De-Scaling A Mixer Tap

[Prudie]

I think the answer to this might be take it apart but our kitchen tap is an up and over mixer and the cold now sprays everywhere. I guess it needs de-scaling but I don't see how (when you'd have to pour Viakal or whatever upwards). I know you can get those rubbery things to put on the spout but they are ugly. Any suggestions?

[gingejbee]

Place the de-scaling solution (I use citric acid crystals in water) in the smallest glass (sherry?) you've got and offer it up to the spout of the tap...the scale will only be at the end of it.

[davebro]

I get this a lot - not limescale but some black stuff that partially blocks the nozzle. I just run the tap & dab a finger over the end. It dislodges whatever is causing the blockage and spits it out.

On some taps (my washbasin & bath) the end unscrews and can be removed for cleaning.

[calmck]

Can you unscrew the bit where the water come out. I can on mine and there is a little mesh filter that gets clogged which I take out and soak in vinegar

[alavahalf]

Not all diffusers can be unscrewed from the end of the tap spout. If it happens to look black it will more than likely be plastic .. Dont attempt to unscrew it as they tend to be perished and will crumble with the slightest of pressure.
Do as ginge says and soak the spout using a small container. After a while soaking, aggitate the end of the spout using an old toothbrush and then repeat until your scale has gone.

[davebro]

Hard water is a real bugbear. It's supposed to be healthier for consumption but it sure messes with your domestic equipment. I used to live oop north where the water came from the Lake District - no problems. Then London & now the Midlands where our water comes from ground sources - disaster. Furring up of taps/boilers/kettles/washing machines/dishwashers. The list goes on. Not to mention the extra bathroom cleaning!

Repeated additives are expensive as is home based water softening for installation & maintenance.

Think I'll move somewhere else!

[ummmm]

Isn't white vinegar suppose to be good.

I've seen on programmes where the put vinegar in a bag and just tie it with a band.

[Prudie]

All very helpful thanks, it's brass but it doesn't look like the end unscrews. I've looked up and the hole is covered over with a white plastic disc with a couple of holes. I will try the cup of descaler thing and let you know.

[alavahalf]

Yes vinegar works well, it just takes a little longer than a purpose made product.
I have some stuff that works in just a couple of seconds, but if you leave it any longer, it will take the chrome off your taps !!

[woofgang]

I have cut a plastic cup to shape and I put descaler in the cup and hang it off the tap...saves standing there.

[davebro]

I don't find the usual de-scalers very effective. To dissolve scale they must be acidic but you can't use strong acid with metals so they need to be a compromise between dissolving the scale while not attacking the metal.

As well as de-scaler try poking into the nozzle with (say) a stiff nail brush.

[Prudie]

Yes just working out how to make something hang there and will do it overnight as we need to use the tap during the day today. Something inside a plastic bag seems a good idea.

[New Judge]

You need something like this:

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

Other models are available.

[davebro]

haha! A condom & an elastic band would be cheaper.

[gingejbee]

^...or a condom...(unused).

[gingejbee]

dave beat me to it (if you'll pardon the whatever)...

[Prudie]

Haha a condom would be perfect :-)

[davebro]

make sure there's no holes in it!

[alavahalf]

Dont laugh but for years I have worked on taps and as part of a service I would often descale the spout, as I was replacing washers.
As with every job out on site.. you make do and work with what you have got to hand. For this specific job I had an old section of a bike inner tube. One end had a knot tied in it and the other end was open. I put some descaler into the tube and pulled it onto the tap spout and left it there while I would service the rest of the tap. After a couple of minutes I would remove the tube and the spout was descaled.
New Judge has just come up with the perfect item !!
... anyone want my old inner tube ?

[ParsleyDumpling]

Could you cut the fingers off a rubber glove, rather than use a condom?