When it comes to your boiler, a breakdown isn’t just irritating, it can be extremely inconvenient. One of the common causes of boiler breakdown is kettling, and this is caused exclusively by hard water. So what is hard water and why does it cause such a problem? Well, here at Jenoli, we are boiler experts. As a result, we have produced this guide to hard water issues and boilers.

Hard water

First of all, what is hard water? Well, hard water is water that contains both dissolved calcium and magnesium ions. These are dissolved from different rock types, before the water enters your home. As a result, different areas across the UK have different levels of hard and soft water. Here in Stockport, and across the North West, the water is generally considered to be mildly to moderately hard, with some areas experiencing more problems than others.

Hard Water issues and Boilers

The extra ions dissolved in the water can cause real problems for boilers and the rest of the central heating system. This is because these ions react, and are left behind as calcium carbonate when the water is heated up. Otherwise known as limescale, this calcium carbonate can cause build ups throughout the central heating system.

In the boiler itself, limescale can cling to the heating element, which makes it more difficult to heat the water to the necessary temperature. At the same time, limescale can build up in the pipes, and the radiators to cause issues with the thermal conduction. The more limescale that builds up, the worse the problems will be for your central heating system, and the boiler. In fact, over time, excessive limescale can lead to a full boiler breakdown.

Warning signs

If your boiler is experiencing limescale build ups, you may notice these warning signs:

  • Cold spots in your radiators
  • Rattling noises from your pipes and boiler

If you notice these, or any other issues, get in touch with a professional team as soon as possible. Here at Jenoli, we’d be more than happy to help.