Many people know that across the UK, the water supplied into our homes is either hard or soft. But what does this mean? And how does limescale affect boiler efficiency? Well, here at K and M Maintenance, we are experts at all things boiler related and this is our guide to hard water.
What is hard water?
Hard water is water that contains calcium and magnesium ions. These are dissolved in the water from rock types, which is why different areas in the UK have different levels of soft or hard water. The dissolved ions make hard water great for developing teeth and bones, but unfortunately it isn’t so great for your boiler. Soft water on the other hand, is missing these calcium and magnesium ions.
Limescale
The main problem caused by hard water being used by your boiler is limescale. Clinging to the heating element of your boiler system, limescale is made from calcium carbonate. This is what is left behind when the rest of the hard water is heated from liquid to gas. The solid residue builds up and coats pipes, making it more difficult to heat the water. Consequently, the more difficult it becomes, the more energy the boiler requires. Eventually pipes can become blocked and cause a full break down.
How can you spot a limescale build up?
Limescale build ups do leave behind a couple of clues including:
- Cold spots in radiators
- Rattling noises
- Blocked pipes
- Evidence of corrosion
What can you do to prevent limescale build up?
There are a range of options to help you prevent hard water from causing a boiler breakdown, these include:
- Water softeners. These are now commonly used in areas of the UK that suffer from hard water. A water softener removes the additional calcium and magnesium ions from the water, before it enters the boiler system.
- Water conditioning. This is a method of clumping ions together with tiny impurities, by using radio waves or magnetic fields. This provides a better surface for limescale to stick to, rather than the pipe itself.
In summary
The ions in hard water can cause limescale to build up around the heat exchanger in your boiler. This prevents your boiler from working at full efficiency and increases the cost of your bills. If you have a limescale issue, why not contact us at K and M Maintenance today?