limescale / lime
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limescale
A white mineral substance (calcium carbonate) that is dissolved in water and is deposited when heated or evaporated, for example in household appliances or on fixtures.
Ich muss den Wasserkocher entkalken, er ist innen schon ganz weiß vor Kalk.
I need to descale the kettle; it's already completely white with limescale inside.
'Kalk' is the name of a substance and is generally used as an uncountable noun. Therefore, it normally has no plural form.
Das Wasser hier enthält sehr viel Kalk.
The water here contains a lot of limescale.
The context makes it clear which meaning is intended. In connection with household appliances, water, or the bathroom, it refers to the deposit. In the context of construction, walls, or agriculture, it refers to the building material.
Die Duschwand ist voller Kalk.
The shower wall is covered in limescale.
When it is about deposits, typical verbs are 'entfernen' (to remove), 'sich ablagern' (to be deposited/build up), or 'lösen' (to dissolve). The appropriate verb for cleaning appliances is 'entkalken' (to descale).
Wie kann ich den Kalk am besten von den Armaturen entfernen?
What is the best way to remove the limescale from the fixtures?
cast / plaster
'Kalk' and 'Gips' can both be white and mineral, and both can also occur in construction. Even so, they do not mean the same thing. In everyday life, 'Kalk' is often known as white deposits from hard water, for example in a kettle or in the shower. In addition, Kalk can be a building material or fertilizer. 'Gips' is a different mineral and is used as a building material; in everyday language, 'ein Gips' very often also means the hard cast for a broken arm or leg. The words can be confused because both can be white materials. But for water stains you say 'Kalk', and for a broken arm you say 'Gips'.
Am Wasserhahn hat sich viel Kalk gebildet.
A lot of limescale has formed on the faucet.
Nach dem Unfall musste Paul sechs Wochen einen Gips tragen.
After the accident, Paul had to wear a cast for six weeks.