Permanent Lime Scale Removal
- Dissolves Calcium
- Reduces Energy Costs
- De-Scales Entire Facility
- Increases Equipment Life
- Reduced Maintenance Time
- Prevents Lime Scale Return
- More Suds from Less Detergent
- Increases Customer Satisfaction
The Soo-Soft® system is designed to be completely effective in all water conditions. In a brief period of de-scaling it will remove existing calcium deposits and prevent them from returning. To accomplish this, it has both a wide frequency range and very high output power. The 2-inch commercial model outputs 6000 milliamps into the coil. This insures the Soo-Soft® system will soften all of the calcium in the water no matter how hard.
As part of the process, the water itself becomes a much more effective solvent. It will dissolve even the hardest calcium deposits of a plumbing system in a period of 90 days, converting them into a soft form of calcium called aragonite. This has a particle size of about 4 microns, or 157 millionths of an inch. This small size gives it six times the ability to dissolve in water, than the harder (carbonate) form.
 The extremely small size of the calcium particle creates another advantage. Heat, pressure changes, and evaporation will not cause the particle to revert, and form lime scale. The temperature required for re-conversion to a hard (carbonate) state is 700 degrees F. Since the Soo-Soft® system is always processing the water, new scale formation is prevented.
The surface tension of the water is also reduced by this conversion to soft aragonite. This increases the solubility of the water making it an even better solvent. In addition, the electrical charge of the water and minerals suspended in it are altered so calcium will not adhere to surfaces.
The end result of all these water modifications is that all pipes, filters, pumps, appliances, etc. will discharge their existing calcium deposits over the initial period of 90 days. During this time, monitoring of appliances that have had scale building up over a period of years is necessary. This is especially true of older plumbing systems and appliances and areas of water with very high calcium content.
In commercial and industrial environments lime scale crystals clog everything metallic that water touches. This effect doubles and triples where heat is involved. Hot water heaters, dishwashers, and industrial cooling equipment foul easily with hard lime scale.
Commercial Kitchens
Water Heaters
Calcium normally builds on the bottom of the water heater tank. The heat of the flame causes the calcium to precipitate from the water depositing hard scale. The Soo-Soft® unit will dissolve this scale. During the 90-day period, drain 4-5 gallons or more from the bottom of the heater. The water will often appear cloudy from the calcium content. This should be done twice a month until the water is clear.
Steam Ovens
 Steam ovens present a considerable maintenance issue in normal operation. High temperatures create thick deposits on the steam jacket, which reduces the efficiency of the unit. This requires a greater heat demand, which creates more calcium deposits. In addition, calcium deposits form on temperature sensors causing erratic readings to the control system, often calling for more heat than is required. This further increases the potential for heavy calcium deposition.
A typical double steam oven jacket will have 100 square feet of surface area when adding up inner and outer steam jackets. It is not uncommon for an older unit in daily operation to accumulate ¼ to ½ inch of lime scale on both inner and outer jackets.
These units must be carefully monitored during the de-scale process. After the existing deposits are softened, large amounts will need to be flushed on a regular basis. If the unit is in daily operation, it may require daily flushing until clear.
Steam Kettles
Most steam kettles do not present significant de-scaling issues. The large drain size makes it easy to flush the unit. Be sure that water is changed on a weekly basis to insure maximum solubility of the water and rapid de-scaling.
Steam Tables
It is not unusual for steam tables in constant operation to require wire brushing of heat exchanger tubing three times a week. In less frequent use, the accumulation often goes unnoticed until the unit fails due to calcium fouling. When the unit is in constant use, heat exchanger tubes should be flushed regularly until hard deposits have been dissolved. In units that are seldom used, filling the unit with water that is changed on a weekly basis will dissolve existing deposits and allow the unit to be flushed of deposits.
Ice Machines
Ice machines will generally not require any intervention during the de-scale process. As the water flows over the components of the unit, deposits are dissolved without any intervention. Soo-Soft® units installed in risers for rooms will usually de-scale ice machines in hallways.
Coffee & Cappuccino Machines
Coffee makers and cappuccino machines in hard water conditions often require daily wire brushing in order to keep them clean. In addition the boiler will accumulate thick, hard deposits, which require the unit to be de-limed on a regular basis. The life span of these expensive units is often short due to calcium fouling.
The maintenance requirements of these units are greatly alleviated after the initial de-scale process is complete. The accumulation in boilers if any, is reduced to a small amount of white powder that is easily removed with a paper towel. Daily wire brushing is no longer required. The greatest portion of any soft calcium is simply flushed through the system.
During the de-scale period, pay attention to any pre-filters on the water supply to the machine. As the plumbing system is de-scaled, these filters may require replacement more frequently. As many of these filters have an automatic by-pass, check the filter for this condition to insure a quality product during the de-scale process.
Dishwashers & Glassware Washers
Dishwashers and glassware washers will normally rid themselves of hard deposits. It is necessary however to use a high quality detergent and rinse agent such as EKO™ Phase 1 or an equivalent product in order to keep glassware clean during the de-scale process. The amount of detergent used should be monitored during and right after the de-scale process to insure that excess detergent is not used, making glassware difficult to rinse.
Laundries
The effectiveness of both detergents and fabric softeners is increased with the Soo-Soft® system. This is especially true for facilities where no water softener was previously in use. Close attention should be paid to the final rinse cycle of the wash to prevent leaving soap in the wash. If any suds are observed in the final rise cycle, reduce the amount of detergent used.
Customer Rooms
Most applications will not require any intervention for plumbing de-scale in rooms. Lime scale no longer forms in sinks, toilets, and bathtubs. The effectiveness of soaps, detergents and other chemical agents used for cleaning increases as much as 60%. Housekeeping labor is reduced with the absence hard scrubbing required for hard deposits. Customers will appreciate the benefits of soft water in both tub and shower.
Pool & Spa
A separate unit is required for any pool or spa where the water is being re-circulated. The changes made to the water by the Soo-Soft® system are reduced after about a week. A Jacuzzi that is emptied after each use will not require a separate unit. Very large pools may require multiple units for adequate effect. Compare the flow rate of a given Soo-Soft® model with the flow rate of your pool or spa water system to determine your needs or call our technical support line.
Pools and spas do not present a concern in their de-scaling process. Once the water in the pool or spa has been completely treated, the benefits will take place without intervention. Calcium deposits will be converted to microscopic particles, pumps and filters will longer create surface deposits, and the water will become silky-smooth. The effects will be noticed as calcium rings around the pool dissolve and become much easier to clean. Be sure to check bacteria levels after the pool has been completely treated through re-circulation of treated water. The Soo-Soft® system will increase the effectiveness of the chlorine in killing bacteria and reduction of chlorine levels will often be possible.
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