Hard water is a frequent issue faced by homeowners in and around Smyrna. Unfortunately, it can result in costly damage if left untreated.

Understanding the difference between hard water vs. soft water is the first step in protecting your plumbing system and appliances. Here, the pros at Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC will explain what hard water is, the warning signs you have hard water and how hard water affects your plumbing. We’ll also explain steps we can take to protect your home.

What’s the Between Hard Water and Soft Water?

How do we define hard water? It’s water that has a high level of of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals are not dangerous to drink but can damage your plumbing.

On the other hand, soft water has those minerals removed. Unlike hard water, soft water is gentler on pipes.

Signs of Hard Water in Your Home

Hard water often leaves telltale clues around your home:

  • Chalky buildup on fixtures
  • Low water pressure
  • Dry skin or brittle hair
  • Stiff or faded laundry
  • Shampoo doesn’t lather up when you wash your hair
  • Spots on glasses after washing in dishwasher

If you see any of these warning signs in your own home, call Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC for expert evaluation. Our team will test your water hardness levels (grains per gallon/PPM), so we can accurately measure your water hardness and how to fix it.

Common 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 forms something called limescale.

Limescale accumulation narrows the diameter of your pipes, which can restrict water flow and even cause clogs or breaks.

The following are examples of the damage hard water limescale buildup can cause in your home’s pipes:

Pipe Damage and Leaks

Hard water scale buildup along the inside of pipes can create uneven surfaces. This speeds up corrosion and creates a higher chance of small leaks. This is most likely in older metal plumbing.

Appliance Damage

Mineral limescale buildup in your dishwasher can cause serious issues. It forces these appliances to run less efficiently by coating heating elements and parts with limescale, causing them to break down sooner.

Reduced Water Pressure

As limescale accumulates inside pipes, it chokes off water flow. You may notice signs of restricted water flow, such as weaker shower streams 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: Appears when soap reacts with calcium and magnesium in hard water to create insoluble salts. This grimy buildup doesn’t wash off.
  • Hard water stains: Created when water evaporates and leaves behind mineral residue. It can appear as mineral rings on fixtures, as well as spots, streaks or rings in sinks, showers and bathtubs. It can even discolor your glassware in the dishwasher. Sometimes hard water stains have red or brown hues if your water contains high levels of iron.

Find Ways to Protect Your Home from Hard Water with Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC

How do you get rid of hard water? From professional water quality testing to prevention, Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC provides complete hard water solutions in Smyrna. We fix hard water damage, offering solutions such as descaling pipes and fixtures to remove mineral acculation and flushing appliances to restore flow and efficiency.

Our plumbing services also prevent new hard water damage from happening by setting up a water softening system. We also can work with you to find the best filtration system to remove hard water for your home. These systems help prevent limescale accumulation, providing water that’s gentle on plumbing and appliances.

Stop hard water damage now! Contact a local plumber from Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC by calling 302-653-0503 today!