You could also just install a water softener and you'll never have hard water again. It's cheap enough and you don't have to worry about these things.

Surely the lime build up occurs mainly in the hot water pipes etc in the system as it is the heating of the water that leaches out the calcium? If the water is not heated when house empty surely this in itself reduces such build up? That's my theory and why I try and drain as much water out of pipes. Without a softner fitted whether you are there or not the Cold water is always present/running through the system anyway which would leave deposits?

No-one seems to have mentioned insurance. A number of insurance companies won't insure empty properties for a long period of time.

It doesn't really matter if hot or cold and with hard water you'll always have more limescale. The idea of the water softener is to install where the water enters your home, so you'll never have problems again. Some people install it in the wrong place, so not all of their pipes will be free. Hard water is not only a problem for pipes, but it can also cause hair loss.

Buildings cover shouldn't be a problem, but contents insurance will be. If it's a holiday home, just keep it simple and don't leave expensive stuff in the house. If you like expensive stereo systems, TV's, you could just drive and bring it with you.

We didn't find it a problem, when we first had the house we were only there maybe 5 weeks a year in total, AXA we're fine with that and indeed payed out no problem when we were burgled, contents cover is only up to €18.0000 euro but that's fine for most holiday homes

I am not disagreeing that the water softener is a very good idea as you say if fitted at entry. I still believe though that limescale is increased in the hot water pipes, water heater etc as the heating has the affect of leaching out more scale than the Cold water part of the system. I have also been told this by a friend who is a plumber who explained the need to descale hot water system etc or preferably fit a water softner as you say. But yes the lime is in the water hot or cold .

You are right that limescale develops quicker in hotter water. Best example is a washing machine and limescale sticks to heat transfer surfaces, so a lot of the time the washing machine is using more energy to heat. Just saying that you can't really avoid the build up in general, unless you use a water softener etc. because it's in the water from the start. You are right by draining as much as possible and they advise people to keep water heaters below 60c, ideally 55C.

Many thanks for the very helpful feedback. I was imagining all sorts of problems, but it seems that with careful planning and some good luck, I should be OK. I hadn't thought about either the hard water and the problems it can cause, nor about the need to ensure the insurance is valid, so thanks to those who pointed those out. From all your comments, I think a house in a village would be ideal. I didn't want an apartment, nor a rural finca, so a village house would be perfect. The key seems to be to make friends with the neighbours and to employ a reliable garden maintenance firm. I could also consider installing an alarm, depending on the individual circumstances of the property.

This hadn't occurred to me. I could pack my 55 inch (expensive, and large) TV, and my floor-standing speakers and amp and cd player (expensive, and large), and my projector and sub woofer and extras into my hired van (expensive) and drive it 1300 miles. I'd pay the ferry (expensive) and the toll roads (expensive) but would enjoy the drive when not knackered, but I would be knackered because sleeping well when in a hotel with a van outside full of my (expensive) stuff wouldn't be easy.

But it's a great suggestion and one that I considered for all of 20 seconds when booking my 20 quid flight over in January and renewing my contents insurance for 170 Euros for the year.

But thanks for the suggestion.

Alarms can be a problem if you do not have an alarm company to respond - the police don't respond quickly and there is always the noise that can cause you a problem
Neighbours can be great for the outside but be VERY careful if you leave a set of keys with neighbours or "employ" them as key holders. There are many examples of dodgy people renting out holiday homes without telling the owner (I posted a thread about his happening near me).
In addition they are NOT insured and operate cash in hand. The price for a registered legal company with all the credentials and liability insurances etc. is not a lot more and it is simply not worth trusting neighbours you have only know for 5 minutes (yes there are a few dodgy legal property management companies and some great neighbours but.......)
Remember any legal issues and the neighbours will quickly take cover!!
My recommendation is look for a legal fully registered property management company, do some research and register whoever you use with your house insurance provider (and bank if you have a mortgage), it may also be possible to register them at the local town hall
Please be careful in whatever you do

Town freehold terraced house, grilled windows and good trusting neighbours who keep an eye out, email is a handy tool to keep in touch.

Always see that some air can circulate, air bricks or mesh on a small secure window. South facing helps. You can buy moisture capturing crystal dehumidifiers that can be refilled, leave one or two in each room.

Do not have a garden, have a roof terrace with some cactus and succulent plants in pots, pick the plants that do well in your area, position them in a place where they are most likely to do well, taking into consideration, sun, shade and wind.

Buy some double-sided tape and place across main door tape bottom of any other outside doors to stop dust and insects. Some people have rubber strips or place plastic across bottom of door to protect from both rain and buggs. You can buy small square plactic cockroach traps to put about the place, if a problem and your other protective measures have failed......enjoy.