Hard water is a widespread issue facing homeowners in and around Warminster. Unfortunately, it can cause serious damage if left untreated.

Learning the difference between hard water vs. soft water is the first step in protecting your plumbing system and appliances. In this blog, the professional local plumbers at Retro HVAC Service & Installation will define what hard water is, the warning signs you have hard water and how hard water affects your plumbing. Most importantly, you’ll learn what we can do to protect your home.

What’s the Difference: Hard Water vs. Soft Water?

How do we define hard water? It’s water that has elevated amounts of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals are harmless to drink but can damage your plumbing.

Soft water, by contrast has those minerals neutralized. Unlike hard water, soft water is gentler on pipes.

Signs There is Hard Water in Your Home

There are several signs you may have hard water in your home:

  • Chalky buildup on fixtures
  • Reduced water pressure
  • Dry skin or brittle hair
  • Stiff or faded laundry
  • Shampoo doesn’t lather very much
  • Spots on glasses after washing in dishwasher

If you experienced any of these issues, call Retro HVAC Service & Installation for expert evaluation. Our knowledgeable staff will test your water hardness levels (grains per gallon/PPM), so we have a clear understanding of your water quality and how to fix it.

Frequently Reported Hard Water Effects on Plumbing

What’s the benefit in knowing if you are dealing with hard water in your home? Hard water causes minerals to cling to the inside of your pipes, which eventually becomes something called limescale.

Limescale in plumbing narrows the diameter of your pipes, which can restrict water flow and even cause clogs or breaks.

Here are examples of the problems caused by limescale buildup can cause throughout your plumbing system:

Pipe Damage and Leaks

Hard water scale buildup along the inside of pipes can create irregular surfaces. This speeds up corrosion and increases the likelihood of small leaks. This is most likely in older metal plumbing.

Appliance Damage

Mineral limescale buildup in your washing machine or boiler can lead to big problems. It forces these appliances to run less efficiently by coating heating elements and parts with limescale, causing them to break down sooner.

Low Water Pressure

As limescale forms inside pipes, it chokes off water flow. You may notice signs of restricted water flow, such as weaker shower streams or tubs requiring more time to fill with water.

Soap Scum Acculation and Hard Water Stains

Another effect of hard water in your plumbing is stubborn soap scum and hard water staining:

  • Soap scum: Develops when soap reacts with calcium and magnesium in hard water to form insoluble salts. This grimy buildup doesn’t dissolve.
  • Hard water stains: Left behind when water evaporates and leaves behind mineral residue. It can appear as a crust around faucets, as well as cloudy marks or streaks in sinks, showers and bathtubs. It can even discolor the glassware in the dishwasher. Sometimes hard water stains have a reddish tint if your water is also high in iron.

Learn How to Protect Your Home from Hard Water with Retro HVAC Service & Installation

What can you do about hard water? From evaluation and testing to prevention, Retro HVAC Service & Installation provides comprehensive hard water solutions in Warminster. We repair existing hard water damage, offering solutions such as descaling pipes and fixtures to remove mineral acculation and flushing appliances to restore flow and efficiency.

Our plumbing services also stop additional hard water issues before they start by installing a water softener. We also can help you find the best filtration system to remove hard water for your home. These systems help prevent limescale accumulation, providing clean, soft water.

Stop hard water damage in your plumbing! Contact a local plumber from Retro HVAC Service & Installation by calling 267-485-6219 today!