How to Prevent Limescale


Limescale is a hard-white crust that forms on faucets, sinks and various areas throughout your house. It often takes homeowners by surprise when they see white crust and don’t know where it came from. Hard water picks up minerals as it processes through limestone and chalk porous rock and develops on surfaces when standing hard water evaporates. If you notice limescale in your home consider the following tips to prevent it from reoccurring.

Why You Need to Remove Limescale

  • It causes dull or dry hair
  • Irritates sensitive skin
  • Causes the growth of bacteria in drinking water pipes
  • Increased heating costs
  • Loss of energy in hot water systems
  • Low water pressure
  • Dirty looking clothes even if you wash them twice with detergent
  • Frequent replacement or repairs on appliances throughout the house

Remove and Prevent Limescale

  • Soften Water – You can purchase water softeners online or at your local home repair store. Water softeners prevent hard water from appearing on surfaces.
  • Chemical Inhibitors – If you have a central heating system ask the plumber to add a specifically designed chemical inhibitor to prevent limescale.
  • Carbon Filters – Use carbon filters to soften water and provide clean drinking water. You can choose to use filters directly on the tap faucet or use jugs. You can purchase carbon filters at grocery stores and online.
  • Magnetic Descaler – This beneficial device clamps onto the outside of pipework and uses a magnetic field to alter the characteristics of the minerals found in hard water.
  • Softener Tablets – If your clothes look dirty after washing them you can improve the look of your clothes by using softener tablets. Non-precipitating softener tablets prevent limescale by blocking the internal workings of most washing machines.

How to Remove Limescale

Tea Kettles are known to develop limescale due to repeated use without washing. Most tea kettle owners wash it about once per week since they only boil water in it. If you have limescale build up in your tea kettle use a half a cup of white vinegar and a half a cup of water. Bring it to a boil, remove from burner and let stand during the night.

If your tiles, taps, shower heads, and other surfaces have evidence of limescale you can remove it with a DIY mildly acidic mixture. Lemon juice or white vinegar will remove limescale. Soak the surface with the lemon juice or vinegar and scrub until stains are removed.


Mokher Profile PicSince 1968, Chip Mokher & his team has provided South Florida with quality service with a commitment to our customers’ satisfaction. Our many years of experience has allowed us to serve thousands of homes and businesses in Miami-Dade County. We welcome the opportunity to serve you, please call us at 305-446-8266 or email us at chip@mokherplumbing.com