Any metal object that comes into contact with water can show the formation of limescale. Limescale is caused by the melting of limestone rocks on the journey that water takes from the source. Limescale dissolved in water naturally settles on taps in the presence of air, creating a number of problems for the proper functioning of devices, especially for private users (showers and taps). The sedimentation of limescale causes a reduction in the passage of water (with a consequent increase in pressure) and also the deterioration of pipes and clogging of filters. In faucets, unsightly deposits are generally found on the aerator (aerator breaker), which is attached to the faucet spout, or on the chutes of some bathroom tap collections. The water settles by electrostatic effect when the flow is interrupted, leaving residual droplets.
How to prolong the life of taps and fittings?
Performing regular maintenance helps us to preserve the product over time. If no action is taken, the product, regardless of type, will suffer premature deterioration.
This also applies to tapware, where lack of care will make it difficult to restore the product to its original condition. Suffice it to say that in the private bathroom, cleaning the surfaces of taps should be done daily and preferably using a soft cloth and water. In particular, it is important to immediately wipe away any residual water drops, which in the long run could lead to the formation of persistent limescale.
This will help preserve the chrome plating or surface finish for a longer time, so that all original features are retained. Otherwise, the removal of deposits will be more difficult and other problems often arise due to an unconscious choice of cleaning products. In fact, aggressive products can irreparably damage the surfaces, going so far as to ruin the external parts or in some cases having to replace damaged components.
However, there are natural remedies that if used correctly can be very useful:
- bicarbonate
- lemon diluted with water
- vinegar diluted with water (which helps brighten the metal)
- toothpaste (to be applied like lemon and vinegar, directly on the surface and then removed with a cloth).
How to behave and take preventive action on electronic and timed taps and fittings?
The tapware products we produce are designed for use in public areas, where higher technical characteristics are required in terms of practicality, ease of use, maintenance and cleaning.
These benefits of Idral products make it possible to significantly reduce routine maintenance and simplify the daily cleaning of public bathrooms. In fact, we use as much as possible rounded, ergonomic shapes with no edges or hard-to-reach points, to make cleaning easier and improve the aesthetic durability of the chrome or painted surfaces of the products.
An important element that determines the functional life of the product is the quality of the water that is dispensed (you can read more about this in this article): it is necessary to have a suitable system capable of supplying micro-filtered water with low hardness. The type of system, whether old or new, can have a great influence. It is therefore necessary that during the design or maintenance phase, the designer and the heating engineer define the necessary requirements to ensure a high standard of quality.
The central heating plant and the final withdrawal points are the elements most exposed to premature ageing caused by poor water quality.
Installation also counts
To preserve the perfect functionality of the tap, it is advisable to choose taps equipped with filters that prevent sand from getting inside and damaging them. The problem of sand is quite frequent, especially in apartment buildings with internal autoclave lifting systems (not yet compliant with regulations) that can easily suck in solids. Sand, in fact, is present in the water lifted deep from the wells. This is a very simple, but very effective operation that the installer can show the user by disassembling the tap, cleaning the filter and reassembling everything. We generally recommend annual cleaning to prevent clogging and malfunctioning. For thermostatic taps, however, we recommend leaving the cleaning to qualified personnel, as the filters are integrated in the thermostatic device.
Some tips for stainless steel, chrome, lacquered or pvd surfaces.
- Always use a cloth with diluted neutral detergent
- Avoid wetting the faucet or shower head directly with the cleaning product
- We also recommend the use of liquid dishwashing detergent to be rinsed with cold water and then wiped dry
- Immediately wipe off any residues of toiletries or chemical-based products with a soft cloth and water
- Do not use detergents with hydrochloric, formic or acetic acid, muriatic acid, ammonia, acetone, bleach, household acids, various disinfectants
- Be very careful with abrasive and acidic components
- Absolutely not recommended the use of scraping sponges (scouring pads and/or abrasive, rough and/or metal sponges) that could ruin the surface.
Limescale and filters
- Check the hardness of the water and the state of the system: if it is very hard, it is better to install anti-sand filters and/or a polyphosphate filter
- Periodically clean the aerator filter (jet breaker): disassemble the aerator and immerse it in a solution of water and vinegar (10% at 20°C), leave to soak for a couple of hours and rinse with water
- In the case of ferrous pipes, we recommend replacing the entire system
- Frequent use of shower heads to prevent limescale build-up
- Ceramic disc cartridges and screws: for washbasin, bidet and kitchen sink items with countertop installation, we recommend installing inspectable filters on the two faucet outlets to prevent foreign bodies from entering
- clean the filters periodically.