Limescale prevention

[scoz]

Does anyone have experience of limescale prevention systems that actually work without breaking the bank. My area has hard water and having tried electrical units at a £90 cost previously and thrown them away as I could see no difference I am looking for something that works to prevent scale build up as the shower head will become blocked within 2 weeks, it also affects taps and kettles, irons etc. Ideally I would want to keep my outlet low and if you could advise on what not to buy as well as what you know is ok. I was told rightly or wrongly I do not want the ones using salt as I will be using it for drinking water also.

 

[SimonG]

Proper water softener with salt and kitchen tap off before the softener.

 

[scoz]

Proper water softener with salt and kitchen tap off before the softener.

Thanks

 

[Old Account]

There isn’t any other way than using a water softener as Simon has already mentioned.

 

[Pickwickpick]

A combimate might be a good option, they use polyphosphates which there is actual scientific backup for, unlike the magnet/electric snakeoil.

Here's some info on polyphosphates:

http://www.pacificwater.com.au/product/polyphosphate-scale-inhibitor/

Although its called a combimate, it can be used housewide rather than just on the boiler, you just change the insert so you can fit more polyphosphate balls in it.

A water softener would be more effective (polyphosphates don't work as well when water is boiled for extended periods of time) but they are more expensive and take up more room.

I don't have personal experience of these as I'm in a very softwater area, but have done a fair bit of reading up on the subject for my mum who is in an area with very hard water and it seems like a decent compromise and plan on installing one for her.

 

[Riley]

Only a water softener will give you the results you want. The rest are snake oil

 

[Murdoch]

What you spend on salt, you will save in not buying limescale remover and all the time you spend messing around cleaning

Plus savings in all the soap products you use around the house... soap, shampoo, washing up liquid, washing powder .....

 

[scoz]

Thankyou everyone for your input, I will go the salt route.

 

[Ric2013]

If your kitchen tap is not softened water then your kettle will still fur up; as problems go, that's a small one. And citric acid to descale is really cheap.

In fairness, most people can safely drink softened water so you could perhaps even use softened water in the kettle, but we always provide an unsoftened tap as you can hardly install a water system that is okay for most people but not for everyone.

 

[scoz]

If your kitchen tap is not softened water then your kettle will still fur up; as problems go, that's a small one. And citric acid to descale is really cheap.

In fairness, most people can safely drink softened water so you could perhaps even use softened water in the kettle, but we always provide an unsoftened tap as you can hardly install a water system that is okay for most people but not for everyone.

Thanks for that as I have to be careful with my salt

 

[Rob Foster]

I understand there is a significant difference between temporary and permenant hardness supplied from a domestic mains water supply. This has impact upon how its dealt with and what sort of hot water producing system is applied to this supply
centralheatking

 

[Lunchbox171]

I've had really good results using Aquabion products, clients love them and they are way better that cheaper alternatives.. Note that they do not soften the water they alter the chemical makeup of the limescale so that it does not stick to sanitaryware....
Their lifespan is 7yrs to with no maintenance.

 

[Ric2013]

Note that they do not soften the water they alter the chemical makeup of the limescale so that it does not stick to sanitaryware.

Is that not the same theory behind magnetic and electolytic filters?

 

[Lunchbox171]

Similar, but these actually work unlike the limebeaters etc

 

[Rob Foster]

Bath in Somerset has very hard water. I lived there for 20 years.
Kettles shower heads etc. were cleaned using the yellow crystals that changed to green when done. We also had a Declomat pump thing that pumped hot water with same chemicals in it and cleaned out the heat exchangers. Then I made a better one with an F&E tank and more powerfull pump.
Big houses had their own water softener little ones used a combimate with those syphos crystals....which are harmless we used to pop them in our mouth to show customers that they were safe. Rob Foster aka centralheatking

 

[WC1]

@Lunchbox171
I'm willing to believe you, please can you post a link to a independent test confirming their effectiveness.
Thanks

 

[Rob Foster]

@Lunchbox171
I'm willing to believe you, please can you post a link to a independent test confirming their effectiveness.
Thanks

no my post was anekdotal and does not refer to any of my current products , look at the current market centralheatking

 

[WC1]

Hi Rob. No worries , I was just asking lunchbox for a pointer.

 

[Rob Foster]

Look the limescale prevention market is often smoke and mirrors, just like 2x glazing and now solar ...voltaic ...honest people start it and the bad boys jump on board ...I am pragmatic. centrakheatking

 

[batwad]

In fairness, most people can safely drink softened water so you could perhaps even use softened water in the kettle, but we always provide an unsoftened tap as you can hardly install a water system that is okay for most people but not for everyone.

Might be worth adding that people on low sodium diets (e.g. those with heart conditions) and children are not advised to drink softened water, and it shouldn't be used to make up infant formula. This is why you always have an unsoftened tap for drinking water.

They're brilliant bits of kit though, I wouldn't be without one. Enjoy never having to clean your taps again!

 

[Rob Foster]

Might be worth adding that people on low sodium diets (e.g. those with heart conditions) and children are not advised to drink softened water, and it shouldn't be used to make up infant formula. This is why you always have an unsoftened tap for drinking water.

They're brilliant bits of kit though, I wouldn't be without one. Enjoy never having to clean your taps again!

You are quite correct, the legal position is that all properties should have a 'wholesome supply ' of water this in effect means one tap/take off in every dwelling must be direct from the utility , not stored water nor
adulterated water. Softened or treated water might be considered to be adulterated . Its a throw back to victorian times when clean water was at a premium and cholera etc was prevalent , even modern filters such as under sink things are only as good as the filter and when it was last changed, I would not give them house room. Utility water costs about £2.40 per metric ton delivered and is great value, bottled water costs as much as £2000 per metric ton and needs picking up like in poor countries Rob Foster aka centralheatking

 

[tigger1]

Like everyone has mentioned before a water softener will help with limescale. Also another product thats been on the market, called Aqua bion. It looks similar to an inline scale inhibitor that goes straight onto 15/22mm. Hope that helps