How Hard Water Is Bad for Your Plumbing

Water plays a crucial role in your day-to-day life, and the type of water you use affects your household and plumbing systems profoundly. Not all water is the same everywhere, and hard water is prevalent in some regions. Most homes have hard water due to calcium and magnesium ions in their water supply. While these minerals may not be bad for your health, they are bad for your plumbing. You know it’s hard water when it’s difficult to lather with your soap and rinse it off your hair and skin. As time passes, the accumulation of minerals in pipes can lead to various plumbing problems.

Clogged Drains and Pipes

Magnesium and Calcium from hard water go beyond your drain screen as each time the water passes through the drain, the minerals attach to the sides of the pipe. As you use the drain, more minerals attach to the deposits and eventually clog the drain. Just like how plaque can damage veins and arteries, scale from the amassing of the minerals in the faucets damages your plumbing system.

Reduced Efficiency and Lifespan of Heaters

Hard water has a detrimental effect on your water heater. The heater’s performance decreases, and it struggles to heat efficiently as a result of the minerals gathering on the heating elements. With the heater working twice as hard, there is increased energy use and reduced lifespan. According to the US Department of Energy, water heaters that use hard water lose about half of their efficiency after some time.

Leaks and Broken Pipes From Corrosion

The minerals in hard water contain destructive properties to particular metals used for plumbing in older homes. As the minerals slowly eat through the pipe, a small opening inside grows larger, resulting in a leak. If the corrosive section of the pipe remains unrepaired and the hard water deposits are still there, sections of your plumbing may disintegrate. Additionally, as the mineral deposits prevent water from flowing smoothly, the water gets pushed through the plumbing at the same volume and pressure, and the pipes break. You may then need to replace a large portion of your plumbing system.

Water softeners and descalers are the main solutions to address the issue of hard water in your home and need to be installed by a professional plumber. At Plumbing Doctor, we resolve all your plumbing issues exceeding expectations. Please don’t leave your plumbing issues unattended for long. Contact us and leave your plumbing problems in our highly trained hands.