What is Calcium Build Up.. Learn Why Calcium Builds Up On Fixtures

Learn about why Calcium is building up on your fixtures and the options that you have to stop it

 If you’ve ever noticed a stubborn white or chalky substance accumulating at the bottom of your faucet, you’re likely dealing with calcium deposits. Constantly cleaning up calcium deposits, might leave you with this one question. Calcium is building up on my fixtures and how do I stop it? These deposits, also known as limescale or hard water buildup. Limescale is a common issue in areas with hard water like here in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Why Calcium is building up on Your fixtures

Let’s take a quick look at why calcium starts to collect at the bottom of your plumbing fixtures and explore effective ways to tackle this problem. Hard water contains high concentrations of minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. When hard water evaporates, it leaves behind the minerals it carries. As water flows it leads to the formation of calcium deposits. The more frequently hard water comes into contact with a surface, the more significant the buildup as the minerals accumulate. 

Accumulated deposits can narrow the water passages within the faucet, leading to reduced water flow over time. In extreme cases, the minerals in hard water can lead to corrosion of metal components in faucets, causing long-term damage. Limescale is a common problem that we deal with here in the Phoenix metropolitan area but there is a lot of ways that you can remedy this issue! 

Water Treatment Systems and How They Can Prevent Calcium Build Up

A water treatment system is a system that treats, filters and/or removes contaminants and minerals from the water. There are different types of water treatment systems. Different systems that use different processes to treat or remove the contaminants in the water. 

A salt based water softener system

This is a type of water treatment system that removes the minerals in hard water ions and replaces them with sodium ions. The amount of salt you use will depend on the amount of water you consume and how hard your water is. But be aware of possible health concerns because the consumption of sodium can lead to health issues.  The maintenance on this system requires access to the drainage system for regular regeneration cycles and manually refilling of salt. 

A citrus based water conditioner

This is a water treatment system that is also known as a salt free water softener system. This water conditioner uses citrus and a process that is known as chelation to treat hard water. Instead of using sodium to remove minerals, this salt free water treatment system binds to isolate the hard mineral ions with a binding agent through the chelation process. Because the treated water is salt-free, it is healthier and better for consumption than traditional salt-based water softener systems. The maintenance of this system is a bit simpler as it only requires the cartridges to be changed out roughly 2 times a year depending on the system and usage. 

Maintenance Free Systems

 This system is made up of layers of different media to meet the needs of the customer and the water in their area.  It removes the minerals and stores them until the regeneration cycle. This system also requires access to the drainage system for the regeneration cycle and does not last as long as other types of systems and requires either the system or the media be replaced about every 5 years here in the Phoenix metropolitan area. 

The Bottom Line When It Comes To Preventing Calcium From Building Up On Your Fixtures

Preventing calcium buildup in the first place can help you to avoid the hassle of having to clean away the limescale on a regular basis. The number one way to prevent the issue is installing a water treatment system. Water softeners and other treatment systems eliminate or neutralize minerals such as calcium and magnesium from a home’s water supply. Water treatment systems eliminate that hard to clean limescale off your plumbing fixtures. So, if you’re tired of constantly cleaning that calcium build up on your fixtures or you would just like the water in your household to be healthier and/or purer maybe it’s time for a water treatment system. Installing a water treatment system removes those contaminants from your water. It can also provide your household with cleaner, better tasting water. If you’re interested in purchasing a water treatment system contact our professional plumbers. We have a team of experienced professionals that help with you with installing a water treatment system. 

Plumbing Services in Phoenix & Beyond

When you’ve found yourself in need of emergency plumbing services or a 24 hour plumber in the Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, or Chandler area, you can trust Robins Plumbing. We will provide you with prompt and expert care!  Contact our team today! In addition to our slab leak repairs, we also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services, including: drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, sewer camera inspection and locating, backflow prevention, commercial and residential jetting, water treatments, and more. Visit our reviews online to see what others have to say about our local plumbing company!