Here at Jenoli, we are leading boiler and heating experts. As a result, we have produced this guide to everything you should know about the problems associated with hard water.
What is hard water?
Hard water is described as water that contains dissolved ions of calcium and magnesium. Before the water enters your home these ions can be dissolved from different rocks, which means that different areas in the UK have different levels of hard water. Here in Stockport so water is described as mild to moderately hard.
How can hard water affect your boiler?
So how can this hard water have a negative impact on your boiler? Well hard water can cause real problems for your boiler as well as the rest of your central heating system. When the water is heated in the the boiler the calcium ions from calcium carbonate and are left behind. This is known as limescale and it can build up in different areas of the central heating system including:
- In the heating element of the boiler- this prevents the water from heating up properly because part of the heating element is blocked. As a result you might need to use more fuel to heat your home and your water.
- In the pipes– calcium carbonate can be delivered into the pipes of your central heating system by the flow of the water and deposited there. This can cause blockages and build ups that can make it difficult for hot water and steam to travel around your central heating system, making this much less efficient.
- In radiators– limescale can be deposited in radiators which can cause cold spots to develop within the radiator. This is because the steam and hot water cannot get where they need to go.
For more help and advice, get in touch with the experts today, here at Jenoli.