Hard Water: A Threat to Your Plumbing System

Since there are more than 246 million residential households, at least 95% of those homeowners underestimate their heart problems' risks since most live in areas with hard drinking water supply lines. Hard water is a growing threat to these piping systems as it causes deterioration of pipes and build-up of free-trade or scale on the insides of pipes. While many people now know that hard water is bad for their plumbing system, they often don't know how else it impacts them. Due to the chemicals used for fracking (natural gas extracting), hard water has become an increasingly problematic aspect of life.

What is hard water?

Although water is usually clear, odorless, colorless, and tasteless; However, the water still contains many minerals and chemicals. Beneficial minerals will help the user's health, but if the concentration of some minerals is exceeded, it will create hard water.

Hard water is water that contains a large number of dissolved minerals in the form of ions, which increase the hardness of the water. Commonly, metal cations, such as Calcium cations (Ca 2+) and Magnesium cations (Mg 2+), are present in 1 liter of water; the content of these substances is already out of the allowable range, higher than the level of safe water regulations. Due to the high calcium content in the water, it is also called limestone water. This type of water harms human life and leads to many negative consequences for users and the environment.

Signs of hard water

• Hard water with a high magnesium content will taste bitter.

• When boiled, in the water appears a white suspended precipitate, which is the precipitate of MgCO3 and CaCO3.

• If hard water is used to make coffee or tea, a thin layer of scum will appear on the surface.

• The soap produces less foam when mixed with hard water.

• There are rust stains and plaque in the plumbing equipment, even causing blockages for small pipes, especially the shower.

• Water containers, kettles, hot and cold water tanks, the bottom of the washing machine cage ... appear plaque, residue.

• When used to make ice, hard water will create opaque ice and melt faster than usual.

Hard water damage

• Hard water is plumbing's worst enemy. Although difficult to find, undisputed evidence reveals that hard water severely threatens pipes and the whole plumbing system. One might even assume that their lines are in danger of freezing when temperatures get chilly or that serious bacteria or organic matter develop inside the pipe due to corrosion from lime and calcium deposits.

• Blockage of equipment and water pipes: After a period of use, hard water gradually causes plaque to form on the surface of plumbing equipment. When the plaque thickens, it increases the risk of blockage, especially for small pipes, showers, etc.

• Deposits of these substances in water can damage piping systems, filters, and other components.

• Hard water is a growing threat to these piping systems as it causes deterioration of pipes and build-up of free trade or scale on the insides of pipes. People who experience hard water often have many problems with the build-up and clogs due to the build-up.

Tips for tackling Hard Water

• Boiling "temporary" hard water: temporary hard water is hard water that mainly contains calcium bicarbonate. Boiling precipitates water-soluble minerals. Because boiling removes the calcium content of the water, the water will be softer. Boiling is a quick and cheap way to fix hard water for consumer purposes. However, it only deals with temporary stiffness, not permanent stiffness.

• Remove soap scum by using hard water to aid in cleaning: the minerals in hard water react with the chemical composition of soap to create "soap scum." To overcome these side effects of hard water, use a hard water cleaning formula. These products contain a solution against the positive calcium atoms in hard water. They make it easier to wash off soaps, which then help prevent them from forming scum in the first place.

• Use laundry soda when washing: Using laundry soda is one of the best techniques to treat hard water for laundry purposes. It is a chemical consisting of a salt of carbonic acid (sodium carbonate). It helps soften both temporary and permanent hard water. In a word, soda wash will remove calcium and Magnesium dissolved in hard water. Removing these mineral ions from the water results in softer water will make it easier for the soap to foam.

• Use some distilled white vinegar to remove Hard Water stains: In this way, vinegar can help neutralize the calcium content in hard water. However, you wouldn't want to pour a whole bunch of vinegar into your drinking water, would you? That's why using vinegar as a water softener is only ideal for cleaning. You can also use it as a cleaning aid for hand-washed clothes. You can soak limescale furniture in a bowl of distilled vinegar for at least an hour. You can also spray vinegar on appliances and surfaces to remove hard water stains and films.

• Invest in a whole house water softener system: A whole house water softener treats hard water as soon as it reaches your main water supply line. Every water outlet in your home will produce soft water. It's a big investment but worth it because you'll have soft water everywhere in your home.

Contact Local Rooter

If you would like a free quote on the installment of water softener in San Jose and surrounding areas, our professional plumbers at Local Rooter are here to assist you. Call us at 408-641-9245 or contact us here