Hi we have always filtered our tap water and used to live in the Limousin. This stopped the kettle from scaling up etc.

Just moved to the Charente Maritime and we are filtering water again into a filter jug and the water is coming through a filter under the sink, already fitted when we moved in. However within two days the kettle is white inside and we are taking chunks of scale out. We are currently using two kettles, cleaning one and using one.

Is this normal for the Maritime? Is there anything else we can do to reduce this build up?

Jack

Ooooh yeah! Charente maritime is all chalk, with a very thin layer of top soil, the water is very very hard. I would advise you to use "anti calcaire" tablets in your washing machine and you will find you need to put salt in your dish washer often, and use "eau déminéralisée! in your steam iron, supermarket stock it in small and large containers. Also check you water heater at least once a month, opening and closing valves other wise they seize up (just happened to us).

As for the kettle, make sure you only boil what you need and empty the remainder out or you are likely to get "tea bergs" as my daughter calls them : bit of scale floating in your tea :O)

Once a month, or when it needs it, boil some clear spirit vinegar in it, about quater or half a pint, and rince thorougly, same with coffee machines, filter through some spirit vinegar. The alternative is to only use a low mineral bottled water in your kettle and coffee machine, Volvic is the best, this is what my French Mother does, I think it's a bit crazy, but she has had her kettle and coffee machine for 20 yrs or more!

I lived in very soft water area in the UK, no need for salts and softener or even hair conditioner, here my towels are like cardboard even if I use softener, and hair can get dull and rough to the touch if you do not use a really good shampoo and conditioner :O(

Thank you for that.

We have filters on our shower head and on the washing machine and just ordered some new ones to be safe.

We do clean the kettle with spirit vinegar (does loads of stuff that - we use it in our washing machine too in the rinse cycle and it does keep the clothes softer).

Will monitor everything more closely now.

As we are searching for a house to buy this is all stuff we need to be aware off in a different area.

Far too much phaffing about! Fit a water softener you won't be disappointed! NOT a water filter but a water softener...we did and it is amazing....I NEVER have to descale the kettle or clean the glass shower screen because of limescale. Best thing we ever did and in time the scaling of the pipes will eventually diminish.

We got one from the UK...cost £440....and my husband fitted it himself..... regenerates every 2 weeks and you add a bit of salt...same as you buy for a swimming pool....and top up the water....and thats it. Obviously it depends how much water you use and ther is only the 2 of us but god it works wonders!

June

Thank you. When we buy a house we will get one, we are renting at the minute so doing the best we can with what we have!

Jack

Water softeners are brilliant for stopping limescale build-up in domestic appliances BUT they should not be used for the drinking water supply, which should have a separate tap.  This therefore would not help with limescale in the kettle...

Little Ann is correct; you should keep your drinking water hard.  Epidemiologically you will have less heart attacks!

See:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3396141.stm