Limescale removal is a never-ending chore. Unblocking clogged showerheads, descaling kettles and appliances, scraping the crust of taps and toilets, the list goes on. Not only is this unsightly, but it is also expensive and time-consuming to remove. Every year, the average UK home spends more than £400 on products to combat the impacts of limescale. An extra £200 is spent on increased energy expenses if heating components are encrusted by only 1mm of limescale. Unfortunately, limescale doesn’t end there; it’s what you can’t see within your kitchen appliances, boilers, and pipes that cause costly repairs or even complete failure if the damage is irreversible.
What is limescale and why is it caused by hard water cause?
Water isn’t naturally hard, it occurs when rainwater passes through bedrock collecting minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the ground. These minerals remain in the water as it enters your home, making it hard water. When the hard water is cold these minerals cause no issues. It’s only when the water is heated and then evaporates does it leaves behind the mineral deposits that collect together forming what is commonly known as limescale. As softened water is free from these minerals, limescale can no form.
Stop limescale entering your home with a water softener and enjoy the benefits
No more scraping and descaling
Save time and money as you’ll no longer need a cupboard full of abrasive limescale removers or the time needed to scrape the build up of scale away. Your home will look cleaner and shinier with less effort from you.
Protects your boiler and appliances from limescale damage
When limescale is absent, products operate more effectively, allowing them to heat water as intended and serve you longer. With uncompromised products you’ll save money on energy bills, unnecessary repairs or unexpected replacements.
Rid your home of limescale for good
The ultimate benefit to a water softener is that your home will be protected from the relentless damaging impact of limescale for as long as you have your softener. It’s a simple and highly effective, sustainable solution to your limescale problems.
The best limescale removers are chemical-free and low-maintenance
Water softeners are chemical-free, using a process called ‘ion exchange’ to naturally remove the minerals in hard water to make it soft again. All that is required is the addition of salt to the softener every 6 to 8 weeks depending on usage, to wash away the extracted minerals from the tanks. The salt is only used to clean away the minerals from the softener and the tanks are thoroughly rinsed through after. Therefore, only trace amounts of salt may enter the water supply. There’s actually more salt in a glass of milk than in softened water.
Your entire home will be free from limescale, helping it shine
With a water softener, you won’t need to buy separate limescale removers, descalers for toilets, taps, kettles and appliances, or even salt for dishwashers. A single water softener can support the needs of your whole family and home for many years. Upon installation you will instantly see the difference as your surfaces will shine, the showerhead will be free from limescale blockages and your glasses and cutlery will no longer be covered in watermarks.
Protect instant hot water taps from limescale damage and failures
Instant hot water taps like those from Quooker are a great addition to your kitchen. However, one of the main causes for repairs and failures is a result of limescale buildup and damage. This can stop the tap from working and will require descaling. The most effective scale control for instant hot water taps is with a Water Softener. It will feed softened water free of the minerals that form limescale, allowing your boiling water tap to function properly and last longer.
How preventing limescale will benefit your home
- Lower weekly expenses on cleaning products, detergent, soaps and shampoo
- Save money and energy as your boiler and appliances are free from
- limescale build up so they can heat water more efficiently
- No more limescale damage causing appliances to be repaired or replaced prematurely
- Showerheads will be blockage free and screens will be clearer
- Dishwashers operate better and your glassware will have substantially less marks
- Taps will remain free of unsightly scale build up
Limescale-free FAQ's
Commonly asked questions about the effects of limescale
Is limescale in household water harmful to your health?
No, there is no scientific evidence to suggest limescale is harmful to your health. However, it is damaging to your home.
How do you remove limescale from toilets?
The most effective way to remove limescale from toilets is to prevent it from building up in the first place by installing a water softener that removes the minerals that cause it.
What causes extreme limescale build up?
The amount of limescale you’ll experience in your home depends on the level of minerals in your water supply, often referred to as the hardness. The higher the mineral count (measured in Parts Per Million or PPM), the more mineral deposits or limescale you’ll have and the greater your problem.
Will removing the minerals from my water reduce my intake of calcium?
No, the minerals in hard water are inorganic, meaning they are not naturally found in water. As the calcium and magnesium minerals are inorganic, the human body finds it difficult to extract these from the water, so the benefit is minimal, if any. However, if you are concerned or prefer to keep hard water for drinking, this is easily done by having a bypass direct from your main water supply for a tap for drinking water only. You can even add a water filter that will remove the chlorine and other impurities, just like a Brita filter, but more economical and will free up space in your fridge.