Community & Business
19 December, 2021
Tablelands water marks a hot topic
THE milky marks left on surfaces by tap water in some areas of the Tablelands was the subject of some discussion and advice on Facebook recently when one Atherton property owner expressed her frustration with the situation.
In a post on the Tablelands Unite page, the woman requested advice on what could be done to manage the marks being left by the bore water that services homes in the area.
“We have renovated two showers and the blackish tiles have a white residue build up. I’ve tried cleaning for calcium, lime scale, soap scum, used vinegar, Bi-carb, meths, CLR, lots of stuff , even cement residue removal but no results,” she wrote.
“Seeking advice regarding testing, filter, softener – any help really to prevent new bathrooms going downhill.”
There were plenty of people from all over the area who had experienced similar problems and wrote to provide advice and vent their frustration.
“Having recently moved into Atherton from Tinaroo and bought a house with black kitchen sink etc. had the same problem. Mr Google came to my rescue suggesting giving it a good clean and then a light wipe over with olive oil,” one wrote.
“I’m in Atherton. Did a water test and shows calcium magnesium and silica. Water softeners will remove magnesium and calcium but not silica. I too am about to renovate my bathroom,” another woman wrote.
“I’ve always used vinegar and water but here in Atherton the stains are terrible worse than my bore in Kairi. I’m still considering something for the water. Reverse osmosis is only way to remove silica but then water is unsafe for us and appliances.”
“If I only knew this before. We done our bathroom about a year and half ago and I hate it. The tiles are dark and have stains on them. I have tried everything!! Someone said to get a tiler in to acid wash them? I hate my bathroom,” a Herberton homeowner said.
“I thought I was the only person obsessed with the residue on the shower glass in my new bathroom. Twenty-seven years in my previous home and the shower screen wasn't any worse than the screen in my 12-month old new home on Halloran’s Hill,” she wrote.
“I live in Tandarra, Tolga and have exactly the same problem. I've tried everything. I have a black car and can't use town water to wash it. I use our rainwater tank. Otherwise, white spots on the duco,” one wrote.
“I shammy my blue car instantly and it looks terrible. Even the windscreen where the wipers don’t get is marked. Going to install a water filter on the hose like we have on the kitchen sink. Or use the car wash,” another said.
Many readers posted possible solutions they have tried over the years.
“It is silica. Northern Supplies sell stuff called water spot remover. Ask them. It will remove it. Or Magic Kleen powder purchased on line,” one said.
“Have you tried the vinegar and detergent mixture you see on Facebook. I lived in Wellington, New Zealand for two years and the shower had bright navy blue tiles. This mixture took away the white residue from the water and the tiles sparkled. Still use it now,” another wrote.
“Actually our glass is good – I use Rain-x shower door repellent (it’s like the windscreen stuff ). I found it in Bunnings and we also use a glass scrapper rubber thing every shower on the glass,” another reader posted.
