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If you’ve ever found white or yellow flakes around your shower head or reddish staining at the bottom of your sink or toilet, you may be wondering about possible causes. These marks are generally due to hard water, also known as water that contains high amounts of various minerals. Excessive calcium or magnesium creates flakes, while large amounts of iron lead to staining. One possible solution is to purchase a water softener. Here is a guide to hard water, how it affects your plumbing, and how to get rid of it.

What Is Hard Water? 

Hard water contains calcium or magnesium in the 120 to 180 parts-per-million range, and it interferes with all your cleaning duties. Hard water not only builds calcium deposits in your pipes, but it also leaves a white residue at the bottom of your coffee maker, fades clothing, and creates a film on clean dishes. Many cleaning products interact with the extra minerals and leave behind damaging residues on your appliances and plumbing fixtures. Chrome faucets can be permanently destroyed if not cleaned with vinegar regularly, and the soapy film left over after you get out of the shower can only be wiped away onto your towel.

How Does It Impact Plumbing? 

Water SoftenerOnce the deposits form, they begin to rust metallic objects. This can destroy everything from metal pipes to your water heater. These high mineral concentrations touch the water heater coils and create scale, which speeds up the rusting process and will eventually penetrate the water heater causing it to leak. The deposits also build up within the pipes and restrict water flow, which causes pumps to work ineffectively and puts more strain on the entire plumbing system.

How Do Water Softeners Help? 

A water softener operates from the entrance of your water supply and uses ionized sodium particles to strip away the extra minerals. The minerals are captured, and sodium is passed into the water supply instead. Every couple of days, the water softener tank does a sodium chloride flush and removes the calcium, iron, magnesium, and other particles from its system. There is also a potassium chloride solution for those watching their blood pressure.

 

If you see white powdery residue in your appliances or water spots that won’t go away after washing dishes, then a water softener is a good option. Lammel Plumbing Inc. in Beatrice, NE, is a family-owned and -operated business serving Gage County residents since 1947. Offering both residential and commercial plumbing solutions, they provide 24-hour emergency assistance, regular plumbing maintenance, and septic tank service. To request an appointment, contact the team online or call (402) 223-4132.

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