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limescale from hard water blocking drains
We’ve been having a lot of issues with our water and think at least part of the trouble is down to a combination or limescale from hard water and also sand/grit coming in with the water.
Aside from limescale everywhere, we’d noticed we were loosing pressure in our taps and the bath wasn’t running hot water, just warm. After removing all the aerators on the taps and taking the bath taps off and soaking them in a bucket of vinegar, we’ve resolved most of the issues. The aerators all had a huge clog of sandy particles behind them, which was clearly slowing the water a lot.
We had a new boiler last year and they recommended an aquabion, which doesn’t seem to have helped with the limescale at all but they say it’s functioning fine. The water company have done a purity test but won’t do anything about the sand. Apparently it’s a big problem in our area but the water company won’t ever help.
So we’re thinking maybe a water conditioner/ filter or a water softener might be an option.
Has anyone had any experience of either resolving this combination of issues? I’m tired of the limescale, tired of gritty baths and even hoping softer water might slow down my hair shedding
Photo of the grit behind out aerator for the tax!
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12 Replies
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Fit particle filters to your taps and appliances if they aren’t built in. It might be possible to fit one to your mains inlet too, but I have never tried.
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we have aerators that are effectively doing that but then the whole thing gets clogged and has to be emptied regularly. If we can get one at the stop cock though that might be an option
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particle filters go on the inlet to the tap.
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We also have an aquabion – I can’t notice any difference at all, think it was a total waste of money.
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I am really curious did you notice any reduction of limescale in your kettle and how long have you had it? Really want to get to the bottom of this sticking point and been speaking to all the suppliers over the years!
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so upsetting isn’t it, I was so excited to finally have something to help but it’s useless. Did you try to get them to do anything about it?
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no I’m sure the plumber mentioned something about money back guarantee at the time but I’ve got 3 children 3 and under so it’s been one of the many things I’ve not managed to achieve!
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we have just had a webinar that I requested by Halcyon water conditioners exactly to gauge how they worked and and this is what I would consider as follows:
Sediment filter, to trap sand/grit (placed immediately after your stopcock).
Halcyon units are electrolytic water conditioners, not traditional salt-based softeners. They work by altering the structure of dissolved minerals (mainly calcium and magnesium) so that they don’t stick to surfaces or form hard scale.
You’ll still technically have hard water, but the limescale will no longer build up.
They’re ideal for homes with new boilers or heat pumps, as they’re WRAS-approved and don’t add sodium to the water (important for drinking water compliance).
They need no maintenance or power, which makes them more sustainable and lower-cost long-term than salt softeners.
So in your case, the limescale issue would very likely be resolved or significantly reduced by fitting a Halcyon unit at the mains and then adding a sediment filter.
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I think it sounds like the Halcyon system is similar to our aquabion, although I’d have to check. But the aquabion hasn’t helped, maybe our water is just too hard but we still get limescale everywhere and it’s as hard to get off as ever, doesn’t just brush off like they claim
Really useful to know a trap can be put in after the stopcock though, the water company said it couldn’t be done but I have a feeling that was because they don’t want to address the issue.
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They do appear really similar except Halycon appears more expensive but has higher reviews which doesn’t help!
So difficult to tell and from your photos something isn’t working.
Out of interest, how long have you had the albion? How about the limescale build up in your kettle unless you don’t have one. The sign it worked after about 3 months was the kettle not having the same limescale if at all as before. I liked this mark, it felt tangible?
Have you noticed any benefits at all or zero?
Halcyon did a really good webinar for us and two slides that come to mind which was really interesting is the huge link between limescale and energy efficiency but also that there are still variations on how effective they are based on locality. Remind me again where you are in the UK and what are the levels of limescale you are dealing with because they said there are some areas where the limescale is so high its almost impossible tackle. I have attached both slides as interesting and be good to help you get to the bottom of this as this comes up time and time again.
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So on my to do list was the latest report on exactly this subject including the reccomendations for homeowners on how to tackle exactly this issue. I am going to create a shorter digestable version of this for you tomorrow but here is the link published only a few days ago advising households
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I have a whole house filter system with 3 cartridges. You can choose what filters to use depending on what you are trying to deal with. In our area people regularly complain about dirty water. It happens when you are on a water line that has an end point nearby- they have to flush the pipes regularly.
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