Hard water is a frequent issue faced by homeowners in and around Bartlesville. Unfortunately, it can do significant harm to your plumbing if left untreated.

Learning the difference between hard water vs. soft water is the first step in protecting your home plumbing Below, the professional local plumbers at Farris Heating & Air will define 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 contains high levels 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 plumbing-friendly.

Signs of Hard Water in Your Home

If you have hard water, you may see several warning signs:

  • Whiteish mineral build-up on plumbing fixtures
  • Lower 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 Farris Heating & Air 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.

Common Hard Water Effects on Plumbing

Why does it matter if you have an issue with hard water in your home? Hard water causes minerals to attach to the inside of your pipes, which forms something called limescale.

Limescale buildup narrows the interior of your pipes, which can restrict water flow and even cause clogs or damage.

The following are examples of the problems caused by limescale buildup can cause in your plumbing:

Pipe Damage and Leaks

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

Appliance Damage

Mineral limescale buildup in your washing machine or boiler can result in costly damage. It forces these appliances to run less efficiently by coating heating elements and parts with limescale, causing them to fail.

Reduced Water Pressure

As limescale accumulates inside pipes, it chokes off water flow. You may notice signs of reduced water pressure, such as less powerful showers or tubs taking longer 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: Forms when soap reacts with calcium and magnesium in hard water to produce insoluble salts. This cloudy residue doesn’t wash off.
  • Hard water stains: Created when water evaporates and deposits minerals. It can appear as chalky buildup near faucets, as well as cloudy marks or streaks in sinks, showers and bathtubs. It can even leave residue on the glassware in the dishwasher. Sometimes hard water stains have red or brown hues if your water is high in iron.

Easy, Afforable Ways to Protect Your Home from Hard Water with Farris Heating & Air

How do you get rid of hard water? From professional water quality testing to prevention, Farris Heating & Air provides comprehensive hard water solutions in Bartlesville. We repair hard water damage, offering solutions such as descaling pipes and fixtures to remove stubborn mineral deposits and flushing appliances to restore performance and flow.

Our plumbing services also stop additional hard water issues before they start 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 soft, mineral-free water.

Stop hard water damage now! Contact a local plumber from Farris Heating & Air by calling 918-333-0376 today!