Hard water can impact your home life in many ways. If your house doesn’t have one of the units or a residential water system that can condition and soften water, you may notice how hard water tastes different, makes it more difficult to get clean when showering, leaves an abundance of soap scum, makes it nearly impossible to get spotless dishes when using the dishwasher, and causes your clothing to wear down more quickly in the washing machine. However, hard water has real, negative effects on your plumbing, as well.

What Is Hard Water?

Water that has a high concentration of magnesium and calcium is considered to be hard. Other minerals common in hard water include iron, manganese, and aluminum. The minerals in the hard water were picked up as it filtered into the earth through limestone, gypsum, or other substances. If your home has a well but you’re not using any residential water systems, you very likely have hard water. 

How Does Hard Water Affect Plumbing?

As time passes, the minerals in hard water will separate and cause scale deposits inside of the pipes in your home. As these deposits build up, the pipes can become clogged. The result is a reduction in pressure or even blockages and more strain being put on the pipes and other parts of the plumbing system. Appliances in your home only exacerbate the situation, especially those that use hot water. As hard water is heated and some of it evaporates, the minerals that were left behind form limescale. The limescale will build up inside of the appliances and the nearby pipes, causing additional stress on the plumbing and shortening the life span of the appliances.

What Solutions Exist to Decrease Hard Water?

Residential water systems can decrease hard water by removing excess minerals. One solution involves reverse osmosis, in which a filtrating membrane removes virtually everything from the water. The more common and more economical solution is a softener. Inside of the softener tank are resin beads holding sodium. As hard water enters the tank, the sodium switches places with the minerals, namely magnesium and calcium. The resulting water is perfect for household use and won’t cause any of the issues that come with hard water.

If you are looking to install a softener or want information about wells or residential water systems, turn to the experts at Luisier Drilling. This family-owned and -operated company has been providing well drilling, sump pump installation, water system installation, and other services to residents of the Greater Oconto Falls, WI, area since 1936. Visit their website for more information about their work, or call (920) 848-5239 to speak with a knowledgeable representative and make an appointment for fast, reliable service.