New challenge. Kitchen faucet trickles b/c of lime build-up.

[no_hypocrisy]

And b/c of the lime build-up, I can't unscrew the tip to clean the little screen. I've tried taping for protection/friction but can't budge it. What do you recommend? Liquid wrench or something that can get through the lime?

Thanks.

[Stinky The Clown]

1. Vinegar will cut the lime scale

Sounds like you have a big build-up of it, relatively speaking.

Coffee pot cleaner will also cut it. The problem with any liquid is how to keep it wet and in contact with the lime scale.

Go to a hardware store and see if you can find a new aerator to fit your faucet (I'm 99.99% sure you will). Use whatever means you must to remove the old one. Clean the threads on the faucet with vinegar and a toothbrush - maybe even a toothpick to get deep into the threads - and get it all shiny and ready for the new aerator.

The aerator should cost only a buck or three.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Too cool! THANKS!!

:hi:

[no_hypocrisy]

3. One more question.

Started to clean with vinegar as you prescribed. And the lime build-up is massive; it's caked.

My question: If the build-up is more than the aerator:
A) Will I possibly need to replace the faucet and spighet (it's a "one arm" device), and if so,
B) I should turn off the water under the sink first, right?

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Yes, there should be two shutoff valves under the sink - one for hot and one for cold.

Have you ever done this before? Do you feel competent to do it? It is actually a simple, basic job, but there are some danger spots for the uninitiated. One pitfall starts with those shutoff valves. Depending on their age and type, and how long it has been since the last time they were cycled, they could actually leak. Rarely, they could leak catastrophically.

Without pictures it is difficult to help you, and even with pictures, it may still be hard to help you because some hidden issue may be lurking.

Again, this is normally a routine job, but it does have some potential to cause great strife.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Well, under those circumstances, it may be time to call my landlord.

Nice guy who does home repairs.

Thanks once again.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Oh yeah, if its a rental, call the landlord!

I'm a landlord, too. I'd much rather get a call to fix a small thing than a call to let me know the house is destroyed! :)

[NMDemDist2]

7. i just half fill a baggie with vinegar and rubber band it to the end

let er soak for an hour or so, much less elbow grease

course I'm lazy that way.......