Water Troubleshooting

What You See:

White, chalky deposits on heating elements, inside the group head, or in the water tank. Buildup increases over weeks/months.

Root Cause:

Hard water with high mineral content (calcium and magnesium). Minerals precipitate when heated, forming scale.

Severity:

High. Scale reduces heat transfer, damages heating elements, and clogs water lines.

Solution:

Switch to filtered water or Recipe A (hard water fix). Descale every 2-3 months using citric acid or commercial descaler.

What You Experience:

Shots taste muted, lacking sweetness and complexity. Coffee tastes "flat" compared to café espresso.

Root Cause:

Hard water with excessive minerals. Minerals interfere with extraction chemistry, preventing proper flavor development.

Severity:

Medium. Affects taste quality but not machine safety.

Solution:

Switch to filtered water or Recipe C (balanced). Taste should improve within 1-2 shots.

What You Notice:

Water flows slowly from the group head. Extraction times increase (40+ seconds). Flow gradually worsens over time.

Root Cause:

Scale buildup in water lines and group head. Mineral deposits narrow passages, restricting flow.

Severity:

High. Indicates significant scale accumulation. Machine needs immediate descaling.

Solution:

Descale immediately using citric acid or commercial descaler. Follow manufacturer instructions. Then switch to filtered water or Recipe A.

What You Hear:

Unusual noises: squeaking, grinding, or rattling sounds. Pump sounds strained or labored.

Root Cause:

Scale buildup in pump or water lines. Pump works harder to push water through mineral deposits. Gaskets may be corroding.

Severity:

High. Indicates mechanical stress. Pump may fail if not addressed.

Solution:

Descale immediately. If noise persists, consult a technician. Switch to filtered water to prevent recurrence.

What You See:

Rust-colored spots or discoloration inside the machine. Corrosion on metal parts. Water may have metallic taste.

Root Cause:

Soft water with low mineral content. Water corrodes metal components, especially copper and steel. No protective mineral layer.

Severity:

High. Corrosion damage is permanent. Can shorten machine lifespan significantly.

Solution:

Switch to Recipe B (soft water enhancement) or filtered water with minerals. Add protective minerals to prevent further corrosion. Consult technician if damage is severe.

What You Notice:

Same grind, dose, and tamp produce different extraction times. Shots vary from 20-35 seconds with identical prep.

Root Cause:

Scale buildup in group head creates uneven water distribution. Water finds paths of least resistance through mineral deposits.

Severity:

Medium. Affects consistency but machine is still functional.

Solution:

Descale the group head thoroughly. Use a group head cleaning brush. Switch to filtered water to prevent recurrence.

What You Experience:

Shots taste overly bitter or harsh. Unpleasant metallic notes. Taste worsens over time.

Root Cause:

Can be hard water (over-extraction) or soft water (corrosion releasing metal into water). Determine which by checking for scale or rust.

Severity:

Medium. Affects taste quality. May indicate machine damage if corrosion-related.

Solution:

Check for scale (hard water) or rust (soft water). If hard water: use filtered water. If soft water: add minerals to prevent corrosion.