Cleaning Crusty Shower Heads and Faucets

Introduction: If your water supply is from your own well it is not uncommon that the water contains a lot of minerals which make cleaning crusty shower heads and faucets difficult.

For the most part the minerals are harmless to your health but they frequently causes stain and crust build on shower heads in bathrooms and kitchen faucets that are unsightly and difficult to clean. Of course this can be prevented if you install a water conditioner or filter system, however, if your mineral problem is not serious I would avoid a water conditioner system.

Hard water creates unsightly scale (crust) on water fixtures and coats water heating elements causing a decrease in efficiency. Water is considered hard if it has between 1 and 10 grams per gallon of water of calcium and magnesium, 10 being very hard. If your water isn’t very hard, less than 3 grams per gallon of calcium and magnesium, but contains other minerals such as hematite (an iron oxide) your water will have a rusty collar.

This is common in areas where there is a lot of decomposing rock in the location of the well. Unfortunately you will need a water conditioner to deal with this problem. A high content of hematite in water will stain clothes and have a poor taste.

If you have just installed a well or are buying a new property that has its own well and are curious if it the water has a high hematite content, simply cook some pasta in it. If the pasta turns a reddish tone rather than the normal collar of white you can be assured that it has a high amount of hematite (iron oxide) in the water. To remedy this problem you may want to contact a plumber or a water conditioner specialist.  

Installing a water filter rather than a conditioner system will physically filter out mineral contaminates.  Filters are very inexpensive to install. Essentially they are placed in your water supply line just after the storage tank. The filters require replacing periodically but that too is an easy job.

If you can avoid installing a water conditioner or filter system you still may have a crusty mineral build up on shower heads and faucets to deal with. Cleaning crusty shower heads and faucets is easily to remedied by filling a plastic bag about half way with white vinegar and place it over the shower head or faucet fixture. Tie it around the shower pipe or faucet fixture and let it sit for about two hours. Remove the bag and turn on the water to flush out the vinegar.