3 Things To Know About Hard Water
There are few plumbing problems that are as common hard water. When a home suffers from hard water, it can be necessary for homeowners to take corrective action. However, it is a common situation for homeowners to be unaware of the threats hard water can pose or what steps they should be taking to combat this common issue.
1. Hard Water Can Be Damaging To Your Plumbing
It is important for homeowners to understand that hard water can be extremely damaging to their plumbing systems. Hard water is characterized by its high mineral content; this can lead to deposits forming in the pipes and the plumbing fixtures. Eventually, these deposits can become large enough to prevent water from flowing through the pipes or tubes. When this occurs, the deposit will have to be dissolved or the impacted plumbing component will have to be replaced. Depending on the part of the plumbing that is impacted, this may require a good amount of work for the contractor to be able to reach the component. For example, some pipes may be behind walls, which can require holes to be cut in the walls to allow the pipe to be removed.
2. Water Softeners Are Low Maintenance
It is a common assumption that a water softening system will be extremely maintenance intensive. While it is true that these devices will need some basic maintenance, they are designed to go for weeks or longer without much work from the homeowner. Typically, the only tasks that a homeowner will have to do on a regular basis are to replenish the salt supply for the softener and to replace the water filter. The frequency of this work will largely be determined by the capacity of your water softener, and you should always check the owner's manual to ensure you are complying with the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.
3. Older Homes Can Be More Susceptible To Suffering From Hard Water
It is a reality that older homes can be particularly susceptible to developing hard water. Over the years, mineral deposits will start to form in the pipes of these homes, and these minerals can be leached into the water that is flowing through your pipes. Luckily, there are home-based kits that can be used to quickly determine whether or not your water is hard enough to warrant the installation of a water softening system. If you need one of these devices, these systems are usually fairly compact, which can make it possible to install these systems in the limited space that older homes often have for their plumbing systems.
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