Many homes in San Jose, CA suffer from hard water. Unfortunately, it can contribute to a variety of common plumbing problems, including clogs, leaks, and corrosion. Hard water can also dehydrate your skin and hair. Fortunately, modern water treatment technology makes it easy to soften your home’s water supply. It can solve all of those issues and ensure that your water tastes as it should.
Understand the Threat
Hard water refers to any water supply that has an unusually high concentration of minerals. Calcium and magnesium are the most common culprits, but your water may also include iron, sulfur, or other elements. While precise tests can determine your water’s mineral content, you can also use soap to test your water’s hardness at home. If you can add soap to your water and shake it without making bubbles, you probably have hard water. That process only provides basic information, so you should follow it with a precise water quality test from a specialist.
Minerals often taste foul, but hard water is safe to drink. On the other hand, it is not so good in other respects. It can deposit minerals on your pipes, clothing, and skin. Those minerals are highly destructive. Some of the damage is purely cosmetic, but hard water can also lead to expensive and stressful plumbing emergencies.
Frequent Clogs
As hard water flows through your pipes, it leaves a thin layer of minerals along their edges. It can also deposit minerals on faucets and shower heads. Small mineral deposits are harmless, but they gradually thicken over time. Large deposits reduce the diameter of your pipes, which increases the risk of a blockage. They can clog small holes on their own, but most large clogs also include hair, grease, and other debris. Soft water prevents mineral buildup, which makes it harder for that debris to get stuck.
Stained Clothing
Hard water can also damage your clothing. It interferes with your laundry detergent, which prevents it from thoroughly cleaning your clothes. The water can also leave minerals on the fabric, which often causes unpleasant yellow or gray staining. In extreme cases, it can stiffen your clothes, damage their fibers, and ultimately make them unwearable.
Damaged Fixtures
Minerals are bad for most appliances, and hard water can significantly shorten their lifespan. For example, calcium and magnesium tend to accumulate on heating elements, which reduces their ability to transfer heat. That puts extra strain on the system and increases the risk of a mechanical problem. Those minerals can also build up inside water tanks, which reduces their storage capacity. Clogged pipes and nozzles can crack or burst, which may destroy the entire system. Regular maintenance can reduce the risk of damage, but it cannot solve the underlying problem.
Unappealing Scum
In addition to causing a variety of practical problems, hard water can ruin your home’s appearance. It often leaves an ugly residue on sinks, bathtubs, and other water fixtures. In some cases, it creates a layer of soap scum. Hard water can also create chalky mineral deposits. Toilet rings, visible corrosion, and spotted glassware are also common. While most of those deposits are easy to clean, they return relatively quickly. Hard water forces you to choose between excessive cleaning and a messy home.
It can even cause problems for your home’s exterior. If you use sprinklers, they may spray water on the building’s siding. That usually causes unappealing streaks, and they can cover a large part of your home. Regularly cleaning your home’s exterior is impractical, so it is best to prevent the problem.
Dry Skin and Hair
Showering with hard water is bad for your skin, as it often causes dryness, itchiness, acne, and discoloration. Some soap residue may also stick to your body, which can clog your pores and cause other types of skin conditions. Hard water can have a similar impact on your hair and scalp. It leaches water from your hair, which leaves it dull, lifeless, and fragile. If you use hair dye, the minerals will also encourage it to fade. Short showers can mitigate the damage, but hard water will always cause some problems.
Many people who rely on moisturizing lotions do so because of hard water. If you soften your water, you may be able to stop using those products. That can help you save money and spend less time on your skincare routine. It is one of the easiest ways to take care of your body and improve your appearance.
Find a Solution
You can only prevent those problems by softening your home’s water supply. That requires specialized equipment, such as dedicated water softeners or filters. It is vital to find a qualified plumber to install that equipment. We can help you learn about your options and choose one that meets all of your needs. Our plumbers will also install your system and optimize its performance. The installation process can be quick and easy, but only if you work with experts.
Water Softeners
Water softeners are the best option for most homeowners. Many models rely on an ion exchange mechanism. They pull hard water into a tank, where they exchange their calcium and magnesium ions for sodium. The process introduces a small amount of salt to the water, but the level is low enough to be safe for most individuals. If you are worried about your salt intake, you can use potassium ions as an alternative.
A single water softener can treat all of your home’s water. It passes through the unit before it reaches your other water fixtures, which protects them from mineral buildup. Water softeners are automatic systems, and they require relatively little maintenance. You will need to replenish your system’s supply of salt or potassium, and you should have a plumber service it every few years. Proper care will ensure that your water softener survives for a long time.
Water Filters
Whole-home water filters can eliminate most minerals from your water supply. They also remove harmful chemicals and other contaminants. You can expect them to improve your water’s flavor and protect you from most forms of water pollution. You can even combine them with a dedicated water softener for additional protection.
Call Ribbs Plumbing Services
Hard water is unpleasant and destructive. Fortunately, we can help you deal with it. At Ribbs Plumbing Services, we can handle any plumbing repair or installation project in the San Jose area. We believe that our customers have the right to make informed decisions. That is why we offer complimentary consultations and always explain all of your options. We also want our customers to be completely satisfied with our plumbing services. If you have a problem, we will always strive to fix it. Those policies have helped us stay in business for more than 15 years. If you have hard water and have experienced some of the issues described above, reach out to us today!
