When should I call a tradie instead of DIY?

Call a licensed tradie if the job is outside your skill level, involves regulated work (electrical, gas, plumbing past the tap), or you're unsure about safety.

Appliances · Appliances

Descale a Kettle

Fill the kettle half with water and half with white vinegar (or use a citric acid descaler), boil, leave 20 minutes, pour out, then boil two more rinses of clean water before reuse.

Likely issue

Limescale build-up on the element

DIY difficulty

1/5

Estimated DIY cost

$0–$8

Estimated tradie cost

N/A

Tools required

No special tools required.

Materials required

Citric acid 500g$8

Step-by-step instructions

Empty the kettle and remove any limescale filter at the spout.
Fill the kettle half with water and half with white vinegar (or use a citric acid descaler), boil, leave 20 minutes, pour out, then boil two more rinses of clean water before reuse.

Safety warnings

Wear appropriate PPE (gloves, safety glasses), isolate power or water where relevant, and stop work if anything looks unsafe or unfamiliar.

When to call a tradie

Call a licensed tradie if the work is outside the scope of this guide, involves regulated trades (electrical, gas, structural, waterproofing), or if you discover hidden damage. A professional will typically charge N/A.

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