washing machine limescale tablets in a cistern

creedp

I have hard water which I think is causing the dual flush cistern valves to stick open sometimes resulting in water continuing to flow into bowl. When this happens its necessary to jig the button a few times and the valve drop back into place. Would throwing a few washing machine limescale tablets into cistern help to remove the limescale or is there some other product better suited that wouldn't damage the valve?

Sleeper12

creedp wrote:

I have hard water which I think is causing the dual flush cistern valves to stick open sometimes resulting in water continuing to flow into bowl. When this happens its necessary to jig the button a few times and the valve drop back into place. Would throwing a few washing machine limescale tablets into cistern help to remove the limescale or is there some other product better suited that wouldn't damage the valve?

While its possible that you have some limescale buildup it would be unusual. Limescale builds up on hot things, elements & such. In my house we only ever use the bath element. When I change the element there is limescale buildup on the bath element but the sink one will look shiny & new. Also limescale won't really built up on plastic.

K.Flyer

I would also be concerned about the damage that the chemicals may cause to the rubber seal on a flush valve or the diaphragm on a syphon.

corkgsxr

More than likely just the plastic guides worn. Just change it

pointelle

one thing that'll melt limescale is vinegar I use it to descale kettle unbelievable result you can turbo boost it with a bit of baking powder white vinegar from lidlland their baking powder less than 2e then you can go mental pouring it down smelly drains clean the windows rinse your hair VINEGAR!!!!

Sleeper12

pointelle wrote:

one thing that'll melt limescale is vinegar I use it to descale kettle unbelievable result you can turbo boost it with a bit of baking powder white vinegar from lidlland their baking powder less than 2e then you can go mental pouring it down smelly drains clean the windows rinse your hair VINEGAR!!!!

It's great for descaling shower heads too

RJF

Ah I see we've all read 101 uses for vinegar

Sleeper12

RJF wrote:

Ah I see we've all read 101 uses for vinegar

It's great on chips too.

RJF

Sleeper12 wrote: »

It's great on chips too.

Use no. 001 :pac:

creedp

Sleeper12 wrote: »

While its possible that you have some limescale buildup it would be unusual. Limescale builds up on hot things, elements & such. In my house we only ever use the bath element. When I change the element there is limescale buildup on the bath element but the sink one will look shiny & new. Also limescale won't really built up on plastic.

With our water you'll notice the limescale even with cool water. For instance if you rinse down taps or tiles with cool water once the water dries you will see the limescale on the surface. Same with shower enclosures which get coated with limescale even though water hitting them isn't very hot. Looking into cistern you can easily see a black coating on the plastic underneath the water line. Its easy to remove by rubbing if off with finger but can't get at the inner part of the flush unit to clean it.

Also while limescale might not stick to plastic quite as badly as metal, the inside of my plastic kettle is coated with limescale at present.

creedp

corkgsxr wrote: »

More than likely just the plastic guides worn. Just change it

Thats obviously a possibility but as these cisterns are less than 5 years old and this problem has been ongoing for well over a year now I was wondering if maybe something else was causing the problem.

I may eventually have to change the but have been putting off the job as I have to remove cistern from wall so it can be lifted off pan in order to remove the flush unit

creedp

pointelle wrote: »

one thing that'll melt limescale is vinegar I use it to descale kettle unbelievable result you can turbo boost it with a bit of baking powder white vinegar from lidlland their baking powder less than 2e then you can go mental pouring it down smelly drains clean the windows rinse your hair VINEGAR!!!!

Yea I have used vinegar to remove limescale from shower enclosure. Does a great job but unfortunately after an all too short period the build up is in full swing again

Sleeper12

creedp wrote:

Yea I have used vinegar to remove limescale from shower enclosure. Does a great job but unfortunately after an all too short period the build up is in full swing again

You should invest in a water softening system.

creedp

Sleeper12 wrote: »

You should invest in a water softening system.

I'm actively considering this option at the moment. However, I still need to clear the existing limescale problem from cisterns,etc. Think I will try a few of those tablets and maybe some vinegar/baking soda also to clear out any buildup. Hopefully then when/if I install a softener it will keep everything in order

pointelle

creedp wrote: »

Yea I have used vinegar to remove limescale from shower enclosure. Does a great job but unfortunately after an all too short period the build up is in full swing again

windows washed with vinegary water stay clean for ages if you polish them with newspaper, think the ink is involved, I always mean to try it on shower glass but I am not too dedicated to drudgery so get fed up! try it and post your result!