How often should I descale my espresso machine?

Descaling frequency depends on your water hardness and usage. With soft water (under 100 ppm), descale every 3–6 months. With medium-hard water (100–200 ppm), descale every 1–2 months. With hard water (over 200 ppm), monthly descaling may be needed. Many machines have descale indicators. Signs you're overdue: slower than normal water flow, lower brew temperature, or the machine taking longer to heat up. Using filtered water dramatically extends intervals.