Some of the problems faced by most of the homeowners in Niagara Falls include and the impact of hard water on your plumbing. Hard water is not a health issue, but soft water leads to many terrible and costly plumbing problems if not treated successfully. Knowledge of how hard water affects pipes and fixtures, and what can be done to remedy this situation, is imperative and essential to good practice for any building. This is especially the case if you are bearing the brunt of hard water on your Niagara Falls home, then you need a good plumber to deal with as soon as possible.
What Is Hard Water?
Water that contains large amounts of minerals, calcium and magnesium in specific is referred to as hard water. They are precipitated out of water as it percolates through soil and rocks—when hard water runs through your pipes, it leaves behind these mineral deposits called scale. This build-up of scale can create many plumbing problems that may need the services of a plumber.
Hard water can cost householders a pretty penny and has a highly destructive effect on plumbing systems.
Mineral Buildup in Pipes
The major problem area hard water has on plumbing is its tendency to cause deposits of salts in pipes and other equipment. Finally, the calcium and magnesium of the hard water can build the walls of the pipe, which results in pipe narrowing. This buildup can slow down the flow of water and reduce water pressure, and over time, create massive clogs that only can be resolved through costly pipe replacements. A low water pressure or a slow flow of water is an indication that mineral deposit is clogging your pipes.
Clogged Faucets and Showerheads
Mineral deposits from hard water build up tightly in the faucet aerators, shower heads, and other fitting and causes reduced water flow by blocking the passage. It can decrease the water pressure rate and that’s the reason why you are not able to enjoy your showering. More often than not, such crusts pose a threat to the fixtures since they add pressure and, in the process, cause a lot of damage, time and money being required to rectify the problem. A plumber in Niagara Falls can explain how to clean the faucet regularly so that such buildup is not noticed.
Water Heater Damage
The most significant impact of hard water is on water heaters.” These minerals cumber at the bottom of the tank and create a scale which in turn insulates the heating elements. This makes the efficiency of the heater to be low; the heater will work harder to heat the water as required. Occasionally, this scale formation results in the failure of water heaters within the prescribed useful life cycle. Acknowledging hard water problems will help you deal with them before they cost you more money to repair or replace your water heater.
Soap Scum and Stains
It is not uncommon to find that soap residues stick to sink, bathtub and wall of the shower in hard water areas. This is so because, with hard water, the minerals and the soap and detergent combine to form a scum, which sticks around. In addition to being hard to clean, it might require to stain your fixtures and the surfaces of your bathroom. In the long-run this results to wearing out of most of the fixtures and appliances within the given house.
Dishwashers and home appliances Damage
Hard water also affects other water utilizing entities including washing machines and also dishwashers for heating water. The mineral deposits may build up on some interior sections of those appliances and ultimately lead to the deterioration of the appliances’ efficiency and durability. Also, hard water deposits leave spots and stains on dishes, glasses and silverware apart from having difficulties in removing a shine on appliances.
What can be done to a hard water?
Install a Water Softener
I believe that today we have a perfect solution for hard water – a water softener which will be discussed further. This is equipment that can filter calcium and magnesium ions in water and in so doing replace it with sodium or potassium ions. This treatment also useful in preventing formation or accumulation of scale on the inner surface of the pipes, tanks, and other utensils and thus protecting your plumbing system against the destructive effect of hard water. A plumber in Niagara Falls can advise you on the best water softener to go for and also assist in installation process.
Routine Plumbing Maintenance
Having your plumbing system checked often can help identify the damage that hard water has caused, and will help eradicate the problem. A professional plumber on the other hand would be in a position to look at your pipes, your water heater or the fixtures that you may have in your home to determine whether or not they have any deposits of minerals and if they have then he or she can advise you on several ways that the effects of such could be dealt with. Another way of preventing these hard water issues from getting worse is checking and cleaning the water heater and other fixtures in your house regularly and flushing out the accumulated water from them.
Descaling Products
If hard water has already caused buildup in pipes and appliances, descaling products should be used to soften it no end. These products can be used by a plumber in Niagara Falls to eliminate the build-up of this scale and hence enhance the functioning of your plumbing system. But it is often temporary, and additional measures, such as the use of ionized water by means of water softeners, may be needed for longer results.
Upgrading Appliances
If you find that your appliances are being negatively impacted by hard water then investing in appliances that are compatible with hard water will be helpful. Today most dishwashers and washing machines contain materials and designs that are less vulnerable to their contact with minerals that can lead to a shortening of their life and decrease of their effectiveness.
Conclusion
Water hardness is known to cause residue within your Niagara Falls home’s pipe work, reduced water pressure and even damaging effects on pipes, washers and other fixtures. This is not however a serious problem since there are remedies that have been known to work effectively to combat hard water and included the under; When you hire a plumber in Niagara Falls for your home, you can safeguard your plumbing system, improve the functionality of your water system and increase the durability of your appliances and fixtures.