Hard water comes out of more than half of UK taps and is having a detrimental effect on the water we drink, the cost of our bills, and our lifestyles.

Aside from the furry kettles and bits floating around in mugs of tea, lime scale caused by hard water damages heating systems and pipework and impedes everyday tasks involving water. Fortunately, there is a chemical-free way to tackle existing build up and make a massive difference to the water quality in hard water areas.

What is hard water?

Rainwater is fairly pure but impurities dissolve in it easily. As it runs through porous rocks such as chalk or limestone, it absorbs minerals including calcium and magnesium carbonate and high levels of these minerals make it hard. The geological make-up of the UK - lots of limestone and chalk - means 60% of households have hard water from the tap.

What problems does it cause?

If hard water is left to stand or heated up, moisture evaporates and the dissolved minerals solidify leaving lime scale.  As well as being ingested when you drink or eat anything made with hard water, lime scale can cause numerous problems in your home.

• Heating and appliances - Lime scale deposits occur in pipes and on heating elements reducing their performance and energy efficiency and impacting on bills. Appliances such as boilers, kettles, washing machines and dishwashers have to work harder when they are clogged up with scale and may break down sooner.                                                                         
• Laundry - Clothes and linen washed in hard water can feel course and look dull and some detergents are less effective when mixed with it.                                                  
• Dishwashing – Hard water can leave behind a dull sheen on glass and crockery over time, especially when using a dishwasher.
• Cleaning – Lime scale deposits build up on baths, basins, taps and showerheads, reducing water flow and making cleaning harder.                                                                                              
• Washing – Hard water doesn't lather as well making shampoo and shower gel less effective. It can also cause irritation to dry and sensitive skin.

How to resolve it

Water conditioning is the safest and most effective water purification system for hard water. A scale inhibitor is fitted to pipes and emits an electrical pulse that causes the water, calcium and magnesium particles to repel each other. This prevents lime scale build up and can break down existing deposits on pipes and appliances.

Existing hard scale deposits on showerheads, taps, sinks and pipes will soften over time through contact with the treated water and, after a few months, the hot water system will be clearer so that it works better and is more efficient.

Water conditioning can prolong the life of your appliances, improve the efficiency of your heating system and benefit the completion of everyday household tasks. When used in conjunction with a water filter system, each tap and water outlet in your home or office will deliver fresh, pure water that is free from natural and unnatural impurities. People that live in the hard water areas of the UK can have the benefits of soft water without impurities, extra costs, and bits in their tea.