Hard water is a common problem for a lot of homeowners – and one that can have many of your appliances “biting the dust.” Before you start playing the Queen classic while carrying your water heater to the curb, you might want to take a moment to figure out a way to bite back!
Hard water is essentially mineral-rich water that occurs in plenty of places around the U.S. Whether it’s iron, magnesium, or even dust (see what we did there?), it could have a major impact on your home without a water softener in place. Not sure what a water softener is? Read on to learn more about these protective devices, and why you should have one in your home.
Signs You Have Hard Water
Not sure whether or not you have hard water? There are some signs that you can look for that will tell you that your water is hard.
- Strange Tastes/Smells – If your water tastes or smells strange, it could mean that you have hard water.
- Spotty Dishes – Hard water makes it hard to clean your dishes well. This means that your dishes are spotty.
- Soap Scum – If you are seeing soap scum on your tub, walls, counters, and other surfaces, hard water can be the reason.
- Mineral Buildup – If you’re seeing mineral buildup on your faucets, this is a sign of hard water.
These are some of the most common and obvious signs that you have hard water. Hard water is caused by an extensive amount of minerals in the water, including iron and magnesium, which can all create hard water deposits in your pipes. Over time, this will deteriorate your plumbing, leaving you with an emergency in your home.
The Dangers of Hard Water Damage
Hard water can cause a lot of problems, but one of the most expensive problems that it can cause is to your plumbing. Below are four common plumbing problems caused by hard water.
- Clogged pipes – The same scale that collects on your tub and sink from hard water will collect in your pipes and clog them. This can lead to backed up sinks and toilets.
- A reduction in water pressure – The clogged pipes as mentioned above also can cause your water pressure to go down. This makes showering a lot less enjoyable.
- Corrosion in joints – When your joints aren’t properly sealed, hard water can corrode them and cause leaks.
- Damage to appliances – The appliances that use water, such as your washer, hot water heater, and dishwasher, also will be damaged by hard water. It shortens their life.
Why The Water Softener Cost is Worth It
Water softeners are expensive. But when you think about how a water softener helps you, the price is really a small price to pay. Here are some of the ways a water softener helps you save money.
- Appliances last longer.
- Fewer plumbing problems.
- Don’t need to buy as many cleaning products.
- Soap, detergent, and shampoo last longer.
- Don’t have to buy bottled water because the water tastes better.
A water softener can help you to save money and to help your plumbing and appliances last a lot longer. It also will help your health, because you will be drinking a lot more water and your skin and hair will be healthier. Over time, this is going to help you with saving money and keeping your plumbing working well. Call us with any questions!
