De-scaling/refurbishing taps?

[RichB]

Anyone got any good ideas for my problem? The taps in both of my bathrooms have furred up on the inside over the years, I have now fitted a water softener but the flow rate out of the taps is appalling. Is it possible to squirt some descaler up them or if not I'll have to take them off (and shut of the water etc.) and perhaps get them refurbished, I like the taps so don't want to junk them. Any ideas?

[Elskeggso]

This may be complete balderdash, but I seem to remember vinegar is good at removing limescale. Try using an elastic band with a little bag/pouch of vinegar and tie it round the tap.

[Simpo Two]

Viakal and Mr Muscle Limescale destroyer are my favourites - but if it's like rock inside, I'd get new taps.

[RichB]

I suppose I could try to soak the inside with Viakal?

[MrV]

It might take a few weeks but the lime scale should start to clear by its self now you have a softener fitted

[Ricky_M]

You shouldn't need to remove the taps. You can strip them down to the bare bodies in situ.

The tap head/handle should come off usually by prising off a cap on top and undoing the screw or there maybe a grub screw on the side.

Once the head/handle is off, isolate the supply to the tap. You can the remove the guts of the tap with a large adjustable spanner. Once removed you can do a better job of cleaning the inside of the tap body, be careful with the tap seating (the bit the washer sits against to make a seal) the tap could constantly drip if this is damaged.

Might be worth changing the washers and applying some silicone grease to the moving parts whilst they are apart.

This applies to standard wind down taps, if you have fancy taps, they can be a bugger to strip and you usually need service packs from the manufacturer.

[RichB]

Thanks they are all (6 x of them) wind down taps. I'll give it a try!

[HiRich]

KillRock gel is a bit stronger than Viakal.
Combined with an old toothbrush and/or pipecleaners and stripdown, it may get the prcess moving a bit quicker.