The Impact of Hard Water on Your Plumbing System and How to Address It

Are you worried about your clogged pipes? Hard water might be the culprit! Hard water is one of the greatest enemies of the plumbing systems of your residential or commercial building. Constant exposure to hard water causes limescale accumulation (a chalky white deposit of calcium carbonate), eventually decreasing water quality and clogging the drains and pipes.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water refers to any water supply that comprises high amounts of minerals like calcium and magnesium. Water absorbs certain naturally occurring minerals through the soil and Earth’s atmosphere. Apart from the commonly found minerals of calcium and magnesium, hard water also includes traces of zinc, iron, aluminum, barium, copper, manganese, and other metals. The higher the amount of these minerals in water, the more complex the water is.

3 Ways Hard Water Can Damage Your Plumbing Systems

Here are three common ways hard water can ruin your home’s pipes and drains.

1.  Clogged Water Sprayers and Drains: The hard mineral deposits in water can accumulate on the sides of your pipes and jet sprays, thus clogging them over time after prolonged exposure to hard water.

2.  Reduced Water Quality: We use water for various purposes, including cooking, bathing, cleaning dishes, washing clothes, etc. Even if the water is safe for drinking, it is not ideal for your home’s plumbing systems and appliances. The minerals in hard water interrupt the effectiveness of soaps and detergents, thus making it harder for us to clean our dishes, clothes, etc.

3.  Broken or Leaked Pipes: Hard water is often a vital reason for pipe leakages and breakages. Hard water is cursive to the pipe materials, especially the ones used in older homes. Modern plumbing systems, however, are made of more durable materials to withstand continuous exposure to hard water. Due to mineral deposits along the pipe walls, water pressure inside the plumbing systems increases, thus causing leaks and cracks.

How to Deal with Hard Water?

The best way to address hard water is to use water softeners. Install one in your home or office by seeking help from a professional water damage restoration team in your area.

Water softeners help remove the hard minerals using sodium molecules. These sodium molecules combine with the dissolved calcium and magnesium in water while moving through a specifically designed water filter. Another great way to address clogged pipes and plumbing systems caused due to the accumulation of hard minerals is through drain cleaning, performed by a professional cleaner or plumber.

In other words, water softeners need sodium tablets for higher efficiency. Since most water softeners are automatic, they can soften the water whenever water passes through the filters. However, some manual softeners require regular maintenance to keep them functional.

Some common types of water softeners include:

● Salt-free Hard Water Conditioner

● Ion exchange Water Softeners

● Electronic and Magnetic Water Conditioners

● Polyphosphate

If you are facing hard water issues, consult a team of the Best Plumbers in Sandy, who will assess your water ‘hardness’ and the plumbing damages. Hire a professional plumber to install an effective water-softening system to keep your water free from harmful minerals.

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