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Do users complain of unusual changes in the flow rate and temperature of the sanitary hot water, or that the hot water takes longer and longer to come? Sometimes the water coming out of the taps even takes on a rusty colour? These anomalies are often a sign of systems that are clogged with scale and corrosion. Fortunately, Curatec offers highly effective solutions for the removal of scale and corrosion from pipelines for residential and industrial facilities.
These two effects appear more or less quickly, depending on the physical and chemical characteristics of the water being distributed and the design of the systems. However, no sanitary hot water system is completely free of them!
Depending on the area of distribution, water carries a more or less significant quantity of calcium and magnesium salts. These mineral salts, which are beneficial to human health, accumulate in the water as it passes through the soil before entering the drinking water system.
If you live in an area with a high calcium level in the subsoil, your water will be hard or very hard. On the other hand, when water passes through sandy or gritty soils, it remains softer.
The “softness” or “hardness” of water is measured objectively. In Luxembourg, it is expressed either in French degrees (°f or fH) or in German degrees (°dH).
For example, the inhabitants of Luxembourg supplied by the Syndicat des Eaux du Barrage d’Esch-sur-Sûre (SEBES) are lucky enough to enjoy drinking water that is considered soft. This water has a total hardness of 7.5 in French degrees, or 4.2 in German degrees.
The problem is that as soon as the water is heated to over 55°C, the transformation of these minerals into solid scale molecules accelerates. In order to fight certain pathogenic bacteria such as legionella, the water circulating in sanitary systems must be heated to a very high temperature!
Even with soft water, limescale eventually deposits and accumulates in the systems, particularly in the sanitary hot water circuits
The corrosion of sanitary water systems is due to another chemical phenomenon, which is just as inevitable. Oxygen molecules and mineral salts transported by the circulating hot water will cause corrosion of the metal components of your sanitary installations. Little by little, metallic oxides are deposited and accumulate on the internal walls of your systems.
The use of so-called noble metals such as copper, or plastic materials such as HDPE, helps to slow down the process. But here again, the degradation and obstruction of sanitary water systems due to corrosion are inevitable.
To eliminate the limescale and metal oxides that cling to the walls of the system and can completely block it, Curatec technicians use various mechanical and chemical treatments. All these treatments are approved for water, intended for human consumption and are environmentally friendly. They are accompanied by information and safety measures for people and their property, to avoid any problems.
Curatec’s technicians will inject an active circulation treatment into the sanitary water circuits, which dissolves scale and metal oxides as it passes.
To guarantee optimal results, they will focus on the areas where scale accumulates the quickest, such as the loop and hot water tanks. A control sleeve system allows them to visually check the result of the operation, that they will pursue until the pipelines have regained their initial diameter.
The chemical solution is then passivated, neutralised and rinsed, before a preventive film-forming treatment is applied. As the name suggests, this treatment prevents the return of scale and corrosion by forming a protective barrier on the pipes against the action of oxygen. Curatec can also offer you water treatment solutions to ensure the durability of your installations (softeners, dosing pumps, filters, film-forming treatments, etc.).
To find out more about the scaling and deoxidising solutions implemented by Curatec,
To eliminate the limescale and metal oxides that cling to the walls of the system and can completely block it, Curatec technicians use various mechanical and chemical treatments.
Occupants are notified of the operation by a notice board. Our technical team also visits each apartment to turn off the water supply and answer any questions residents may have.
Curatec technicians inject an active treatment solution into the sanitary water circuits. This acidic solution dissolves limescale and metallic oxides as it circulates. To ensure optimal results, our teams pay special attention to areas where limescale accumulates quickly, such as recirculation loops and hot water tanks. A monitoring sleeve system allows them to visually inspect the results of the operation, continuing the process until the pipes have regained their original diameter.
After 48 to 72 hours of treatment, the chemical descaling solution is neutralized and rinsed off using a mixture of water and pulsed air. This technique also effectively removes any scale residues that have become detached during the operation.
Curatec specializes in the treatment of sanitary water systems located in buildings or apartment blocks. Our technicians are trained and equipped to work in :
Condominiums, private buildings, social housing, affordable housing, etc.
Office towers.
Medical and social establishments.
Hotels and collective accommodation.
Thermal baths, spas, swimming pools, etc.
Scale is a very poor conductor of heat. When it deposits on the walls of pipes or in your water heater, it reduces the efficiency of heat exchange, and therefore heat diffusion.
As a result, when circuits are scaled up, you have to heat more and wait longer to get the same amount of hot water.
What’s more, scale build-up reduces the usable volume available in the tanks, which in turn reduces the amount of hot water available to you.
Decalcifying products for the general public are less concentrated in active agents, and therefore less effective. Their more diluted formulas are also less targeted. A descaler for home use is designed to be adapted to all types of pipes, whereas professionals will use specific molecules for copper, galvanized steel, PVC pipes, and so on.
In addition to the composition of the products, the method of application is also decisive for the correct descaling of a sanitary water circuit. In addition to the recommended contact time, the rinsing and passivation phases must also be strictly implemented, otherwise you risk damaging your sanitary appliances!
The duration of the hot water cut-off depends both on the size of the network to be treated and its level of scaling. It can range from a few hours to several days. On average, it takes between 24 and 48 hours. Our teams will, of course, inform you of the exact time required on a case-by-case basis.
We are aware of the inconvenience caused to you and your family, and our teams will do their utmost to get the water back into service as quickly as possible.
However, we must allow sufficient contact time for the products used to dissolve scale and deposits in your pipes.
As soon as the system is back in service, you’ll rediscover the comfort of a perfectly functional network and hot water that arrives without delay!
