Four Hard Water Problems to Watch Out For

Have you ever wondered why your dishes have water spots even after you’ve run them through the dishwasher? Or why there’s a white powdery buildup around your sink? Many of these housecleaning annoyances are caused by hard water in a home’s water system.

Hard water is a classification of water based on mineral content. Plumbers can identify hard water by testing the levels of calcium and magnesium in a water sample. The problem is that hard water doesn’t just cause small annoyances – the mineral buildup can clog pipes and cause other plumbing issues. Here are four issues you need to be on the lookout for if you have hard water.

1. Mineral Deposits on Plumbing Fixtures

Perhaps the most obvious sign of the effects of hard water is a white mineral buildup around faucets and other plumbing fixtures. A white powdery film or deposit that is impossible to scrub away is the number one sign that you have hard water running in your home and causing problems.

High calcium levels in hard water cause soap to stick on surfaces like floors, sinks, and bathtubs even after you’ve rinsed them off. To remove the buildup, use a cleaner that dissolves lime deposits. Eventually, the buildup will come back because calcium is continually present in the water. To combat this problem, add softeners to your water.

2. Shortened Water Heater and Appliance Lifespan

Hard water running through your water heater can shorten the appliance’s lifespan by years depending on the level of minerals present in the water. Pesky mineral buildups form on the heating element of the appliance, hindering it from heating water as it should. Mineral deposits also form at the bottom of the tank, decreasing the amount of available water.

Appliances that use water, like the ice maker, washing machine, shower head, and dishwasher, won’t last as long as they should when running on hard water. Mineral deposits eventually block small water supply lines and clog drain lines, reducing an appliance’s effectiveness and lifespan. Running your appliances with hard water decreases their working life between 25 to 40 percent, meaning that you’ll need to seek out replacement appliances much sooner.

If you do find yourself in need of a water heater replacement, just call Central Plumbing Co. to take care of it.

3. Dry Skin

Mineral buildup from hard water isn’t exclusive to showers and dishwashers. Because hard water prevents soap from dissolving, it can leave a film on your skin, just like it does on other surfaces. This can make your skin dull and dry because the soap is settling into your skin instead of being properly rinsed off. If you have sensitive skin, the residue can make your skin itchy and aggravate skin issues, such as eczema.

The film may prevent the removal of soil and bacteria. Soap residue interferes with the return of skin to its normal, slightly acid condition and may lead to irritation. Soap curd on hair may make it dull, lifeless, and difficult to manage.

4. Water Spots on Dishes

Dishes washed in a dishwasher operating with hard water are often left with soap residue or water spots from the minerals in hard water. A thick residue is created when the minerals combine with soap, making cleaning dishes effectively difficult.

Some dish detergents are less effective in hard water because the active ingredient is rendered useless by minerals in hard water. Make sure your dishes are properly cleaned by investing in efforts to soften the water in your home.

Call Central Plumbing to Fix Your Hard Water Problems

If you’re experiencing any of these issues caused by hard water, consider softening your water with a water filter system. Give Central Plumbing Co. in Baton Rouge a call at 225-925-8552 today to learn how we can mitigate your hard water problems or get help in fixing the problems it has already caused. We will make sure you have a plumbing system that is optimal for you and your family.