Significance

• Calcium deposits can clog up plumbing such as shower heads, making them less efficient--and in some cases clogging them up altogether. When they build up on bathroom tile or pool tile, they become unsightly, giving the area in question a dirty appearance. This is also true of calcium deposits that build up on pool tiles. It is also possible, depending on the type of metal pipes are made of, for calcium deposits to build up in pipes. When that happens, buildup can occur and chunks can break off and clog pipes and fixtures.
  
  

Time Frame

• Calcium deposits occur because of hard water that has a high mineral content. It doesn't take all that long for calcium deposits to build up. In fact, calcium deposits can form in less than a month if the water's mineral content is high, so it's important that plumbing fixtures and tiles be regularly cleaned and calcium deposits removed to prevent clogging.
  
  

Considerations

• Calcium deposits occur because of hard water, or water that has a higher concentration of minerals than soft water. Most commonly, hard water is water that is well water, or water that is from underneath the ground--as opposed to surface water, which is usually soft water. Well water is usually hard water because it has more time to come into contact with natural sources of calcium and magnesium that are in the earth. Underground water also has more of a chance to come into contact with other minerals that, like the calcium and magnesium, dissolve in water. These minerals include dolomite, limestone, marble and chalk.
  
  

Geography

• The areas in the United States that derive more of their water from underground sources are predominantly in the Midwest, as well as a few places in the eastern part of the United States. The Pacific Northwest, Northeast and Southeast have predominantly soft water, and have less of a problem with calcium deposits forming.
  
  

Effects

• Calcium deposits can create many unwanted effects, the main one being reduced efficiency of shower heads. Another effect can be clogged pipes and even damage to pipes and other plumbing parts. While calcium deposits don't necessarily form on clothing or dishes that are washed in hard water, the hard water can cause streaks on glasses and make jeans and other clothing feel rough against the skin. The hard water can also dry out skin and hair.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• In order to prevent calcium buildup in a bathroom, it is necessary to wipe down the bathtub and walls regularly with a cleaning solution. When the shower head clogs up with calcium deposits, soaking it in a solution of white vinegar will soften and dissolve the calcium and make the shower head work more efficiently. The shower head should soak for 20 to 30 minutes for this to work. To help with other hard water issues as well as calcium deposits, adding a softener to hard water can be one solution.