Hard water in Cricklade, and what helps.
White marks on the taps, a crusty kettle, a shower that won't spray straight? That's limescale from hard water, and Cricklade has plenty of it.
milligrams of calcium carbonate per litre, in published figures for the Cricklade water supply zone. That puts Cricklade among the harder-water areas in the UK.
Check your own postcode on your water supplier's water quality page.
What hard water does
- Kettles and coffee machines fur up and take longer to boil.
- Shower heads block, so the spray goes sideways.
- Taps, tiles and glass get white, chalky marks.
- Washing machines and dishwashers work harder and wear sooner.
Hard water is safe to drink. It's the scale it leaves behind that causes the trouble.
Limescale, before and after.
Drag the line across each picture. Not sure what will work on yours? Send Paul a photo.
Illustrative pictures. Results depend on how bad the scale is and what you use.
Ask Paul what's in today.
Bring a photo of the problem, or WhatsApp it, and Paul will point you to the right thing.
A descaler once a month keeps them working and boiling faster.
A limescale spray for marks, and a soak for blocked shower heads.
A regular machine descaler protects the heating element.
Questions
Is hard water safe to drink?
Yes. Hard water is safe to drink. The minerals that make it hard are what leave limescale behind when water is heated or dries.
How often should I descale the kettle?
In a hard-water area like Cricklade, about once a month, or as soon as you see a white layer inside.
Can Paul order something in?
Yes. If it's not on the shelf, send Paul a photo or the name and he'll order it in for you.