With the rough winter months upon us, there is quite a bit homeowners need to be aware of when it comes to their home plumbing, whether it’s for their bathrooms or for their kitchen plumbing. The winter months, especially on Long Island, can be very tough to deal with, as temperatures often approach the single digits, and freeze overs are highly likely. This is why, according to the team at Elite Plumbing & HVAC, the best residential and commercial plumber Suffolk County has to offer, will often advise homeowners that winterizing is an absolute must. However, there are also several other issues that might cause damage to your plumbing and one of the most common is definitely hard water damage. Regardless of whether it’s for your bathroom, sewers, or kitchen plumbing, hard water damage can be a huge detriment to your overall home plumbing system. According to the team at Elite, the best plumber Coram has to offer, the fact is that homes with hard water often have a rough time dealing with it. Hard water is naturally filled with suspended minerals like calcium and magnesium, and can quickly sour the experience of washing your hands, body, dishes, laundry, or anything else, by leaving a film or residue behind. What many individuals don’t realize is that it can be incredibly detrimental to your overall plumbing system and home appliances. In this article, we will be going over hard water damage and some important issues that can come about as a result of it.
What is Hard Water?
When you hear the term hard water, it can be incredibly confusing – because can water ever really be “hard”? The fact is that hard water refers to any water that comes from a supply that contains a high concentration of minerals – most commonly things like calcium and magnesium. As water goes through the Earth, and soil, it absorbs minerals along the way. And there are tons of minerals as you might know both in the atmosphere and in the soil. According to the team at Elite Plumbing, the best residential and commercial plumber Suffolk County has to offer, in addition calcium and magnesium you can find trace amounts of iron, zinc, barium, aluminum, copper, and other minerals. The higher the mineral content in the water, the “harder” the water is considered to be. The fact is that hard water damage is terrible on your plumbing and can cause a number of issues. Some of the most common issues are below.
Clogged Drains and Pipes
Clogged drains and pipes can occur for any number of reasons, but hard water damage is certainly one of the worst to deal with. According to the best plumber Coram has to offer, Elite Plumbing & HVAC, while the minerals suspended in hard water are too small to physically clog your drains on their own, they can react with soap in a way that generates soap scum that can harden as it travels down your pipes. Soap scum curds can harden into solid blockages that can mineralize as additional hard water travels through the area, creating plugs that can slow drains, interfere with garbage disposals, and clog toilets. Plus, not only are there sanitary hazards, but the clogged drains and pipes can also cause issues like pinhole leaks and joinery gaps. The more frequently pipes are clogged, the more internal pressure the pipes can experience, which can lead to issues like drips inside of your walls, mold growth, and even indoor flooding.
Unwanted Scale & Sediment
According to recent statistics, over 80% of Americans are living with some form of hard water, because of the seabeds, mountains and more being rich in minerals like limestone, magnesium and calcium. While it might not impact their drinking water as much, it can cause what is known as scale. Often, when you use water for cooking and irrigation, limescale can form everywhere, from the jets inside your bathtub to the drip pan at the bottom of your refrigerator’s indoor ice and water dispenser. If streams of water hit your home when your sprinklers run outside, you might even notice discolorations on your stucco, siding, or brick that can look white, chalky, or even rusty. This will not only stain things you wash or cook, but the sediment can find themselves in your ice, and leave resin and debris everywhere. It’s best to use water softeners or contact the professionals at Elite Plumbing & HVAC to handle such hard water damage issues.
Soap Residue Damaging Appliances
Anybody who has ever showered with hard water, or washed their hands understands that hard water can greatly interrupt the formation of soap bubbles and suds. Living with hard water often makes homeowners feel they need more soap and detergent for their clothing and cleaning. Not only is this just a waste of money but it can also damage your appliances. Many soaps and fabric softeners contain small amounts of fat, which can accumulate inside of places like dishwashers, washing machines, and sink drains. Over time, this animal fat can start to create foul odors, such as that characteristic front-loader washing machine smell. However, water softeners allow you to cut your soap use significantly, preventing problems. The softer the water, the more effective your soaps and detergents will be.
For more information on plumbing issues be sure to contact Elite Plumbing & HVAC today.
