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Hard Water: How it Affects Your Plumbing System, Your Home & Your Body

Hard Water: How it Affects Your Plumbing System, Your Home & Your Body

Hard water contains a high mineral content, namely magnesium and calcium. The two minerals bind together to become mineral deposits or scale, which sticks to the pipe interiors and that of your household appliances and surfaces. It can be very hard to remove. Water hardness is rated on a scale from 1 to 10.

Hard water causes havoc in a home, as it sticks to everything, making dishes, showers, tiles, basins and tubs hard to clean. It can make your bathroom and kitchen look dingy and dirty. In addition, it impedes the ability for detergents and soaps to foam properly and people end up using more water to rinse off the dishes or in the shower, driving up their water bills. It leaves behind a whitish residue and soapy film.

We can learn to live with the soapy film, but unfortunately, hard water has more serious effects on your plumbing, including:

Low water pressure - Mineral buildup inside the pipes and fixtures can reduce the water pressure by blocking the flow.
Clogged pipes - The buildup could reach a level where it is so severe that it clogs the pipes completely.
Corrosion - Your pipes may become corroded and cause leaks. ]
Poor water quality - Water with high mineral content often tastes different to soft water.
Soapy residue - The minerals can cause water spots on your dishes, shower, plumbing fixtures and so forth. You will have to wash everything more regularly to keep it clean.
Personal hygiene - You may find that you need to use more soap and shampoo to work up a sufficient lather to get cleaned. It can also leave your skin feeling dry and your hair frizzy and damaged.
Waste not want not - Water is precious, and in drought ridden areas, it is especially important to take care of our resources. If you have hard water, you will probably end up using more water to keep everything clean.

Hard Water and Your Hot Water Heater

Ultimately, hard water can cause issues with your hot water heater. The calcium buildup, when it reacts with hot water, will lead to corrosion, which in turn will shorten the lifespan of your hot water heater. It will cause leaks or complete failure.

What to Do About Hard Water

Do you suspect that you may have hard water in your home? You could buy an inexpensive DIY hard water testing kit from your local plumbing supply store and test your water using the test strips provided. Alternatively, you could get in touch with Anta Plumbing to perform a professional hard water diagnostic test.

Once you have established that you do have hard water, you could use a water softener to treat it. You can buy a small freestanding or under-sink water filter for your drinking water, or you can invest in a whole-house water softener that will prevent limescale from damaging fixtures and causing hassles in the rest of the home as well. You will once again have shiny, smooth hair and healthy glowing skin. Get in touch with Anta Plumbing today to learn more.

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Written by Anta

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