When you say that you have hard water in your home, it means that there are excess minerals in the water that comes out of your faucets. This isn’t a problem for your health in most situations, but it can make your drinking water taste different. The additional amounts of calcium and magnesium found in this hard water can also damage your plumbing system. In this guide, we’ll take a look at how hard water affects your plumbing system and what you can do to reduce the minerals in your water.
1. Creates Clogs in Your Drains
Have you ever noticed hard water deposits around the drain of your sink or tub? Well, these deposits stick to the drain screen that you see, as well as the pipes further along the drain system. You may be able to clean the residue left behind at the entrance to the drain. However, when hard water deposits begin to adhere to the inside of the pipes, the drains will clog up because the water moves through the system much more slowly.
Most drain cleaners on the market can only remove a small amount of these minerals, so your sinks and tubs will still release water slowly. Once the buildup is inside the plumbing system, contacting a professional is the best way to minimize hard water deposits. Our team at Anderson Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric can help clean your drains and suggest solutions that will help soften the water in your home.
2. Reduces the Flow of Your Water
Pipes are also how water reaches your faucets. If hard water deposits can block drainage, they can also decrease the water pressure before it reaches you. When these deposits reduce the amount of water flowing through your faucet, it becomes very noticeable. You will see the calcium deposits on the faucets in your sinks, tub, and shower.
This level of additional minerals can make the holes from which the water flows much smaller than normal. This is especially noticeable with the shower head. As the small holes become increasingly clogged with mineral deposits, you will notice a much weaker spray, making it more difficult to rinse off soap as you bathe.
3. Breaks Down Pipes and Metal Fixtures
When there is excess calcium and magnesium in your water, these substances can break down or corrode certain types of metals. This mainly affects aluminum and copper, which are materials used in older plumbing systems. When the minerals cling to the inside of the pipes, there is a higher chance of corrosion, making the pipes more prone to damage and necessitating repairs.
This corrosion can also occur on other metal surfaces in your plumbing system. For example, hard water mineral deposits can stick to valves, faucets, and fixtures, potentially causing damage. Once a pipe has corroded, it is advisable to contact a professional plumber to prevent further damage and leaks in the system. If the minerals eat through the older pipes, a small leak can expand into a much larger one.
Another way mineral deposits affect the pipes is by building up to such an extent that they force water through a small space, breaking the connections between the pipes in your system. Regardless of the cause of the leak, contact Anderson Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric right away to address the leak and make other necessary repairs.
4. Makes Plumbing System Less Efficient
When you have hard water in your home, you may not be able to tell if your dishes or clothes are as clean as you would like them to be. That said, you will use excess water to rewash items in your dishwasher and washing machine. This requires more energy, as the machines need to wash for longer periods. Additionally, it will take you longer to shower and clean up when the water flow is reduced due to the excess minerals. In fact, homes with hard water can experience energy costs that are up to 30% higher than those with softer water.
5. Extra Wear and Tear on Appliances
This buildup can take a toll on your dishwasher, coffee maker, washing machine, and other appliances. However, one appliance that you might not suspect of experiencing a higher level of wear and tear is your water heater. Just like hard water deposits build up in the pipes of your plumbing system, they can also accumulate in the pipes that connect to your hot water heater.
When the minerals in the water reach your water heater, they will settle at the base of the tank. The longer the minerals remain there, the more likely they are to cause corrosion. You can have a professional flush the tank, but in general, hard water will reduce the lifespan of the water heater by a few years. It will also increase the amount of maintenance you need for your plumbing system.
Soften the Water in Your Home
When hard water threatens your water supply and your plumbing system, the best thing you can do is soften the water. This means installing a water softener in your home to remove some of the excess minerals that hard water brings in. There are different types of water softeners that you can consider for your home.
These include:
- An ion exchange water softener
- Salt-free hard water conditioners
- A polyphosphate conditioning solution
- Magnetic and electronic water conditioners
Here are the differences between water treatment options. Ion exchange water softeners remove hard minerals like calcium and magnesium using salt. Salt-free conditioners don’t remove minerals but prevent buildup by altering their structure.
Polyphosphate systems coat pipes to stop scale and are often used in commercial settings. Magnetic and electronic conditioners use electromagnetic fields to change mineral behavior. Each solution has unique benefits depending on your water hardness, household needs, and maintenance preferences.
At Anderson Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric, we typically use an ion exchange process that replaces excess calcium and magnesium with sodium and potassium. This process helps to balance the water, improving its taste and reducing buildup on appliances, faucets, and other plumbing fixtures. Once you soften your water, appliances such as your water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine will have a longer lifespan. Additionally, with better water quality, your skin and hair will feel softer.
Contact a Reliable Plumbing Company
At Anderson Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric, we take pride in allowing you to become part of our family as we work with you to solve your water issues. Since 1982, our team of professionals has serviced the Greater Cleveland area with pride. In addition to providing plumbing solutions to the residents of the community, we also offer electrical as well as heating and cooling services to ensure that you are always comfortable in your home. We set high standards for our technicians, and your satisfaction is our priority.
As one of the top plumbers in the Greater Cleveland area, you can trust us to keep your plumbing system running smoothly. To set up an appointment for regular maintenance on your plumbing system or water softener installation, give us a call at Anderson Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric today.
