Bathroom stains are not only annoying and unsightly, but they might also mean that something is wrong with your plumbing. You need to understand why bathrooms develop stains for you to deal with the problem. Below are some causes and remedies for these stains.
Causes
Like other parts of your house, the bathroom stains come from different sources. Below are some of the sources you should worry about.
Toilet Spills and Leaks
Toilet wastes can spill to the floor, walls, and nearby fixtures. The wastes can cause stains in multiple ways. For example, urine can discolor some surfaces. Bacteria can also feed on the wastes and stain your bathroom. Toilet spills can occur when you flush the toilet with the lid up. Toilet defects, such as the degradation of the toilet seal, can also lead to leaks that might eventually stain your bathroom.
Minerals in Hard Water
Hard water contains different minerals, such as calcium and magnesium salts. Spills, leaks, and even normal bathroom use can leave hard water on bathroom surfaces for a long time. Some of the minerals might remain on and stain your bathroom surfaces when the water evaporates.
The minerals in hard water can also react with other chemicals, such as cleaning solutions, to form solid compounds. For example, chlorine (a common ingredient in bleach) can react with magnesium minerals and form solids that stain the bathroom.
Corrosion
Metal parts of your bathroom can also corrode and stain the bathroom with rust. The risk of corrosion is high in the bathroom, and corrosion thrives in moist areas. Bathroom metal pipes usually have paint or coatings to prevent corrosion, but these wear out over time, exposing the metal underneath.
Prevention and Remedies
You can keep your bathroom spotlessly clean if you know how to prevent and deal with stains. The following measures can help.
Regular Cleaning
Clean your bathroom regularly. That is one of the best ways to keep stains at bay. Regular cleaning takes care of stains before they become a real problem:
- Get rid of toilet spills before they stain the bathroom surfaces. Wash away hard water deposits that are just starting to form.
Cleaning can also get rid of existing stains, especially if you get a bit creative. Here are a few cleaning solutions that can help:
- Soak the stained surfaces in vinegar overnight and rinse them off in the morning.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the stained surfaces, let it sit overnight, and clean it in the morning.
- Rub rusted surfaces with a pumice stone to reveal clean surfaces.
- Use a combination of vinegar and baking soda or vinegar and lemon juice to clean stained surfaces.
- Use these cleaning solutions regularly to prevent the stains from setting.
Bathroom Maintenance
Maintain your bathroom and its plumbing system to prevent spills and leaks that can cause stains. Fix leaking pipes, toilets, and taps as soon as possible to avoid water or waste spills all over the bathroom.
Water Softener Installation
Even if your bathroom is always clean, it can suffer from hard water stains if you use hard water. Install a water softener to soften your water supply. That way, you don't have to worry about mineral deposits even if the water spills in your bathroom.
Pipe Upgrade
Replace your plumbing materials with those that don't corrode. Nonmetallic materials, such as PVC, coated pipes, or metal without iron composition work best.
Surface Sealing
Porous bathroom surfaces absorb liquids and stain more easily than impervious surfaces. Seal applicable surfaces to reduce staining.
Hopefully, you will find a way to keep your bathroom spotlessly clean at all times.
ContactO'Fallon Sewer Service if you seem to be dealing with more stains than usual. We will diagnose the underlying issue so that you can continue to enjoy your bathroom.
