Is Hard Water Really That Big of a Deal?

Andrew Kyle • December 4, 2017

When dealing with your home’s plumbing system, there are a number of possible issues you should be aware of. For instance, one of the most common problems, and the most problematic, is hard water. Many homeowners have had to deal with this problem, but some of them may not even be aware of it, even though it could very well be diminishing their quality of life.

The good news is that the resolution is as simple as a  water softener installation in Bellaire, TX. To keep your plumbing system in the best possible condition, consider this installation and only trust a pro for the job!

What Is Hard Water?

The first question you likely have is: what  is  hard water?   That’s understandable! Hard water is water that has a high concentration of minerals—namely magnesium and calcium particles. These particles are harmless to ingest, but they cause a number of other problems—from dry brittle hair out of the shower, to pipe corrosion.

That’s the real danger that hard water possesses—to your plumbing system. Years of exposure to hard water causes the walls of your pipes to start accumulating mineral deposits, which is referred to as limescale.

The Impact of Hard Water

Why should you care about the buildup of limescale throughout your home’s plumbing system? Well first off, the more this lime scale accumulates within your plumbing pipes, the more it restricts the flow of water through the pipes—reducing the water pressure in your system and making it more difficult for your plumbing to operate as it should.

Even worse, limescale that isn’t caught up and removed will eventually harden within your pipes, making it nearly impossible to remove without damaging the pipe it’s attached to. In order to truly protect your plumbing system from hard water and subsequent limescale, you’ll want to take preventive measures.

What Kind of Preventive Measures Exist for Hard Water?

The best way to deal with hard water is to have a water treatment system installed in your home. A water softener is a type of water treatment system that’s designed for treating this particular problem. There are a variety of different types of water softeners, but they all operate on the same principle—by neutralizing the magnesium and calcium particles in the water in some way. This essentially “softens” the water, so that limescale doesn’t form in the pipes.

If you’re unsure whether or not hard water is a concern in your household, there a couple of signs you can watch out for. Take a look around your faucets, and in your bathtub or shower for any chalky white substance. That’s limescale, and if it’s present in those areas you can bet that it’s probably within your pipes, too.

You should also keep an eye on your water pressure. Is it decreasing? If you notice a slow drop in your water pressure over time, you may likely have a limescale problem that is growing.

For services you can depend on,  contact Doug Turner Plumbing CO.  today.

Share by: