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Limescale is the hard off-white chalky deposit found in kettles, hot water boilers and the inside of inadequately maintained hot-water central heating systems.
It is also found as a similar deposit on surfaces where hard water has evaporated.
These two types of limescale differ slightly due to their origins.
The type found deposited on the heating elements of water heaters etc. has a main component of calcium carbonate, precipitated out of the (hot) water.
Calcium carbonate is unusual as it less soluble in hot water than in cold water, leading to deposits in places where water is heated.
The type found on air dried cooking utensils, dripping taps and bathroom tiling consists of calcium carbonate mixed with all the other salts that were dissolved in the water before the water evaporated.
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