If you’re experiencing hard-to-manage hair, crusty bathroom faucets, and plumbing problems, it might be due to hard water. Hard water does not cause health problems, but it affects daily living for many people. Here’s what you should know about this common and naturally occurring condition.   

What Should You Know About Hard Water and Its Effect on Plumbing? 

What Is Hard Water?

When water passes through sand, rock, or soil and evaporates, mineral deposits remain. Water that contains high amounts of calcium and magnesium dissolved in it is called hard. Originally, hardness referred to how difficult or hard it was to create soap lather with the water. Cleveland’s water is moderately hard, based on the mineral levels in Lake Erie.

What Are the Signs?

If your hair is hard to manage or dull, or you suffer from itchy, dry skin, hard water might be the culprit. The mineral content stops you from rinsing shampoo or soap lather from your hair and body completely. You may see white or yellow crusty mineral residue that hardens on kitchen and bath fixtures, such as faucets and showerheads. Hard water contributes to reduced water pressure. When the scaly buildup from the dissolved calcium and magnesium forms inside your plumbing, it clogs water flow.

How Can You Prevent or Treat It?

To prevent and treat hard water deposits, clean counters and faucet heads in your bathrooms and kitchen weekly with a solution of distilled white vinegar and distilled water. As you clean, the calcium in hard water reacts to the vinegar and dissolves. Attaching an ion exchange filter to your faucet or inserting it into a specially designed water pitcher helps deliver softer water. An experienced plumber can advise you about the condition of your pipes and the best action for your circumstances.

If you suspect hard water is clogging your plumbing, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Chardon, OH. A high level of skill, commitment to customer satisfaction, and 24/7 emergency service help earn this plumber top ratings from clients since 1973. Read more about how they can improve your home in Northeastern Ohio by visiting their website  To schedule an appointment, call (440) 286-6002.