Hard water in Belgium: what does it do to your boiler and appliances?

Do you regularly find white marks on your taps? Does your shower head scale up quickly? Does your water heater need a lot of maintenance? The problem may be linked to the hardness of your water.

The term "hard water" refers to water containing a significant amount of calcium and magnesium. Hardness is commonly expressed in French degrees (°f). As a guide: below 20 °f, water is soft; from 20 to 30 °f, moderately hard; above 30 °f, very hard.

The phenomenon is particularly visible when water is heated. Equipment that produces hot water is therefore the first affected: deposits appear on exchange surfaces, heating elements, taps and other components.

Deposits can reduce the performance of exchange surfaces and increase maintenance needs, particularly on equipment that regularly produces domestic hot water. Softening does not replace boiler maintenance: the two are complementary.

A softener reduces water hardness, generally using an ion-exchange resin. It limits limescale deposits, protects equipment and improves comfort of use.

No. Hard water can be perfectly potable. The value of a softener depends on the measured hardness, consumption, the type of installation, hot water production and the owner's expectations.

A softener must be properly set and maintained. The aim is not water at 0 °f but properly balanced water: the SWDE recommends keeping hardness above 10 °f.

Weber Water advises you on water analysis, filtration, softening, softener servicing and maintenance. The aim: a solution consistent with your water and your installation.