Ask Me Help Desk - Calcium build up in kitchen faucet

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Originally Posted by ;

The plumber said that it was built up in the faucet itself and that needed to be replaced It worked for a couple of weeks with the new faucet but stopped working again. Another replaced faucet and it is working fine.

How many new faucets have you been charged for? Before the faucet was replaced was the aerator removed and the screens checked? Did the plumber tell you where the calcium ,( it's really calcium carbonate ) came from? I think you've been ripped off and here's why. Calcium carbonate, along with other minerals will build up in your water heater unless it's flushed on a regular basis. Bet you don't flush yours! When it builds up so much it gets into the system and clogs up aerators. Next time your faucet clogs up unscrew the aerator from the spout and turn the water back on. *If you have running water, change plumbers.
It's easy to flush your heater . Let me show you how.

For long life and fewer troubles you should keep your heater clear of mineral build-up by FLUSHING NOT DRAINING on a regular schedule. Attach a hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run until the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) followed by white or yellow grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). This shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Do this monthly to keep it clear. Now flush out your hot water lines on ALL fixtures that are affected . Now pull each aerator and clean the screens. Be sure you put them back together the same way you took them out. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. Hope this helps and thank you for rating my answer, Tom
PS. All the plumber would have to do on your first call would be to clean the aerator screens and, if the faucet was really loaded with minerals, soak the faucet in CRL or Lime Away and reinstall it.. Good luck, Tom