Hard water may not make you sick but it can damage the plumbing in your home. Hard water has a large amount of calcium and magnesium that gets deposited in your home’s plumbing appliances and pipes over time.
This can cause blockages and may even lead to leaks in your pipes and faucets. You can install a water softener to improve your plumbing in Rockville, MD. In this, blog, we’ll look at some of the problems caused by hard water and why a water softener is a good way to address them.
Hard Water Builds Up Scale
Chances are that most of the water in your home comes from natural mountain aquifers and rivers. This water is rich in minerals such as chalk, limestone, magnesium, and calcium.
Some of these minerals are essential and even healthy for you, so they are not completely separated from the water. However, a high concentration of them can cause scale to build up inside your piping.
You can notice this when you use hard water for culinary or cleaning use. If you wash your driveway, siding, or bricks outside your property, you may notice slight discoloration and a white or chalky film over the surface. You may also notice similar white layers in your sinks, faucets, and showerheads.
You can clean this scale with vinegar or other cleaning chemicals. However, some areas are hard to reach for cleaning. The best solution in such cases is to use a water softener.
Plumbing Blockages
If there is a high concentration of minerals in your water, then these minerals can accumulate inside your pipes. This can lower the water pressure coming out of your taps and faucets. It doesn’t occur immediately and takes months and years to build up so you can get it cleaned through a plumber.
Minerals found in hard water can also react with chemicals such as soap, shampoo, and cleaning liquids to create soap scum. This can harden as it flows down your drain and cause blockages that are more difficult to get rid of.
Blockages in Water Sprays
The effects of hard water are more visible on tight water outlets such as your showerheads and dishwasher arms. Since the water opening is small, even a small accumulation of minerals can render the fixture or appliance useless.
As more and more spray jets are clogged over time, less water will pass through the device. You will either need to get it cleaned or replaced.
Water Heater Damage
Hard water is also damaging for your water heater. Mineral deposits can significantly reduce the efficiency of the heater, causing it to consume more power. If left unchecked, the build-up of sediment in the water heater pipes make them less effective for temperature control.
Solutions for Hard Water
You can try out various solutions to soften the water supply coming into your home. One of the best is to install a whole-house water softener system with the help of experienced plumbers.
A water softener can be installed at the main inlet of your home’s water supply line. This cleans and removes any excess minerals before they enter your home’s plumbing system. These systems are durable and ensure that your family gets access to clean water for many years.
If you are looking to install a water softener system for your home, then get in touch with Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing. We pledge to exceed expectations at every turn.