What is Hard Water Buildup and How Do You Remove It?
What exactly is hard water? Hard water is water that contains high mineral content, mainly consisting of calcium and magnesium. Hard water makes its way into homes after passing through soil and rock, with minerals being dissolved along the way before eventually entering your pipes. When measuring water hardness, grains per gallon (GPG) or parts per million (PPM) is typically used. If water has more than 1 GPG, it is considered hard. In this blog, we will discuss the various issues caused by hard water, different ways to remove it, and ultimately, how to prevent it.
Issues Caused By Hard Water
While hard water does not negatively impact your health, it can cause problems to plumbing fixtures, appliances, and more. Evidence of hard water includes the buildup of mineral deposits as well as stains. If you’re showering and notice your water pressure is low, hard water buildup may be the culprit. Hard water can cause damage to your plumbing fixtures and household appliances, ruin clothing, leave spots on dishes, and increase your monthly water bill.
Ways to Remove Hard Water
Hard water buildup can be removed in many different ways and the removal process is typically based on the appliance or fixture that is experiencing the buildup. If your sink faucet has hard water buildup, soak the area with vinegar and let it sit for 60 minutes, then rinse and dry. Showerheads should be removed and soaked in white vinegar for a few hours. An appliance like a dishwasher should be cleared of buildup by running a cycle using white vinegar (no dishes). For stains caused by hard water, we recommend creating a paste solution from baking soda and white vinegar, letting it sit for an hour or so before rinsing.
How to Prevent Hard Water
To best prevent hard water from causing damage to your home and plumbing, it is important to take the proper steps. To avoid stains from occurring, you must wipe down the area as soon as possible so that spots and streaks can’t form. Shower doors often see the effects of hard water, so it is imperative that you remove the water with a squeegee and use cleaner regularly. One of the best ways to prevent hard water is by installing a water softener. A water softener will remove the minerals from the water, thus making it so buildup does not occur.
Get Help From the Expert Plumbers at Stephens
If you believe that hard water is causing problems in your home, contact the professionals at Stephens Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today. We can help you determine your water hardness and look into a water softening system to eliminate any issues you may be having. You can count on our experienced technicians to provide you with quality work and friendly service. For over 30 years, our family-owned company has offered plumbing and HVAC excellence with fully licensed and trained technicians. When you need us the most, we will be there, whether it be due to hard water buildup or any other plumbing issue you may be experiencing. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you and doing what we do best!