Hard water scale happens when water that has high mineral content. Hard water scale is formed 
when water percolates through deposits of limestone or chalk that are mostly made up of calcium and magnesium carbonates, bicarbonates, and sulfates. Scale can happen with well water and even city water. Scale often builds up inside faucets, shower heads, hot water heaters and boilers, and pipework, especially pipes and appliances that use hot water. Hard water scale is a hard chalky deposit. Although, hard water is generally safe to drink and wash with, but over time it can lead to inconvenient, ugly and costly problems.
Hard water causes a variety of problems in the home. Stains are probably the most noticeable result of scale buildup. Stains appear in toilets, sinks, and showers. Stains will keep coming back until hard water problems are resolved and pipe scale removal is complete. Some hard water problems are less noticeable, such as scale build up in pipes and in appliances which can cause costly repairs or the need to replace appliances.
Hard water scale can damage appliances
One of the main problems caused by scale is damage to appliances. For example, when scale builds up inside a water heater, it can make the heater work harder and use more energy. The scale also builds up in dishwashers, washing machines, and even in plumbing pipes. When pipes get clogged with scale, water may not flow as freely, which can lower water pressure and cause pipes to break over time. Taking care of these appliances and cleaning out the scale regularly can help them last longer.
Hard water makes cleaning more difficult
Hard water also makes cleaning more difficult. When soap and detergent meet hard water, they do not mix well. This can leave a film or residue on dishes, sinks, and bathtubs. People often see white spots on glassware and shiny surfaces because of the mineral deposits. To help remove these spots, many people use cleaners like vinegar or lemon juice. These natural acids break down the chalky deposits, making cleaning a bit easier.
Other hard water scale problems include:
- Clothes not getting clean and fading. Hardwater is tough on clothes and can make them prematurely wear out.
- The calcium and magnesium content of hard water can also cause clothes to turn gray or yellow.
- A high mineral content can also inhibit the water from mixing with laundry detergents so clothes don’t clean as well. Hard water greatly reduces the bubble-forming cleaning effects when washing clothes. Fewer bubbles means clothes are cleaned less. Germs and dirt get trapped in bubbles and are washed away. Smaller bubbles, mean less cleaning and more germs.
- Issues are compounded with the washing machine is not operating at peak performance due to limescale buildup.
How to solve hard water issues?
There are several ways to fight scale in your home.
- One method is to use a water softener. A water softener works by taking away the calcium and magnesium from the water and replacing them with sodium. This process stops scale from forming on surfaces and inside pipes. Although this can be effective, it tends to be expensive and a lot of work to maintain. Plus, if the salty water can cause damage to plants.
- Another option is using an electronic descaler like Scalesweeper. This device changes the properties of the minerals in the water so they do not stick together to form scale. Scalesweeper is an electronic hard water descaler that is not only effective in reducing hardwater scale, it can also remove hardwater scale and prevents new scale from forming.
- Homeowners may also clean surfaces with vinegar, which helps dissolve the buildup. Regular cleaning and maintenance can stop scale from causing big problems.
If you suspect hard water scale in your home, don’t wait until the issue gets to a point where costly repairs are required. Add an electronic descaler and see improvement almost immediately.