HOW TO PREVENT LIMESCALE INTO VENDING MACHINES 

As already mentioned in a previous post, one of the golden rules for the maintenance of one's vending machines is: 'prevent limescale'.

Let's  discover what are the precautions to take.

WHAT IS LIMESCALE AND WHY IT FORMS 

Limestone is a sedimentary rock whose main component is calcium carbonate (chemical formula CaCO3). 

Limestone is in nature as a form of rock and dissolved in water, which retains calcium carbonates when it comes into contact with limestone. 

The greater the amount of limestone in water, the more it is commonly referred to as 'hard water'. 

Limescale starts to form when hard water flows into pipes.

Therefore, without proper prevention and/or maintenance, it crystallizes into a stratified structure. 

The solid limescale deposits have a very damaging effect on the surfaces to which they are in contact..

GOOD RULES TO PREVENT LIMESCALE

The first step to prevent limescale in vending machines is to analyse the water and understand its hardness level. 

Once identified, rely on your vending machine supplier to find the limescale filter that best suits  your needs.

The hardness of the water is not the only parameter to be considered; the type of vending machine on which you want to install the filter must also be analysed.

For the installation of the filter, we always recommend to follow the instructions of your vending machine supplier. 

They must  be carried out by qualified technicians with specific knowledge of the vending machine.

The water hardness must be tested again once the most suitable filter has been determined for the area where the vending machine will be installed. 

It is also necessary to check and monitor the life cycle of the filter so that it does not lose its effectiveness over time. 

However, that prevention is not always sufficient; indeed  you must do the adequate maintenance to remove residual limescale  in a way to not compromise the 'vital' parts of the vending machine, such as: boiler, solenoid valves, pipes, etc. These parts, if not carefully cleaned, can be damaged by the hard water.

In fact, if they are not thoroughly cleaned, you can run the risk of clogging and compromising the operation of the vending machine with the associated costs for the operator to fix the problem. 

Whether you require further advice in the prevention and/or elimination of limescale in our vending machines, please do not hesitate to contact us.