Hard water has a high concentration of minerals like calcium and magnesium and when the water evaporates it leaves behind mineral deposits, that is why you usually find limescale in places like your faucets or shower heads. However, limescale can also affect your appliances like your dishwasher, washing machine, and coffee maker and can damage them. Limescale can build-up quickly if not addressed and will become hard and challenging to remove. It can also lead to an increase in your water and electricity bill, a decrease in water pressure due to clogged pipes and the damage caused by unaddressed limescale can be expensive. The best things you can do are try to prevent it from happening and if it does happen remove it as quickly as possible.
Let’s go over some ways to prevent and remove limescale from your home.
1. Install a Water Softener. We have a whole blog post on the benefits of installing a water softener but if you are still on the fence, another benefit is preventing limescale. A water softener will remove the minerals in your hard water like calcium and magnesium that cause limescale in the first place.
2. Use Water Filters. Water filters are another option that can remove unwanted minerals from your hard water. Just install them on the faucets or taps in your home.
3. Use a Descaler System and a Magnetic Water Conditioner. Descalers use magnets to attract calcium deposits and remove them out of your pipes and remove lime buildup.
4. Install Stainless Steel Pipes. Not only do stainless steel pipes last longer, are easier to clean and maintain but they are also less likely to develop limescale buildup and do not rust like copper pipes do. They are a good choice for areas where limescale buildup is likely to occur like your bathroom or kitchen.
5. Clean Your Plumbing Regularly. It’s a good idea to clean your pipes and the inside of your faucets every week using a pipe snake, pipe wrench or small garden hose to remove any limescale buildup from your pipes. Doing this weekly can help to prevent too much buildup. To clean the inside of your pipes and prevent limescale buildup you should run hot water down your drains daily. Additionally, you can mix one part baking soda with two parts vinegar and pour it down the inside of your pipes, wait 20 minutes and then run hot water to flush it out.
6. Inspect Your Appliances Regularly. Any appliances that use water in your home such as your washing machine and dishwasher can end up with a layer of limescale as well. It’s important to inspect your appliances regularly and clean them to prevent buildup. Limescale buildup on your appliances can cause long-term damage, poor performance and ultimately lead to you having to replace them more often.
Not only can limescale damage your pipes and appliances but in large quantities can even be detrimental to our health. It can lead to indigestion, diarrhea and could also contribute to kidney stones. Protect your home and you and your family’s health by preventing and removing limescale.
Call HR Silicon Valley Plumbers today to get a water softener installed or for more assistance with limescale in your home.
