Descaler, for bronze tap descaling? - will Any Descaler do?

Danny_G

When you open a tap up, and you get the bronze coloured inside part (which you can unscrew further)

and a combi shower, when you open up them bits, which are also bronze/gold colour

then when wanting to descale them, will any descaler do?

(as they are stiff)

The question is on will 'any' house hold descaler do?

Can you recommend one you use, which is NOT too pricey, and where to get it from?


Here is a picture of what it will be for

RedbullRJ

I use cheap white vinegar and a bit of scrubbing, works quicker if its warm. Are you sure the scale is making it stiff?

Danny_G

RedbullRJ wrote: »

I use cheap white vinegar and a bit of scrubbing, works quicker if its warm. Are you sure the scale is making it stiff?

Have to open them up and assess, but dipping them in descaler for few hours wont do any harm will it?


yours is a good idea too, (but incase the limescale is within in the components?) where the brush cannot get to?


what do you scrub with?

nofoollikeold

1. They are brass, not bronze. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc whereas bronze is copper and tin (and much more expensive).
2. I use Kilrock or Ataka de-scaler on them. It works very well, best if done with really hot water. However:
2a. The fumes are pretty awful, so good ventilation is essential.
2b. The brass surfaces end up rather redder than before use. I suspect the de-scaler is dissolving out a fraction of the zinc leaving more copper. This can easily be polished back to brass colour.
2c. Because of 2b. don't leave brass parts in the de-scaler for too long. Just long enough to dissolve the lime scale.
3. You used to be able to get Kilrock from Boots, B&Q or Robert Dyas. Not sure if you still can, I buy it in bulk these days.

Danny_G

nofoollikeold wrote: »

1. They are brass, not bronze. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc whereas bronze is copper and tin (and much more expensive).
2. I use Kilrock or Ataka de-scaler on them. It works very well, best if done with really hot water. However:
2a. The fumes are pretty awful, so good ventilation is essential.
2b. The brass surfaces end up rather redder than before use. I suspect the de-scaler is dissolving out a fraction of the zinc leaving more copper. This can easily be polished back to brass colour.
2c. Because of 2b. don't leave brass parts in the de-scaler for too long. Just long enough to dissolve the lime scale.
3. You used to be able to get Kilrock from Boots, B&Q or Robert Dyas. Not sure if you still can, I buy it in bulk these days.

2c. Because of 2b. don't leave brass parts in the de-scaler for too long. Just long enough to dissolve the lime scale.

How long would you say, maximum time to leave them in? (eg no longer than 2 hours) ?

and would you say Boiling Kettle water?

RedbullRJ

Danny_G wrote: »

Have to open them up and assess, but dipping them in descaler for few hours wont do any harm will it?


yours is a good idea too, (but incase the limescale is within in the components?) where the brush cannot get to?


what do you scrub with?

I just use a toothbrush or green scourer. You can also carefully use a brass wire brush on less delicate bits if you are careful not to damage the metal or other parts. Be careful with strong acid descalers damaging o rings or other parts, this could already be why it's stiff if o rings have swollen.

Danny_G

RedbullRJ wrote: »

I use cheap white vinegar and a bit of scrubbing, works quicker if its warm. Are you sure the scale is making it stiff?

Thanks redbull,

cheap white vinegar, you mean you dip it in a glass of white vinegar (with hot water?)

for how long do you soak the part in that?

if you don't then CAN it be dipped in white vinegar? - for how long?

keith969

Use something like Viakil which will not harm the brass / metal.

RedbullRJ

Danny_G wrote: »

Thanks redbull,

cheap white vinegar, you mean you dip it in a glass of white vinegar (with hot water?)

for how long do you soak the part in that?

if you don't then CAN it be dipped in white vinegar? - for how long?

?)cheap white vinegar, you mean you dip it in a glass of white vinegar (with hot water)

cheap white vinegar in a glass warm in microwave without metal parts

for how long do you soak the part in that?
As long as is needed, repeat if necessary.

if you don't then CAN it be dipped in white vinegar? - for how long?

brass will be fine in vinegar if you don't boil in in there for hours, O rings or other parts may or may not, so; as little time as is needed to do the job or remove the circlip, strip and remove non metal parts. Grease o rings with silicone grease when re-assembling.

Alternatively just buy a new clean unstiff cartridge.

nofoollikeold

Re time left in Kilrock, If you take a tap cartridge like the one in your picture., then:
1. Take a mug / jar big enough to take the cartridge. Add an inch of Kilrock.
2. Top up with water as hot as possible. I wouldn't use boiling water as this could damage a thermostatic cartridge, but up to about 80 degrees C should be OK. Leave enough room for the cartridge.
3. Pop the cartridge in and it will "fizz" as the liquid dissolves the lime scale. When the fizzing stops and there are no more bubbles, then
3a. Either all the limescale has gone and you've finished'
3b. Or the active ingredient has been depleted.
4. Remove the cartridge and have a look at it:
4a. If the lime scale has gone - you're done.
4b. If traces of lime scale remain, repeat.

Never leave it more than 15 minutes, and when finished, rinse in clean water..