The Impact of Hard Water On Your Plumbing System & How to Combat It
When you have hard water at your home, you’ll notice the effects in your day-to-day life. You may find that your tap water has a weird taste or an off-putting smell. You might feel a weird film between your fingers after you wash your hands or see streaks left on recently cleaned dishes or surfaces. When you’re doing your laundry, you may find that your clothes are unusually crusty and stiff due to mineral buildup that is sticking to the fabric. All of these problems can be frustrating, for sure, and you’re already going to want to do what you can to resolve the hard water issues at your home.
But what you might not directly notice is just how problematic hard water can be for your plumbing system. When you read about the effects it can have on your home’s pipes, you’ll be looking for a solution right away. Luckily, our team at Meares Plumbing and Electrical has you covered.
What Is Hard Water & How Can It Affect Your Plumbing System?
What really is hard water, anyway? Well, it’s water that has a high concentration of minerals—especially harder minerals like calcium and magnesium. When the water at your home is “hard,” it can lead to a variety of problems for your plumbing system. These issues stem from scale buildup. Scale is a hard, crusty deposit that can form on the inside of your pipes and plumbing fixtures because of the minerals present in hard water. Over time, this can cause:
Corrosion & Damage to Your Fixtures
Rust and other types of corrosion are one of the more significant problems caused by hard water and its resulting scale buildup. When the minerals in hard water interact with metal surfaces, this can cause rust, tarnish, and other substances that damage the visual appeal of your fixtures while also hurting their performance. Leaks and other issues can be a result of this corrosion, which can of course make for some major headaches in terms of both repair needs and potential water damage if the problem isn’t quickly addressed.
A Reduction in Efficiency & Lifespan for Your Appliances
Scale buildup from hard water can also cause efficiency issues with your home’s water-using appliances. Clogs and even damage can occur, impacting your appliances in a way that drags down their performance and causes them to consume more energy and water. That lack of efficiency can hurt your bank account when it comes time for you to pay your monthly bills, plus it can also lead to a shorter lifespan for your appliances to boot.
A Decline in Water Pressure
Along the same lines as the corrosion and inefficiency problems that can result from hard water issues at your home, you may also notice that the water pressure you used to enjoy will start to dwindle. That can make for less pleasant showers and a harder time washing your hands and face at the sink.
How to Combat Hard Water At Your Home
There are a couple of ways you can combat hard water at your home, and if you’re a resident of the Tampa Bay area, Meares Plumbing and Electrical can help with both. For one, frequent plumbing inspections are a must, not only for the health of your home in a broader sense but specifically when it comes to identifying any hard water problems and getting out in front of them before they have damaging effects on your home’s plumbing system.
Other than the need for regular plumbing inspections, the installation of a water softener system can also be a worthwhile solution for your home. These systems are designed to combat hard water, “softening” it by removing the harder minerals. This makes for water that is easier on your plumbing system in addition to being better to drink, bathe in, cook with, clean with, and do laundry with.
Learn More Today
If you’re looking to combat hard water problems at your Tampa Bay-area home and you want the help of a team of proven plumbing experts, get in touch with Meares Plumbing and Electrical today. We’d love to answer any questions you have about water softener systems and get you on the schedule for a plumbing inspection at your earliest convenience.
