There’s something in the water – and we don’t like it any more than you do!

We often get asked about the issue of scale and hard water in some of the regions around the UK.

Without a doubt a build-up of limescale can adversely affect many of our favourite kitchen appliances. Dishwashers, washing machines and boiling water taps are perhaps the most obvious, but limescale is also a problem for steam ovens, irons, steam cleaners, sinks and taps; and even sanitary ware and shower screens. 

We have a strangely complacent view of our water quality as a nation.  When you consider that we pay not inconsiderable sums for a clean drinking water supply, it is remarkable how little we demand from the water providers in terms of quality in return for our hard earned money. 

We also wonder whether, over time, the build-up of limescale might affect the accuracy of the water meters that now determine how much water most of us use and therefore how much we must pay.  

Why are our water companies not investing in large in-pipe scale filters to eliminate the worst of the excess minerals which cause limescale before the water reaches us?  Surely, collecting limescale centrally and disposing of it on a regular basis would lead to fewer problems in the wider water network and in our homes?  We’d also consume less water if we weren’t continually cleaning off water marks; and we’d be greener too, if we could use fewer cleaning products – particularly harsh anti-limescale ones. 

At Quooker we go to some lengths to tackle the limescale problem.  For years we’ve provided de-scaling kits with a range of options.  We can send you a kit that you can use yourself or give to your own installer to complete a descale of your Quooker.  Or you can call in one of our own dedicated experts to descale your Quooker for you.  

Our new Scale control filter

Now we’ve gone a step further and done what we think the water companies ought to be doing.  We’ve developed a scale filter that you can fit to take out the excess minerals before they reach your Quooker tap, making it very low maintenance indeed.   It can be used equally well with an existing tap or a new one.  But it is odd that we’ve had to do this when the water companies should be able to treat the water more thoroughly to eliminate much of the ‘hardness’.

If you discovered that poor quality petrol had damaged your vehicle’s engine, you’d be cross with, and protest to, the petrol company – we’ve seen it happen.  Yet when valuable kitchen appliances are affected by limescale, we don’t seem to get mad with the water companies.

Maybe it’s time we did?  

Food for thought next time you pay your water bill.  

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