Hard Water and Boiler Breakdowns

Boiler breakdowns are not just inconvenient, they can be costly too. Here at RWM Plumbing and Gas, we pride ourselves on our boiler installation and repair services. As a result, we often come across cases of kettling in boilers. But what is kettling, and what is the connection between hard water and boiler breakdowns?

First of all, what is hard water? Well, hard water is simply water that contains dissolved calcium and magnesium ions. These are dissolved from different types of rock, before passing into our water supply. Across the country, different places have different levels of hard or soft water, and around the North West, the water tends to be moderately hard. This can play havoc with your boiler.

So why is hard water bad for the boiler? Well, when the hard water is heated up, calcium carbonate is left behind. This sticks to the heating element of the boiler, as well as the pipes and the inside of your radiators. As a result, it can become increasingly difficult for your central heating system to maintain its temperature, and for your boiler to work efficiently. In fact, your boiler will need to work harder to heat the water, but this will lead to more calcium carbonate. Ultimately, a full boiler breakdown will occur.

If calcium carbonate is building up in your central heating system, you will likely discover:

The ions in hard water can cause limescale to build up around the heat exchanger in your boiler. This prevents your boiler from working at full efficiency and increases the cost of your bills. If you have a limescale issue, why not contact us for repairs and servicing today, here at RWM?