Hard water in most Ukrainian cities quickly clogs tap aerators and shower heads with limescale, while the humidity in bathrooms and cellars takes its toll on metal taps, valves and nuts.
WD-40 products help with many small plumbing jobs: reassembling parts after cleaning without them binding, protecting stopcocks from rust, freeing a seized nut and removing surface rust from pipes.
What you will need
Important: Turn off the water before you start. Keep products out of the drinking water path: rinse any parts that touch water thoroughly after treatment and run the tap for a minute before use.
Step 1
Clean the aerator and shower head
Unscrew the aerator from the tap or dismantle the shower head. Soak the parts in vinegar: light scale comes off in a few minutes, heavy deposits may need about an hour. Then clear the holes with an old toothbrush and rinse with water.
Before reassembly, lightly wet the outer thread with WD-40 Multi-Use, wipe off the excess and screw the part back on: it seats without binding and will come off easily next time. Turn the water on and let it run.
Step 2
Freshen up chrome surfaces
Wipe water marks and soap film on the tap body or shower rail with a soft sponge and WD-40 Multi-Use, wait a few minutes and go over it again. Then wash the surface with soapy water and dry it so no slippery film is left.
Step 3
Protect valves and stopcocks from rust
Regularly wipe metal valves, ball valves, meters and fittings in the bathroom and cellar with a cloth dampened with WD-40 Multi-Use. The thin film displaces moisture and holds back corrosion.
Twice a year, close and reopen ball valves fully: this stops them seizing, so they work when you really need to shut off the water.
Step 4
Free seized nuts
Trap nuts, mixer connections and fittings often seize. Apply WD-40 Specialist Penetrant to the thread, wait a few minutes and undo with a suitable spanner.
Hold the pipe or body with a second spanner so you do not twist and damage the joint.
Step 5
Remove surface rust from pipes
Wet patches of light orange rust on metal pipes with WD-40 Multi-Use and leave for at least 10 minutes. Then scrub with a scouring pad, wipe away the dirt and dry the pipe. If the rust is deep, paint the pipe after cleaning.
Tip: In hard-water areas, clean aerators every few months: weak pressure from a tap usually does not mean a pipe problem, just a blocked mesh.
What next
A seasonal plumbing check takes half an hour and can save you from costly leaks. For precise application under the sink and in tight recesses, WD-40 Smart Straw with its thin straw is the handiest option.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».