away, it’s not harmful to you.

Fortunately, there are solutions for bathroom plumbing fixtures that have this problem. Read more here about how to get rid of the stains, what causes the problem, and what you can do to stop it from coming back.

The Reason for Calcium Buildup

Calcium buildup, also referred to as limescale, happens when dissolved calcium salts make their way through your home’s plumbing and through the taps. All water has calcium salts in it as well as other minerals, but it becomes a problem when you have exceptionally hard water. Sometimes, the problem escalates and your sink, bathtub, or shower might appear rusty. This is common when the iron content in hard water is high.

How to Get Rid of Calcium Buildup

The best way to get rid of these stains is to use vinegar and a soft brush. Create a vinegar and water solution of equal parts each. From here, spray the stain until it becomes saturated with the solution. Let it sit for several minutes and then rinse with hot water.

For faucets and showerheads, sometimes it works best to fill a baggie with the solution and immerse the fixture in the bag. Use a rubber band to keep the baggie in place.

Preventing Hard Water Buildup

Although calcium buildup isn’t harmful, it’s unsightly, and it can cause fixtures to wear out faster. Hard water can also wreak havoc on your plumbing appliances and pipes causing break downs, corrosion, and clogs. That’s why we recommend that homeowners do what they can to reduce the amount of calcium and other minerals in their water supply.

One way to do this is to install a water softener. These plumbing appliances are affordable for most budgets and condition the water. They require very little maintenance other than adding salt to the softener once a month or so.

Another option is to install a whole-house filtration system. This system doesn’t condition the water like a water softener. Instead, it removes all minerals from the water supply. Whole-house filtration systems can be quite pricey, which doesn’t make them a fit for all budgets.

Regardless of your budget, here at Dana Point Action Plumbing Pros, we want to work with you to find ways to protect your plumbing system from hard water. To learn more about your options, call one of our expert plumbers in Dana Point, CA, to schedule a consultation.