The cause of limescale buildup is the dissolved mineral content found in hard water. If you receive a supply of hard water, you’re not alone because 85% of American homes have the same problem. Hard water can cause a lot of problems in the home from dry skin to brittle hair and the formation of bacteria ridden soap scum. But, the accumulation of limescale is mostly a hidden problem because it takes place out of sight. If you receive hard water, you will have limescale deposits growing thicker in your plumbing pipes and this will even affect your water using appliances too. In this article, we will take a closer look at hard water, limescale, and how you can fix this problem.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water has an elevated concentration of dissolved minerals including calcium, magnesium, and iron. These materials can be seen in areas like the shower screen after the water has evaporated. A chalky residue remains and this is the same material that makes our skin feel dry after a shower. Hard water is hard on plumbing systems and water using appliances because it produces limescale.

What is Limescale?

The most visual evidence of limescale can be seen on the heating element in an electric kettle in a home that’s supplied with hard water. This hard and chalky mineral deposit is left behind on surfaces that come into contact with hard water. Heating elements are especially vulnerable to limescale and this is the cause of many broken water heaters.

There is a direct correlation between the hardness of water and the formation of limescale. The harder the water is, the thicker and more prevalent the limescale deposits will be. Limescale can accumulate on the inner surfaces of plumbing pipes and the most vulnerable materials are copper, iron, and galvanized steel. It is true that newer plastic plumbing pipes are less vulnerable to limescale deposits. They are PVC, CPVC, and PEX. But, even these pipes can be affected if the home receives a supply of very hard water.

Limescale in Appliances

Any appliances that regularly come into contact with hard water can be susceptible to the formation of limescale. When the water evaporates, the dissolved minerals are left behind as a chalky residue. Gradually additional layers of limescale are added until the material becomes much thicker. The dissolved minerals tend to vaporize at higher temperatures and this is why heating elements and the appliances that use them are at higher risk. Some of the appliances most affected by limescale are washers, dishwashers, and water heaters.

What are the Problems Associated with Limescale

The formation of limescale can cause a number of problems in the home. They are:

  • Water Pressure Drops: As the limescale accumulates inside a pipe it will narrow the diameter and less water will be able to pass through at any one time. Essentially, this will lower the water pressure and eventually, this will be harder to ignore. In extreme cases, there may be insufficient water pressure to run various appliances efficiently.
  • Corroded Pipes: As limescale forms inside a pipe it will degrade the wall of the pipe which will ultimately cause the pipe to fail. Some warning signs that this is occurring include pinhole leaks, cracks, and the aforementioned drop in water pressure.
  • Higher Energy Bills: The formation of limescale is especially prevalent on the surfaces of heating elements. As the layer of limescale grows thicker the heating element will take longer to heat the water. This increase in heating times will consume more energy and drive up your utility bills.
  • Shorter Appliance Lifespans: Water using appliances with layers of limescale need to work harder and overworked equipment tends to fail faster. At first, this can be recognized with frequent repair bills, but ultimately the expected lifespan may be shorter.

Can I Remove Limescale?

Yes, it is possible to clean away limescale with a mix of ingredients that most people have in their homes already. A water tank can be flushed with a 50:50 ratio of white vinegar and distilled water. Observable limescale deposits can be cleaned away with a homemade cleaning paste with a 50:50 ratio of baking soda and white vinegar.

In the latter case, plenty of elbow grease is required to remove the limescale entirely. These and many other homemade cleaners can be effective, but there are two major drawbacks to consider. They are:

  • Most Limescale Cannot be Seen: The vast majority of limescale in any home supplied with hard water simply cannot be seen. There is no way to access the inside of a plumbing pipe without removing entire sections of the pipe. If you were going to remove pieces of pipe to clean them, it would make more sense to replace them.
  • The Limescale: The main problem with limescale cleaning is that you need to repeat the process regularly to try and keep the limescale at bay. The limescale will always return because the core issue which is the hard water has not been fixed.

How Can I Remove Hard Water?

As you can see, the formation of limescale caused by hard water can have a detrimental effect on your home. Hard water can degrade your plumbing system, damage your expensive appliances, lower the water pressure, and drive up your energy bills at the same time. When you consider the costs, it’s natural to look for a lasting solution to prevent hard water from entering the home.

The most reliable way to remove hardness from incoming water is an ion exchange water softener. The hard water is passed through a tank filled with charged resin media that draws the dissolved mineral ions to its surface. At this point, an ion exchange takes place and the mineral ions are exchanged for benign salt (sodium or potassium) ions. This makes the water softer and easier to use and the formation of limescale will be prevented. Of course, this will not fix any existing limescale buildup and if you have experienced a loss of water pressure or a cracked pipe you will need to call a plumber.

If you’re considering a water softener installation for your home, contact your local water treatment specialist.