Due to limescale buildup, over 60% of Britain lives in hard water areas. This means that it is necessary to regularly descale coffee machines, coffee machines, and boilers. Click here?
What Causes Hard Water?
Hard water results from high levels of dissolved minerals in the water supply. The calcium and magnesium ions in the water are separated by heating. They are attracted to the sides or the coffee machine, where they form the limescale.
Hard water can cause problems
Limescale buildup around heating elements in coffee machines and kettles can increase the time taken to heat water. This causes the water to take longer to heat, which means that more energy is required to heat the same volume. The buildup of limescale around heating elements can also be costly. Additionally, the taste of hot beverages such as tea and coffee can be affected by levels of dissolved mineral in the water supply.
The Solution
There are many options available. Here are some:
Chemical Descalers come in many forms. The descalers can be used in kettles at home with Lactic Acid. Commercial uses will require Phosphoric Acid. Nitric Acid is injected directly into irrigation systems for agricultural and horticultural users of hard water.
Water softeners – are Ion Exchange resin devices that contain an organic, primed with sodiumions. As the water passes through the softener, these are released in exchange to Calcium and Magnesium which are found in hard water areas. After all sodium ions have been exchanged the resin is automatically recharged with a salt solution. This water can be used only for washing, not drinking, or cooking.