How to Remove Limescale and How to Prevent Limescale

How to Remove Limescale and How to Prevent Limescale

Before moving into a hard water area, I didn’t really think about limescale that much but now I know what a big problem and annoyance it can be. When you’re in a hard water area, limescale appears very quickly and you need to keep on top of it to keep your sinks and taps looking nice and fresh.

In this article, we are going to look at how to remove limescale and how to prevent it too. But first – what is limescale?

Limescale is a hard chalky deposit that mainly consists of calcium carbonate. You can often see it build up inside kettles and around taps, sinks and shower screens – pretty much anywhere hard water has evaporated. It is also found inside pipes. Limescale is more prevalent in hard water areas which is a big part of the UK. The limescale is not dangerous for us but the mineral deposits can cause problems with plumbing systems in your home and in our appliances.

How to Remove Limescale

There are ways to prevent extreme build-ups of limescale but there will always be some maintenance needed and some limescale to remove around the house if you live in a hard water area. There are lots of harsh cleaning products available in the shops but for small touch ups around the house, you can remove limescales using things you probably already have around the house:

• Vinegar and lemon are both acidic and effectively break down limescale. You can use a cut up lemon and rub directly on the affected areas or use lemon juice. Vinegar can be used diluted or as it is. Apply with a cloth, leave for a bit, and then rinse or wipe off. These ingredients can also be used to make other homemade and eco-friendly cleaning products.
• You can also use Coca Cola that quickly eradicates any limescale build-ups. It’s especially great for toilets!

How to Prevent Limescale

“Prevention is better than cure” is a quote that I’m sure you’re familiar with and it’s true for limescale problems too. The most effective way to prevent limescale is to soften the water that passes through your pipes and systems as this can help you avoid deposits and build-ups. There are a few ways to prevent limescale effectively:

• Water softeners can be liquids or powders and you can install a water softener at your home’s water supply point so that your pipes an appliances are protected from limescale. When looking to buy a water softener, you have the option to choose either a salt free or salt based system. Both water softener systems are capable of removing limescale build-up so you can choose the one that suits your needs. You can also seek expert opinion by reading product review articles. I found Waterfilterspot’s buyer’s guide and reviews very helpful in choosing the best whole house water softeners.
• Carbon water filters can also be installed on taps and showerheads to prevent limescale and softening the water that flows through.
• Magnetic descalers are another option. They clamp on to the outside or your water pipes and prevent limescale formation and build-up in your pipes.

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