Help please! Shower plug hole help needed !

[NameWithChange]

Hi all.

So, I knew the kind of plug hope cleaners etc you can get but what I want to know about is regular cleaning because of limescale. What do people use?

I had a problem where the shower pipe met the pipe downstairs and there was a build up of limescale that had to be broken down by some waterworks cleaning company, the limescale was causing the other pipe to back up.

What do you all put down your shower plug holes to help this? I have never seen a single cleaner label for this.

Thank you!!

I don't do this but ...

Regular drain cleaners are usually either enzyme based or alkaline (so no good for limescale). Ideally you need a weak acid (citric, ethanoic (vinegar) etc) as strong acid cleaners with a really low pH are likely to damage the pipes/sealants etc.(I think plumbers use hydrochloric or sulfuric acid to clear clogs - I can't imagine this is good for regular preventative cleaning though).

The problem is that for the weak acids to work on the limescale they need to soak it for a bit rather than just pass straight over, and as it has a low viscosity it won' cling. If you think that where these pipes meet there is pooling/water will sit then maybe it would work to put white white vinegar down and make sure it sits for a few hours/overnight before flushing through.

I guess if the water is that hard then the only real long-term answer is to install a water softener?

Agree with the above.
Do Vikal do a gel, or something a bit thicker than water?

Alternatively, what would happen if you poured down a 2L bottle of the cheapest cola every week?

Thanks both. Yes, the water is hard but I can't afford softener. I just wanted to try to prevent the problem.

Would cola really work?

Coke will certainly work on limescale - it is a bit less acidic than white vinegar but not too far off. Coke is definitely cheaper though.

Does the water pool at the place these pipes meet or not? I can't imagine a litre of coke (or vinegar) being poured down once a week/month doing much if it is just going to pass straight through. If it does sit then...sticky residue from coke?

Just had a thought - Calgon (for washing machine limescale prevention) do a gel formula https://www.calgon.co.uk/products/new-calgon-anti-bacterial-gel/new-calgon-anti-bacterial-gel/ . Much more expensive than vinegar or coke though - and I have zero idea whether this would work in drains either.

Thanks. It is all in places unseen - upstairs shower to ground floor all come together from kitchen sink and downstairs shower room.

It just seems there are so many solutions off the shelf for limescale in washing machines/ dishwashers etc. So much gunk goes down the shower plug hole and the limescale and nothing is on the market for that. I wonder if pouring straight bleach down would help?

I use toilet cleaner for limescale down the plug and sink holes once a week. Just don’t get it on any silver/metal parts. (Or wipe it off immediately).
It is what we do in commercial shower settings such as in factories and warehouses etc.

No, bleach is an alkali (you need an acid to react with the limescale).

@Alphabet1spaghetti2 's idea of toilet cleaner for limescale sounds good.

@Alphabet1spaghetti2 thank you. That does make sense. I will try they every now and again and hope it helps