Limescale is a significant issue in your boiler, in your central heating system and hot water appliances. These problems can be short and long-term, and if you don't remove limescale deposits, you might have to pay a significant amount of money to repair or replace affected appliances.
Therefore, people need to be aware of boiler limescale remover products, and whether they actually work. This guide takes you through some of the best options to remove limescale from your boiler, and how effective they are.
There are several methods available to remove limescale or calcium carbonate from a boiler or combination boilers, including:
Descaling solution: This is a chemical solution you add to the boiler to dissolve the limescale. Standard descaling solutions include vinegar, citric acid, and phosphoric acid. Chemical treatments, such as a citric descaler is effective to remove limescale from a heat exchanger in the boiler.
This method can effectively remove limescale build-up, but the effectiveness can vary depending on the solution used and the severity of the build-up. For example, vinegar is a mild acid and may take longer to dissolve the lime scale. In contrast, phosphoric acid is highly effective in removing heavy build-up.
Highly regarded products include Fernox 56600 500ml F3 Cleaner or the CosWarm CW3 Central Heating System Cleaner.
Power Flushing: This involves forcefully pumping water through the boiler to remove any build-up of limescale. It is best to use this method in combination with a descaling solution.
Magnetic Water Treatment: This method uses a magnetic device that attaches to the boiler's water supply to alter the properties of the water, making it less likely to form limescale.
This method effectively prevents the formation of limescale, but it may not be as effective in removing existing build-up.
You have many options to consider including Boiler-m8 NeoCal Magnetic Hard Water Scale Reducer or Central Heating Magnetic Boiler Filter Pack 22mm with Buildcert Inhibitor.
Electronic Limescale Prevention Device: This device uses an electronic current to inhibit the formation of limescale inside the boiler, with an example being the OutaLime Electronic Water Descaler Water softener.
Similar to magnetic water treatment, these devices effectively prevent limescale formation, but better solutions are available to remove build-up.
Professional Cleaning: In some cases, it may be necessary to hire a professional to remove limescale from the boiler. At PlumbGuardian, we are more than happy to review your heating system, including combi boilers and sealed systems, and will gladly recommend water softeners or solutions. We also offer boiler installations.
It is important to note that the effectiveness of these methods can vary depending on the specific type of boiler, the severity of the lime scale build-up, and how effective the implementation process is. Try multiple methods or to use a combination of techniques to achieve the best results.
No matter what descaling method you use, be sure to run hot water through the system to flush it through. Then follow up the hot water flow water with cold water to fully flush through your system.
The frequency to descale a boiler depends on several factors, including the hardness of the water in the area, the type of boiler, and how frequently the boiler is used.
In general, it is recommended to descale a boiler at least once a year, but if the water in your area is particularly hard or you have hard water stains visible on the surfaces in your home, it may be necessary to descale more frequently.
If you notice that the boiler is not working as efficiently as it should, or if it is making strange noises, it may indicate that the boiler needs to be descaled.
It's also important to note that if you have a system with a high-efficiency condensing boiler, it is imperative to maintain it properly, including descaling it when necessary, as they are more sensitive to limescale build-up.
Consulting the boiler's manual or a professional can help you determine the appropriate descaling schedule for your boiler.
It is impossible to completely and permanently remove lime scale from a boiler, as limescale is a natural byproduct of hard water commonly found in many areas. However, it is possible to effectively manage and reduce the amount of limescale build-up in a boiler by regularly descaling and maintaining it. You can also check out our article about limescale inhibitors.
It's also important to note that even if you have a water softener installed, you still need to descale the boiler, because the resin in the softener can become saturated, causing the water to be hard again.
Dealing with calcium carbonate build-ups in a boiler, combi boilers or any part of your central heating system is difficult, but there is a wide range of products that work to remove corrosion deposits effectively. Finding what works for you lowers the cost of energy bills, especially in a hard water area.
