Health

Hard Water vs. Soft Water – How Are Your Pipes Affected?

It’s important to understand the consequences of water on your houses and ourselves. Water quality in your house may significantly impact your plumbing system, appliances, and even your health. The consequences of hard vs. soft water on your houses — and on yourselves — are determined by the kind of water flowing through your pipes. However, how can you know which water is best for your home, family, and plumbing system?

Recognize the Characteristics of Hard Water

When specific minerals are present in the water system as it reaches your house or business, it is called hard water. The water includes significant concentrations of calcium and magnesium, which accumulate with time and are also almost hard to remove. These minerals are not eliminated during the water treatment process and remain in your homes and businesses. Water that falls from the sky begins as a liquid due to its inability to transport as many minerals during evaporation. However, when it travels down the ground, water accumulates minerals and becomes hard water. ‌

Supply Water

The world’s water supply is divided into two types: soft water and hard water. Soft water is water that is low in calcium and magnesium minerals and has a low PH. Hard water is water that is mineral-rich in calcium and magnesium and has a high PH. Soft water is rainwater. While it is safe to drink, the effect on our lives and our pipes is very different.

The Effects of Hard Water on Pipes

Corrosion

Calcium and magnesium can corrode specific kinds of metal, many of which are utilized in older houses’ plumbing. Minerals gradually corrode the metal in your pipes. This might result in leaks, breakage, and discoloration of the water. Without repairing the corrosive piece of the pipe and removing the hard water deposits, fundamental components of your plumbing system may dissolve. 

For example, you may find Sacramento plumbing services in your area to replace a significant amount of your plumbing system. Corrosion is a natural process on every metal surface, not just your pipes. Also, calcium and magnesium may corrode faucets, valves, appliances, and fixtures.

Reduced Lifespan

While some of the problems caused by hard water, such as a lack of suds from soap or shampoo, are just aesthetic, others, such as scale buildup within pipes, decreased water heater lifetime, and damage to boilers equipment may be rather significant. One of the primary concerns with these hard water issues is often imperceptible.

Hard water has a more significant impact on appliances than heat water since heating causes more calcium carbonate deposits.

Broken Pipes and Leaks

Pipe breaks and leaks caused by hard water occur in two ways. First, hard water is quite corrosive to the materials used in older dwellings. Minerals eventually eat through the pipe, creating a tiny hole on the side. The hole continues to develop in size until you have a significant leak on your hands. Second, mineral deposits within the pipes obstruct water flow. If the same amount of water is forced through the plumbing at the same rate, pressure develops, and the pipes and connectors finally collapse.

The Effect of Soft Water on Your Pipes

Extending the Life of Your Plumbing

Using soft water in your house is not just beneficial to your health. Additionally, it is beneficial to your plumbing systems. While hard water is abrasive and contains foreign impurities that eat away at your plumbing, soft water is kinder and places substantially less pressure on your whole plumbing system.

Facilitating the passage of hard water daily is a difficult task for your plumbing system. The steady stream of corrosive minerals wears down pipelines and fittings, resulting in a significantly reduced lifetime. Simply by switching to soft water, you may easily extend the life of your plumbing fixtures and system.

Reduce the Amount of Maintenance Required

How often do you encounter blocked pipes or toilets? How often do you have overflows? These issues may be caused by a buildup of calcium and other minerals within pipes. By softening your water, you can minimize the hassle associated with plumbing system maintenance.

When hard water is utilized in high-efficiency appliances, the efficiency of the equipment reduces dramatically. For example, dishwashers and washing machines may keep their original manufacturing efficiency rating when used with soft water or treated water.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button