Plumbing Issues Caused By Limescale
Limescale is a deposit of a chemical compound called calcium carbonate (a mineral naturally found in some water sources). This limescale buildup can coat your plumbing fixtures making them appear dirty and can lead to damages and clogs on the inside of your pipes as well. Water with more limescale buildup is typically referred to as “hard water”. However, there are ways to prevent limescale from building up on and inside of your pipes.
Biggest Problems Caused By Limescale:
- Buildup within pipes making it hard for water to pass through leading to reduced water pressure, clogged pipes, damaged appliances, and high water bills.
- Scale can form in toilets (which is not a very pleasant look)
- Can lead to reduced efficiency of hot water heaters
- After years of buildup, the bottom of your water heater may become filled with sediment.
How To Prevent Limescale From Damaging Pipes:
- Invest in a water softening system. These systems are specifically designed to mix sodium-based solutions with water to help balance out the minerals in the water.
How To Get Rid Of Limescale:
- Limescale is very difficult to scrub away with regular cleaning products.
- The best method of removing limescale buildup from your pipes, is to weaken it using an acidic solution (for safety reasons, this should be done by a professional).
Is Limescale Or Hard Water Harmful In Drinking Water?
- No, it is not dangerous to drink – in fact it’s actually healthy for you due to the high presence of minerals.
- But, it does not taste great as the high concentration of minerals gives off a bitter and salty taste.
- It makes household cleaning chores harder because of the residue left behind. For example, your laundry may be left feeling stiff and even experience discoloration. Don’t you hate when your clean dishes are left with a white film? This could be due to hard water and scale buildup.
Most Common Areas You Will See Buildup:
- Toilets
- Bathroom Taps
- Washing Machines
- Tile
- Sinks
- Shower
- Pots & Pans
- Coffee Machines
- Dishwasher
If you’ve noticed some serious limescale buildup in these areas of your home, this is a good indication that you may have hard water. There are some household DIY cleaning hacks you could try on your own to remove limescale buildup (like vinegar) but this will not solve your hard water problem. The best permanent solution for hard water is to install water softener.
Kulk’s Plumbing & Heating is here to help with all of your plumbing needs, big or small! Incase on emergency, we offer 24 hour plumber services!
