White residue from water - advice please

[magnuss]

I recently moved into a flat at the top of Lordship Lane near Dulwich woods. I've noticed that the water leaves a very strong white residue when it evaporates (hot and cold water) and also that my stainless steel cutlery is rusting really quite alarmingly. I'm assuming this is a hard water issue - but I've never seen it quite so pronounced. Is this a normal thing for this area, or should I be asking someone to investigate?

[Sue]

Surely stainless steel doesn't rust???

[magnuss]

It can under some circumstances or maybe they're just regular steel. Point is, I'm getting this heavy white residue on everything and my cutlery is rusting - which it's never done anywhere else I've lived before - which is a bit concerning...

[Peckhamrye]

The white residue is limescale, not sure about the rust though...

[rcmacf]

You can have a filter fitted to your mains to remove the hardness of the water. It's not a cheap to do, at around ?1800 fitted, for a full mains system, and not ideal if you are renting - although you could take it with you, of course. There are other options, such as having a filter fitted to your drinking taps.

I'ts harmless, but can be a pain, cloud your glass items, and the like.

[southeastelectric]

Cold water should not give you that ...

Running hot water and having your problems will indicate boiler service (at least)

---> cold water runs from the same source as for anyone around .

Hot with white stains ...... It's not a drinking water as it runs through the boiler.

Simple

[JohnL]

I get hard water marks from cold water - toilet for instance

although it's worst in the kettle etc.

You get brown marks from hard water too (iron in the water).

White Vinegar seems to be many peoples solution :)

http://www.housecleaningcentral.com/en/cleaning-tips/stain-removal/hard-water.html