What is limescale?

If you live in a hard water area, you will be experiencing limescale build-up. This will happen anywhere that water touches. Kettles, taps, showerheads; these are probably the first places you’ll notice the chalky build-up, but it will also accumulate in other places, where it can cause even more damage. Larger appliances such as boilers and washing machines are affected, not to mention your radiators and pipework – this long-term wear and tear, as well as significantly reduced efficiency, mean that hard water is not just inconvenient, but expensive, too! 

Hard water is the way it is because of the presence of certain minerals (specifically calcium and magnesium ions). Temporary hardness of water occurs when dissolved calcium and magnesium bicarbonate are present in the water. This temporary hardness goes away when water is heated, BUT this then causes calcium (or magnesium) carbonate to precipitate. This, unlike calcium bicarbonate, isn’t soluble, and causes limescale deposits (look at your kettle and you’ll see what we mean). 

 

 

Permanent hardness is caused by calcium and magnesium sulfates, and chlorides. These work differently, they don’t go away when the water is boiled. This will cause build up in pipes and those larger appliances we mentioned. This can only be removed by use of certain chemicals (white vinegar, commercial cleaners, etc.), or, even better, prevention!!