Hard water is a widespread issue facing homeowners in and around Mechanicsville. Unfortunately, it can result in costly damage if left untreated.

Learning the difference between hard water vs. soft water is the first step in protecting your plumbing system and appliances. Here, the pros at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling will explain what hard water is, the warning signs you have hard water and how hard water affects your plumbing. Then, we’ll explain how we can protect your home.

What’s the Between Hard Water and Soft Water?

What is hard water? It’s water that contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals are not dangerous to drink but can damage your plumbing.

By comparison, soft water has those minerals filtered out. Unlike hard water, soft water is gentler on pipes.

Signs of Hard Water in Your Home

If you have hard water, you may see several warning signs:

  • Chalky buildup on fixtures
  • Low water pressure
  • Dry skin or brittle hair
  • Stiff or faded laundry
  • Shampoo doesn’t lather very much
  • Spots on glasses after washing in dishwasher

If you notice any of these signs, call Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for a professional water quality assessment. We will test your water hardness levels (grains per gallon/PPM), so we have a clear understanding of your water quality and how to fix it.

Frequently Reported Hard Water Effects on Plumbing

Why does it matter if you have hard water in your home? Hard water causes minerals to attach to the inside of your pipes, which forms something called limescale.

Limescale in plumbing narrows the available space inside of your pipes, which can reduce water pressure and even cause clogs or damage.

Here are examples of the problems caused by limescale buildup can cause throughout your plumbing system:

Pipe Damage and Leaks

Hard water scale buildup inside pipes can create irregular surfaces. This increases the speed of corrosion and raises the risk of small leaks. This is especially true in older metal plumbing.

Damage to Your Appliances

Mineral limescale buildup in your washing machine or boiler can result in costly damage. It forces these appliances to run less efficiently by coating heating elements and parts with limescale, causing them to wear out faster.

Reduced Water Pressure

As limescale forms inside pipes, it chokes off water flow. You may notice signs of low water pressure, such as reduced spray strength or tubs needing extra time to fill with water.

Soap Scum Acculation and Hard Water Stains

Another effect of hard water in your plumbing is unsightly soap scum and hard water staining:

  • Soap scum: Develops when soap reacts with calcium and magnesium in hard water to create insoluble salts. This dull, sticky film doesn’t dissolve.
  • Hard water stains: Formed when water evaporates and leaves minerals behind. It can appear as a crust around faucets, as well as visible residue in sinks, showers and bathtubs. It can even leave residue on your glassware in the dishwasher. Sometimes hard water stains have rust-colored staining if your water is high in iron.

Easy, Afforable Ways to Protect Your Home from Hard Water with Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

What can you do about hard water? From professional water quality testing to prevention, Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling provides comprehensive hard water solutions in Mechanicsville. We fix hard water damage, offering solutions such as descaling pipes and fixtures to remove stubborn mineral deposits and flushing appliances to restore water flow.

Our plumbing services also prevent new hard water damage from happening by installing a water softener. We also can help you find the best filtration system to remove hard water for your home. Water softeners and filtration solutions limit mineral buildup in pipes, providing clean, soft water.

Stop hard water damage now! Contact a local plumber from Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling by calling 804-979-2758 today!