Hard water is a problem that a lot of homeowners have had to deal with at some point. It is vital to comprehend what hard water is and the dangers it poses to the plumbing in your home. Rainwater is naturally soft, but as it falls, it picks up minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and manganese. The abundance of these minerals in the water is what makes it “hard”. The number of minerals in the water determines its hardness. Hard water is not hazardous health-wise, but it can be a nuisance to use in the home. So, why would a homeowner consider calling a Saskatoon plumbing expert to fix hard water problems in the home?
Piping Problems
First of all, hard water can be very unpleasant to use. The soap lathers poorly when using hard water. It makes bathing, dish cleaning, and laundry challenging. As much as this may be annoying, the biggest threat is to appliances and the plumbing system. Mineral salts such as magnesium and calcium precipitate in high temperatures. This precipitation causes mineral deposits or “scale” that settles in appliances and plumbing pipes. The more you use hard water, the more the deposits. Accumulation of scale in piping leads to clogging that results in low water flow pressure and drainage problems. Pipes that have been building up deposits for a long time will feel the pressure and may start cracking and leaking. Getting a trusted Saskatoon plumber is the best way to remedy the situation.
Water Heater Problems
In bathrooms, using hard water leaves an unsightly film on the tiles and floor. The bathroom drainage becomes affected because the scale interrupts the flow of water. Running hard water through faucets will cause them to block and compromise their integrity. A Saskatoon plumbing professional can replace faucets that are too worn out to function anymore. Hard water also affects water heaters. Heaters have to operate at very high temperatures, meaning that the degree of precipitation is high. Accumulation of mineral deposits will cause inefficiency in a water heater and shortens its service life. You may also notice higher electric or gas bills due to the inefficiency of the heater.
You can find a trusted Saskatoon plumbing service like Perfection Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Ltd. that offers water treatment solutions to deal with the problem. Some homeowners get water softening systems if the issue is a persistent one. Alternatively, a plumber can provide regular maintenance such as cleaning pipes and removing mineral deposits in faucet aerators. You can also get regular water heater flushing services to keep it working efficiently.
Sources:
What Is Hard Water? About Home
Hard water: Facts and solutions, sheknows, 14 July 2009