Hard water is a common problem for homeowners in and around Duryea. Unfortunately, it can cause serious damage if left untreated.

Understanding the difference between hard water vs. soft water is the first step in protecting your home plumbing Below, the experts at GLR Mechanical will explain what hard water is, the warning signs you have hard water and how hard water affects your plumbing. Most importantly, you’ll learn what we can do to protect your home.

What’s the Difference: Hard Water vs. Soft Water?

What is hard water? It’s water that contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals are safe for consumption but can harm your plumbing.

On the other hand, soft water has those minerals neutralized. Unlike hard water, soft water is safe for your plumbing.

Signs of Hard Water in Your Home

Hard water often leaves telltale clues around your home:

  • A chalky, white residue on fixtures
  • Reduced water pressure
  • Dry skin or brittle hair
  • Stiff or faded laundry
  • Shampoo doesn’t lather up when you wash your hair
  • Spots on dishes after washing in dishwasher

If you notice any of these signs, call GLR Mechanical 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 are dealing with hard water in your home? Hard water causes minerals to stick to the inside of your pipes, which eventually becomes something called limescale.

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

The following are examples of the issues that hard water limescale deposits can cause throughout your plumbing system:

Plumbing Leaks

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

Damage to Home Appliances

Mineral limescale buildup in your water heater can result in costly damage. It forces these appliances to work harder by coating heating elements and parts with limescale, causing them to wear out faster.

Lower Water Pressure

As limescale builds up inside pipes, it limits 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 Build-Up 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 produce insoluble salts. This grimy buildup doesn’t dissolve.
  • Hard water stains: Created when water evaporates and leaves behind mineral residue. It can appear as mineral rings on fixtures, as well as visible residue in sinks, showers and bathtubs. It can even discolor the glassware in the dishwasher. Sometimes hard water stains have rust-colored staining if your water is high in iron.

Find Ways to Protect Your Home from Hard Water with GLR Mechanical

What can you do about hard water? From initial testing to prevention, GLR Mechanical provides comprehensive hard water solutions in Duryea. We repair hard water damage, offering solutions such as descaling pipes and fixtures to remove build-up and flushing appliances to restore flow and efficiency.

Our plumbing services also stop additional hard water issues before they start by setting up a water softening system. We also can help you find the best filtration system to remove hard water in your home. These systems reduce limescale in your plumbing, providing water that’s gentle on plumbing and appliances.

Stop hard water damage in your plumbing! Contact a local plumber from GLR Mechanical by calling 570-569-1873 today!