- Thread starter Gragson
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Hopefuldave
Intergalactic pot-mender
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I always use phosphoric acid, bought by the gallon - dilute it a bit first! Available as pH Down form pool suppliers, milkstone remover at farm suppliers, or used to get it by name on EvilBay etc. at full strength (80% IIRC, or it turns to a solid!)
Dave H. (the other one)
Dave H. (the other one)
Gragson
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Another school day
I have a fair bit of high concentrate phosphoric, will google the dilution etc and try not to strip the chrome plated plug holes - cheers for that 
Barking Mat
Cuddler of hedgehogs.
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White wine vinegar seems to be the answer to everything over here.
Hopefuldave
Intergalactic pot-mender
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I've never seen any affect on chromed plugholes/taps etc, using it at full strength, so diluted to eg. 25-30% it shouldn't touch it?Another school day
Dave H (the other one)
Hopefuldave
Intergalactic pot-mender
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I had a quick look at the EPP licence page, and as of November a lot of "dangerous" acids etc. including phosphoric are going to be limited to lower concentrations, e.g. phos' to 30%, so things like pH Down (currently 80%) will be much weaker - I doubt the prices will reflect this, so may be worth stocking up before it happens!
Dave H (the other one)
Dave H (the other one)
Smallfry
HE's Spartacus.
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Another victim of the things that work but are banned by the nanny state rules.
lazybones51
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This stuff is fantastic at shifting limescale https://www.screwfix.com/p/zep-calcium-lime-rust-stain-remover-1ltr/8679f You'll want to dilute it down a fair bit as it's really concentrated and the fumes can be intense if you're cleaning a shower enclosure. Also wear gloves, as it will burn your skin if you're not careful!
rcx132
Philip
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Seriously hard water in the south East to the point that I have to replace the shower thermostat every two years. I've been using food grade citric acid bought off Amazon by the bucket to do the coffee machine, kettle, and toilets.
The toilets are the most difficult. I've had to resort to a mini immersion heater to heat the acid while it's in the toilet to give it the extra punch needed to get the thick scale off.
The toilets are the most difficult. I've had to resort to a mini immersion heater to heat the acid while it's in the toilet to give it the extra punch needed to get the thick scale off.
Smallfry
HE's Spartacus.
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Same here. I have just used Muriatic acid to do ours. I cant believe how thick it gets, being that the water is not heated.Seriously hard water in the south East to the point that I have to replace the shower thermostat every two years. I've been using food grade citric acid bought off Amazon by the bucket to do the coffee machine, kettle, and toilets.
The toilets are the most difficult. I've had to resort to a mini immersion heater to heat the acid while it's in the toilet to give it the extra punch needed to get the thick scale off.
I have found that all the super duper supermarket products completely ineffectual.
Shox Dr
Chief Engineer to Carlos Fandango
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ISTR
Calcium/crystal type build up in toilets and urinals can be an indication of Diabetes.
Pigeon_Droppings2
Member
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.
I used a gel like bathroom/toilet cleaner once that obliterated everything, including chrome - and that was after I diluted it! It contained sulphamic acid and some other substances. I've tried buying sulphamic acid crystals and making a 50/50 solution with water, but it had nowhere near the same efficacy.
Gragson
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I've read 70ml phosphoric 85 to 500ml water should be the good ratio for limescale breakdown, not sure how long to leave it, will give it an hour or so?
Pipes are plastic so should be ok, but have read it should not be above 50c water as can cause damage...?
This is virtually full 5ltr, used to use a lot on bike tanks prior to the POR15 sealant, which was waaaay cheaper than PORs branded acid etch BS
Thanks for the advice gents, see how it goes.
Pipes are plastic so should be ok, but have read it should not be above 50c water as can cause damage...?
This is virtually full 5ltr, used to use a lot on bike tanks prior to the POR15 sealant, which was waaaay cheaper than PORs branded acid etch BS
Thanks for the advice gents, see how it goes.
premmington
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Seriously hard water in the south East to the point that I have to replace the shower thermostat every two years. I've been using food grade citric acid bought off Amazon by the bucket to do the coffee machine, kettle, and toilets.
The toilets are the most difficult. I've had to resort to a mini immersion heater to heat the acid while it's in the toilet to give it the extra punch needed to get the thick scale off.
Same here in East Anglia - hard water. I too buy food grade citric acid powder.
Barking Mat
Cuddler of hedgehogs.
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Zep, is the franchise we use at work, it is really good stuff, and generally 'green' and bio degradable and all that.
