Here’s How Hard Water Could Damage Your Plumbing
“Hard water” pertains to the water quality in your home. It is incredibly common- affecting roughly ¾ of households in the U.S! Luckily, it is very unlikely that hard water will have any health effects on you. However, the effect on your plumbing system can be substantial. You may find yourself having to replace your showerhead or even pipes sooner than you expected.
Learn more about how hard water can affect your plumbing, and consider asking us about a water softener for your home.
Do I have hard water?
Hard water leaves behind mineral deposits, which you’ve likely seen before. It could have been residue that gathers on the kitchen sink, or white spots around drains. Another common occurrence is spots that form on the end of your showerhead. You may also notice water spots left behind on dishes or hair that is dull and dry after washing.
If you have ever experienced any of these, you likely have hard water.
How does hard water affect my house?
Your pipes in your house are one of the biggest risks when you have hard water. If you see buildup on your faucets and drains, it is only a tiny indicator of what could be inside of the pipes. The mineral build-up will continue, reducing the volume available inside which can result in a drop in water pressure. A plumber may be able to clean out the pipes. However, at some point, nothing can be done and the pipes may need replacement.
The same damage that happens inside pipes can do plenty of damage to the appliances within your home. Including:
Clothes washers
Dishwashers
Sink Faucets
Refrigerator lines
Coffee makers
Water heaters
Due to the diameter of the pipes leading to many of these appliances, you’re likely to notice the damage sooner than with the water lines in the home. Mineral build-up can take up space in these systems or their pipes which can cause the cost of maintaining them to skyrocket.
The solution
For the best and most effective solution to hard water, we recommend a water softener where the water enters your home, which means all the fixtures and pipes are protected from the damages of hard water.
A water softener will greatly increase the life of your faucets and showerheads, reduce the spotting of glasses, dishes, and flatware. You can reduce your laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, hand soap, and shampoo to half what you would normally use, not to mention soft water is much more pleasant to wash with. You can also add an Iron Filter which helps eliminates the minerals that cause odor and bacteria while eliminating 10 parts per million of iron.
Contact Abel Plumbing for water softener installation and water conditioning services in the twin cities western metro area.