Limescale Fact Sheet

Why bother about limescale build-up?

Around the home Limescale can:

"Alter the taste and the quality of your drinking water
"Coat internal components of your appliances and cause part to fail
"Reduce the efficiency of your appliances and add to your utility bills
"Create unsightly calcium build-ups around taps and showerheads
"Limit the effectiveness of soap and detergents
"Contribute to the formation of unpleasant appliance odours
"Shorten the lifespan of your home appliances

If you ignore limescale then it can end up costing you money by damaging your appliances and unnecessarily adding to your utility bills!

What is Limescale?
You have probably noticed limescale deposits building up around your taps, shower head or inside your kettle, but what is it? And why are only certain appliances affected?

Limescale is a form of calcium carbonate that occurs in hard water areas and is the result of sediment and minerals contained in the water being deposited following the heating process. Hard water is created when rain water percolates through soft rocks such as limestone and chalk. The water picks up a variety of minerals, usually calcium and magnesium compounds.
These minerals remain in the water supply even after treatment by the UK water authorities.

Who is affected?

Not every area of the UK is affected by hard water, but it is estimated that hard water it is an issue for around 60% of homes. The impact of limescale on heating systems and home appliances means that every year UK home owners are losing out due to reduced efficiencies and higher utility bills. As you can see from the map below, hard water is a greater concern in the midlands and the south east of England.
How it affects domestic appliances?
Living in a hard water area can cause a variety of issues in the home. The first of these is the formation of hard scale in hot water heating systems and any domestic appliances that heats water, such as the kettle, washing machine or coffee machine. The calcium deposits released when the water supply is heated amalgamate to form an unsightly chalk-like coating on pipes, surfaces and internals components. This coating acts as an insulator that reduces energy efficiency as well as causing blockages.

Hard water is also a key factor in the formation of soap scum. In hard water more soap and detergent is needed for effective cleaning and to produce an acceptable lather. As a byproduct this can cause detergent sediment to build up in machines and this can be a haven for bacteria, which can produce unpleasant odours.

What appliances can fall victim?
If you live in a hard water area then any home appliance that heats water is at risk as well as your heating systems, taps and shower. Limescale can be an expensive problem in larger white goods, like the washing machine or dishwasher, and if not treated can cause internal parts to fail. Click on the appliance listed below for information you need to protect from limescale.:

" Washing Machine
" Dishwasher

" Kettle
" Coffee maker
" Steam Iron
" Steam Cleaner

How to treat and prevent limescale

If you are affected by hard water and limescale then don't worry. There are a range of preventative measures and treatments available to limit the damaging affects and increase the lifespan of your appliances. These measures range from permanent installations to easy-to-use monthly cleaners.

Below we look at some BuySpares recommended products for protect some of the most commonly affected appliances:

Dishwasher & Washing Machine
Kettles & Small Appliances
Coffee Makers

Get the Part: View our range of Other Descaler Products

* All information provided is a guide only. BuySpares accepts no liability for any problems occurred while attempting any advice shown. If in any doubt contact a qualified repair service.