Hard water is a common problem for homeowners in and around Chillicothe. Unfortunately, it can cause serious damage if left untreated.
Understanding the difference between hard water vs. soft water is the first step in protecting your plumbing, appliances and fixtures In this blog, the experts at Botts & Tye Air Conditioning and Heating will explain what hard water is, the warning signs you have hard water and how hard water affects your plumbing. We’ll also explain steps we can take to protect your home.
What’s the Difference: Hard Water vs. Soft Water?
So, what exactly is hard water? It’s water that contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals are harmless to drink but can damage your plumbing.
On the other hand, soft water has those minerals filtered out. Unlike hard water, soft water is gentler on pipes.
Signs of Hard Water in Your Home
There are several signs you may have hard water in your home:
- A chalky, white residue on fixtures
- Lower water pressure
- Dry skin or brittle hair
- Stiff or faded laundry
- Shampoo doesn’t lather up when you wash your hair
- Spots on dishes after washing in dishwasher
If you experienced any of these issues, call Botts & Tye Air Conditioning and Heating for expert evaluation. Our knowledgeable staff will test your water hardness levels (grains per gallon/PPM), so we know exactly how hard your water is and how to fix it.
Frequently Reported Hard Water Effects on Plumbing
Why is it important to know if you are dealing with hard water in your home? Hard water causes minerals to cling to the inside of your pipes, which forms something called limescale.
Limescale buildup narrows the available space inside of your pipes, which can reduce water pressure and even cause clogs or leaks.
The following are examples of the damage hard water limescale buildup can cause in your home’s pipes:
Pipe Damage and Leaks
Hard water scale buildup along the inside of pipes can create irregular surfaces. This increases the speed of corrosion and creates a higher chance of small leaks. This is most likely in older metal plumbing.
Damage to Your Appliances
Mineral limescale buildup in your water heater can cause serious issues. It forces these appliances to work harder by coating heating elements and parts with limescale, causing them to fail.
Lower Water Pressure
As limescale accumulates inside pipes, it limits water flow. You may notice signs of reduced water pressure, such as less powerful showers or tubs taking longer to fill with water.
Soap Scum Build-Up and Hard Water Stains
Another effect of hard water in your plumbing is stubborn soap scum and hard water staining:
- Soap scum: Forms when soap reacts with calcium and magnesium in hard water to create insoluble salts. This cloudy residue doesn’t dissolve.
- Hard water stains: Left behind when water evaporates and deposits minerals. It can appear as a crust around faucets, as well as spots, streaks or rings in sinks, showers and bathtubs. It can even leave residue on your glassware in the dishwasher. Sometimes hard water stains have a reddish tint if your water is also high in iron.
Find Ways to Protect Your Home from Hard Water with Botts & Tye Air Conditioning and Heating
What can you do about hard water? From evaluation and testing to prevention, Botts & Tye Air Conditioning and Heating provides complete hard water solutions in Chillicothe. We repair existing hard water damage, offering solutions such as descaling pipes and fixtures to remove stubborn mineral deposits and flushing appliances to restore flow and efficiency.
Our plumbing services also protect your home from future hard water problems by installing a water softener. We also can work with you to find the best filtration system to remove hard water in your home. Filtration systems and water softeners limit mineral buildup in pipes, providing water that’s gentle on plumbing and appliances.
Stop hard water damage today! Contact a local plumber from Botts & Tye Air Conditioning and Heating by calling 660-646-0540 today!