Have you ever had to deal with any problems stemming from hard water in your home? In many parts of Utah, water provided by utilities is considered to have a high hardness value. In a mining area like Park City, water can commonly be discolored or murky. Hard water can lead to mineral deposits in your plumbing and fixtures, which clogs water flow and hinders proper functioning. Installing a water softener is the best long-term solution, but if you’re already facing problems with mineral buildup, here are some DIY fixes you can try.

Faucets

Depending on the metal composition of your faucets, hard water can result in unsightly blemishes or even rust on the metal surface. Encrusted minerals can also lead to clogging or irregular flow. Fortunately, cleaning affected faucets is an easy DIY job for you to take on.

You’ll need a plastic bag with some distilled white vinegar inside. Wrap the bag around the faucet and make sure that the spout and any other areas with mineral deposits are immersed. Leave it for a few hours, secured with a rubber band, and in the morning, rinse off with warm water and wipe the faucet clean.

Showerheads

Cleaning a showerhead of mineral deposits is similar to the process for faucets, except that showerheads are bulkier and have many perforations. Detach the shower head and immerse it in a bag of vinegar overnight. Afterward, take a toothbrush and scrub off the loose deposits. If any scales remain in the spray holes, take a toothpick or similar pointed implement, and dislodge them. Rinse and wipe the showerhead dry before reattaching it.

Dishes

It’s easy to overlook the possible buildup of minerals on dishes and glassware as a result of letting hard water dry off them. Fortunately, distilled white vinegar once again proves handy here, though you may need a significant quantity depending on the number of dishes. Leave the dishes in your sink fully immersed in a mixture of half vinegar, half cold water. After 3-4 hours, you can remove them individually, rinse off and pat dry with a paper towel.

Appliances

While you’re at it, vinegar treatment can also help clear mineral deposits off your dishwasher if need be. Run the dishwasher with a half cup of vinegar and baking soda in place of detergent, with no dishes inside, to clear out the effects of hard water.

Similarly, the application of vinegar can help clean other appliances. For instance, you can brew a cycle of vinegar in your coffee maker, followed by two cycles of water to rinse it. This will remove any mineral deposits inside. However, when in doubt, check the appliance’s manual or consult its manufacturer for proper cleaning instructions.

Water heater

Higher temperatures increase mineral precipitation, so your water heater is highly prone to scale formation, and the buildup can eventually lead to clogging. Cleaning your water heater is a more extensive DIY task, so bring in a professional if you’re uncertain.

Ensure that the power supply is off and water is running through an open tap in the house. Drain off some of the hot water and remove the anode rod. Pour in 1-3 gallons of vinegar, replace the anode rod, and refill the heater from the cold water supply. Let it sit for at least 6 hours, then drain the tank. Close your taps, and refill the tank, then you can turn the power back on.

While a long-term solution is still ideal for dealing with problems arising from water hardness, knowing these quick DIY fixes can save you in a pinch.

Edward Bertrand