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Water is essential to our lives, and we need it for everyday tasks. But you should know hard water can be detrimental.
In this article, we will explore the dangers of hard water and how it can damage your plumbing system. We will also provide solutions to protect your plumbing system from these dangers.
So keep reading!
Hard water is a type of water that contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. Rainwater picks up these essential minerals from the soil and bedrock it passes over as it makes its way to rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and other sources.
While hard water does contain beneficial minerals for humans, it can cause problems with plumbing systems due to clogging and build-up over time.
In addition, the presence of calcium and other minerals in household appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines can lead to appliance failure. It can also cause wear-and-tear more rapidly than if used with soft water.
Understanding what hard water is and how it might impact your home can help you prevent unnecessary costs or repairs in the long run. The use of hard water can lead to a number of common household problems, some of which are listed below.
The mineral deposits left behind by hard water in bathtubs, showers, sinks, and faucets are merely a portion of the overall issue. Over time, the minerals in hard water can also cause a build-up inside plumbing, fixtures, and appliances.
The accumulation we do not notice may cause various plumbing problems. This includes a decrease in the flow of water, blockages, and higher pressure in the pipes and fixtures.
Mineral deposits could also cause appliances to function less efficiently and wear out faster than they would otherwise.
For instance, a water heater tank must also heat any mineral scale accumulated in addition to the water itself, which means more energy consumption. As a result of hard water, plumbing system can become less efficient over time, requiring more repairs.
The presence of a white scale that has built up on drainage pipes is typically a reliable indicator that the water is hard.
If you have reason to believe that the water in your home is hard, perform a simple test to determine whether or not this is the case by a simple method. Take a small quantity of dish soap and water together in a sealed container. If the solution does not produce enough sud, you will most likely have hard water.
You can get considerably more accurate findings by contacting your water provider and asking for a report on any recent water testing that has been done.
Additionally, you may have a sample of the water analysed at a nearby laboratory or hire a firm to perform an on-site test. But make sure there is no conflict of interest; for instance, you wouldn’t want a test done by a company that sells water softeners.
Additionally, you can use a water hardness test strip, which you can purchase at home improvement shops and hardware stores. This test strip requires you to hold it under running water and then compare the colour to a colour gauge.
These are some ways to test whether the water at your home is hard.
If you’re dealing with hard water, your options are to purchase a variety of water-conditioning products or to install a whole-house water softener.
Gold Coast Plumbing Company recommends treating hard water with a whole-house water softener system, especially when the water tests are above 3 GPG. This is by far the most effective and efficient solution available, as opposed to more temporary fixes like water-conditioning products.
Further, our professional and licensed Gold Coast plumbers can analyse the issue, note the water type and water quality, and then use the right water softener method. We will test the water to check the mineral level when the job is done.
You can also ask them about the potential ways you can detect hard water if the water softener system malfunctions. Just give us a call for more information!
