How long does bathroom fixtures last in So Cal area?

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Astute Observer_IHB

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I noticed there are minor pits and corrosions in the bathroom fixtures. They are Moen and American Standard fixtures. How many years should I expect quality plumbing fixture to last with the hard water that we have around here? Or they usually got replaced due to the changes in style/remodeling, so there is very little concerns?
 
It depends not only on the type of water but what you clean them with as well. Some products (example: abrasives and ammonia based products) may etch or pit the fixtures, depending on what they are made of. They should be cleaned with a safe product.
 
SoCal78 said:
It depends not only on the type of water but what you clean them with as well. Some products (example: abrasives and ammonia based products) may etch or pit the fixtures, depending on what they are made of. They should be cleaned with a safe product.
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Any recommendations, SoCal?
 
It will depend on what your faucet (and drain cover) are made of. Maybe yours has a mirrored chrome finish or maybe it's a brushed nickel. It might be brass or stainless steel. It could even be plastic. Having hard water will not damage the drain cover like somebody pouring Liquid Plumber down the sink will and yes, people do that because they don't think. If you're buying one new, read the instruction manual. It will say which cleaners to avoid. Typically, I like to stay away from anything that contains ammonia, bleach, and usually alcohol. Also, I would not suggest using a Brillo pad / steel wool / Scotch-Brite or scouring pad when cleaning it. These days they make faucets with a PVD finish (atom-bonding) that can fade. If you use the cleaner on your floor or oven, don't use it on your faucet. You also don't want to use something like Scrubbing Bubbles or tile / shower cleaner or anything that says it removes rust and tarnish. Keeping it clean and free from build-up will make it easy to maintain with an ammonia-free cleanser and soft cloth. (Right now I'm using Method in an all-surface cleanser since my faucet has a satin finish but there are many different products available on the market and some you can make at home... keep reading....) If there is build-up, you can use a toothbrush and some liquid dish soap (they usually say to avoid detergents) or if that doesn't work you can also try Barkeeper's Friend which is a mild abrasive but I would test it first. You could also try a 50/50 white vinegar and water especially if you need to soak the nozzle to remove build-up. Keeping it clean and dry will prevent you from having to use a harsher cleanser to get rid of mineral build-up or water spots.

There is a book I really like called that is put out by Consumer Reports. It is called "How To Clean Practically Anything". It answers many-a-"how do I clean this"-question. Everybody should have this book handy, imho.

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(My 16 year-old self is highly disappointed with what my interests have become.)
 
The biggest enemy is the scale or calcium deposit from the hard water. If I don't completely dry off the sink area after each and every use, in less than a week, it will have crusty deposit on it that warrant the use of industrial dental tool.

Seriously, vinegar is a good idea, but I hate the smell of acetic acid, so I usually get citric acid-based descaler. Do you think the citric acid is too harsh for the fixtures? The user manual says they are chrome-plated and CNC-machined from a solid piece of ginger bread.
 
green_cactus said:
You can also try the no-chemical approach with some water and a micro-fiber cleaning cloth.
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You will want something to disinfect the germs, though.... particularly kitchen or bathroom fixtures. I have heard liquid Lysol is safe, although I am not familiar with the ingredient label myself.
 
Astute Observer said:
The biggest enemy is the scale or calcium deposit from the hard water. If I don't completely dry off the sink area after each and every use, in less than a week, it will have crusty deposit on it that warrant the use of industrial dental tool.

Seriously, vinegar is a good idea, but I hate the smell of acetic acid, so I usually get citric acid-based descaler. Do you think the citric acid is too harsh for the fixtures? The user manual says they are chrome-plated and CNC-machined from a solid piece of ginger bread.
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Well you know, it's funny because ketchup is actually said to work wonders on brass due to the citric acid. So yes, some people will actually clean brass with ketchup. I have read that citric acid makes a good descaler but honestly, I don't know what affect it would have on an alloy other than brass. I wouldn't want to give false tips that could harm your finish. You might want to Google it and see what you come up with (or stop when the finish lifts.) :) I would assume it's safe if it's in a product that does not contain some of the harsher additives listed previously.
 
Astute Observer said:
The biggest enemy is the scale or calcium deposit from the hard water. If I don't completely dry off the sink area after each and every use, in less than a week, it will have crusty deposit on it that warrant the use of industrial dental tool.

Seriously, vinegar is a good idea, but I hate the smell of acetic acid, so I usually get citric acid-based descaler. Do you think the citric acid is too harsh for the fixtures? The user manual says they are chrome-plated and CNC-machined from a solid piece of ginger bread.
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This is why I have insisted that in all three homes I have owned that a soft water system be installed within two months of moving in. Problem solved!
 
My neigbhor have water softener installed, but he complainted about not feeling "right" when he take shower due to the slimy and feeling that the soap never get risen off completely. I will definitely look into it again when I get my next house.
 
Astute Observer said:
My neigbhor have water softener installed, but he complainted about not feeling "right" when he take shower due to the slimy and feeling that the soap never get risen off completely. I will definitely look into it again when I get my next house.
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This is really not a problem, it just takes some getting used to. The soap is off of you but the water itself is soft so you still have that "slimy" feeling that I prefer to now call that "silky" feeling. Once you are used to it you won't be able to go back. When we run out of salt (the little indicator we had in our laundry room was lost long ago), I know immediately by the feel of the water. Your skin doesn't get dried out, you use about 1/3 of the soap for bathing, shampooing, laundry, and dishes, so it's actually a long-term money saver. All of those benefits are in addition to not having to deal with all of the cleaning issues that result from hard water (that's the only reason I have always purchased a system). Just don't get ripped off by the crazy salespeople and their pitches, if you do go with one of those companies, let them walk out the door and call them back the next day. By the time they head for the door, the price drops about 50%.
 
tmare said:
Astute Observer said:
The biggest enemy is the scale or calcium deposit from the hard water. If I don't completely dry off the sink area after each and every use, in less than a week, it will have crusty deposit on it that warrant the use of industrial dental tool.

Seriously, vinegar is a good idea, but I hate the smell of acetic acid, so I usually get citric acid-based descaler. Do you think the citric acid is too harsh for the fixtures? The user manual says they are chrome-plated and CNC-machined from a solid piece of ginger bread.
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This is why I have insisted that in all three homes I have owned that a soft water system be installed within two months of moving in. Problem solved!
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I had thought about that, and then learned that the salt based ones were not so environmentally friendly. Apparently the salts are very bad in the waste water discharge.

To me, the hard water is no big deal. AO - You may need to re-screw off/on the aerators on your faucets if two weeks use creates bad build up. That strikes me as *very* excessive and indicative of a different problem. Have you tried CLR? It works pretty well and is safe enough to work in your coffeemaker.
 
CLR sounds like more potent, but it is just another citric acid (and other acid to cope with rust and lime, etc.) cleaner, but the worst thing, according to the google I did, is that it smells and must used in a well ventilated area. I don't like acetic acid, and i certainly don't like the smell of CLR, I feel.
 
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