How to Remove and Prevent Limescale

If you work or live in an area with hard water, you know first-hand the problems that arise from limescale. Not only can it be challenging to get rid of, but the crusty, white film often stains our tubs, toilets, faucets, and appliances. If you’ve ever wondered how to prevent or remove pesky limescale, this article is for you.

What is limescale?

Made from calcium carbonate, limescale is a residue that lives in water with high alkaline levels. Also called hard water, this highly concentrated substance forms when calcium and magnesium minerals dissolve in water. Once the water evaporates, it leaves behind a white, lumpy texture known as limescale.

If not appropriately treated, limescale has the potential to build up very quickly. Once too much limescale builds up, it can be complicated to remove. It can appear either white or grey in color and generally feel chalky when touched. When left untreated, limescale build-up can make it hard for water to move through pipes and other household or commercial appliances.

Why you should remove limescale

One of the most common reasons to remove limescale is the positive impact on your wallet over time. By reducing the efficiency of your appliances, you’ll be forced to replace them more frequently. Have you ever noticed your showerhead gets clogged often? If so, chances are it’s blocked because of a limescale build-up. When left untreated, it can reduce your water pressure, making for an unpleasant shower experience. As you struggle to find the right heat and pressure, your bank account is left feeling the pressure from the increased amount of energy used. The longer you leave limescale, the more buildup forms on your faucets resulting in seal cracks or leaks. When this happens, you’ll need to find local plumbing services in Loveland.

Getting rid of limescale

If the area you live in has hard water, it’s recommended that you install a softener to avoid frequent water heater replacement in Loveland. By using a process called ion exchange, softeners remove calcium and magnesium minerals from your water supply. It’s essentially turning your hard water into soft. You’ll want to inspect your softener once a month to ensure it has enough salt to function correctly.

To avoid buildup, you will want to clean and maintain your appliances and faucets regularly. This can be done quickly by wiping off all wet surfaces after use, paying closer attention to areas where water tends to sit longer, like showers and sinks. By working to keep these areas dry, you’ll be taking the right steps towards preventing limescale from taking over.

Preventing limescale

Allowing too much limescale to buildup can have harmful effects on your health. Algae and bacteria growth that can form in limescale causes diseases like E. Coli and Legionnaires. Taking preventative steps is the smartest solution when trying to reduce the chances of limescale taking over. As mentioned before, limescale loves hard water environments and wet surfaces. Installing a water softener or wiping down surfaces are only a couple of ways to keep your pipes and appliances safe. Similar to softeners, anti-limescale magnets can be used to soften even the most tricky waters. By offering a non-chemical approach to removing limescale, these magnets are available in different forms. By reducing the electrical charge of calcium and magnesium ions, limescale evaporates with the water rather than sticking to your pipe walls.

DIY limescale remedies

Household appliances like kettles and coffee makers are easy to descale since they are both made to use water containers. An easy and environmentally-friendly way to keep limescale at bay is to create your own DIY remover.

1. Vinegar

Vinegar is a strong acid agent that can work wonders at removing limescale. Using a water and vinegar solution and paper towel, you can say goodbye to limescale around your faucets. Simply soak the paper towel and leave it wrapped around the faucet with an elastic band for at least an hour.

If you’re noticing a crusty, white residue growing at the bottom of your kettle, you can also use vinegar to keep your appliances from being taken over. Fill about 2 cups of white vinegar to equal parts water and let the coffee maker or kettle run through a full cycle. Rinse appliances out, fill them with clean water, repeat, and your all set.

2. Homemade paste for faucets

Combining one part water with three parts baking soda, you can create your own paste that can be applied onto faucets to remove limescale. Let it sit for at least an hour. Once you’re finished, just wipe the paste and limescale away.

3. Lemon juice

Most of us have lemons or lemon juice lying around. Combine pure lemon juice into a spray bottle with two parts water and spritz around the affected areas, and let interest for 30 minutes to an hour. You’ll need to respray the site every 15 minutes to keep the liquid from drying out. When you’re done, just wipe away using a clean, soft cloth. You’ll need two or more lemons if using real ones.

4. Borax Solution

Sometimes it can be challenging to maintain toilet surfaces from limescale buildup. If not treated immediately, limescale can become very hard to remove. When this happens, you need more than vinegar and lemons to scrape it away. Combining borax with water, you can create a mixture that works wonders at getting rid of the thick deposit.

Limescale across the Industry

Industrial facilities like factories, plants, and warehouses are also susceptible to limescale deposits affecting their daily operations’ efficiency. When limescale builds up on factory equipment, it increases the machinery’s energy to operate appropriately—resulting in higher energy bills and affecting your bottom line.

Professional limescale removal

Plumbers and excavating contractors in Loveland use top-quality equipment and state-of-the-art methods for clearing out any pipe or drainage blocks. Hiring a professionally trained plumber to manage and maintain your property’s plumbing in Loveland will ensure limescale blockages won’t occur. They can also give you the knowledge needed to fix minor issues on your own.