Arizona is a state famous for breathtaking sunsets, desert landscapes, and sadly, some of the country’s hardest water. The climate and geography of Arizona are the primary contributors to statewide hard water problems. Many communities get their water supply from underground aquifers, the Colorado River, or both. In all these cases, the sources are rich in minerals. Even though this is largely a natural occurrence, you don’t have to suffer the consequences. If you live in The Grand Canyon State, chances are good that you’ve witnessed the impact of hard water yourself, particularly with your plumbing system. The results can range from reduced appliance efficiency to limescale buildup. Hard water can cause a lot of problems for both your home and budget. Learn what hard water actually is, how it affects plumbing, and things you can do to deal with it.

Hard Water: What Is It?

Water is categorized as hard when it contains dissolved minerals in high levels. Magnesium and calcium are the two primary ones present. When water flows underground, it can pass through deposits of chalk and limestone, picking up minerals along the way. These minerals aren’t harmful to human health, but they can result in substantial issues for the appliances and plumbing of homes and buildings they flow through. Water hardness is measured on two different scales. The metric system uses milligrams per liter, or mg/L, while the predominant system in the United States is grains per gallon, or gpg. The water in Arizona frequently measures 10 gpg or higher. Most scales list this as a “very hard” rating.

Signs Your Home Might Have Hard Water

Before exploring the specific impacts hard water has on your plumbing, it’s useful to know if you’re actually dealing with this. There are certain telltale signs that indicate the presence of hard water in your home. To start with, limescale buildup can be visible if you notice a white, chalky residue on sinks, showerheads, and faucets. On your own body, you might notice difficulty lathering shampoo and soap, and you might have leftover residue in your hair or on your skin. Soap scum happens more frequently in hard water situations. White streaks or spots can appear on utensils and glassware, and you might have stiff laundry that looks dull or feels rough after laundering. Reduced water pressure can occur for many reasons, but mineral deposits that clog fixtures and pipes can certainly lower your home’s water flow.

Five Ways Hard Water Affects Your Home’s Plumbing

Hard water’s impact on residential plumbing systems is as multifaceted as it is substantial. These are the five most frequent results of hard water moving through an Arizona home’s plumbing system.

1. Limescale Accumulations in Pipes

With enough time, hard water minerals settle in place and form limescale deposits. This is a crusty, hard substance that sticks to the interior of plumbing pipes. The buildup eventually restricts the flow of water and becomes a growing risk of blockages. In serious cases, you might have to replace the pipes because of reduced water pressure and a narrowed functional diameter.

2. Water Heater Damage

Water heaters can be especially vulnerable when hard water is present. Mineral deposits can settle and accumulate at the bottom part of a tank. Efficiency goes down, but energy bills go up. Even a tankless water heater can be impacted if mineral buildups start clogging the heating elements.

3. Clogged Appliances and Fixtures

Faucets, showerheads, washing machines, and dishwashers are essential parts of your household’s daily routines, but they’re also vulnerable to mineral clogging. That can lower their normal performance level and shorten their functional life span overall.

4. Higher Risk of Leaks

One of the risks associated with hard water is corrosion in metal pipes. Steel and copper pipes are especially susceptible. The corrosion can result in leaks that are hard to find and expensive to repair.

5. Increased Maintenance Costs

Appliances and plumbing fixtures needing frequent part replacements and repairs cost money each time they get fixed. Add in the costs of having a plumber visit your home multiple times, and you can see how your maintenance costs will rise.

What Can You Do About Hard Water?

Hard water is a frequent issue in many Arizona homes, but there are a handful of ways to manage or reverse its effects.

Technology

The most popular solution for hard water is also usually the most effective, and that’s water softener systems. These work by taking magnesium and calcium ions out of the water and replacing them with potassium or sodium ions. This effectively reduces how hard water is at the molecular level. These systems are either salt-based or free of salt. A salt-based system usually proves more effective at reducing hardness, but salt-free systems might be better suited for households worried about their sodium intake.

If you want an alternative to a traditional softener, consider a water conditioner. These systems don’t get the minerals out of the water, but they do change their structures in ways that keep them from adhering to surfaces in plumbing and appliances, resulting in reduced limescale accumulations.

A reverse osmosis system is useful for cooking and drinking water. It removes minerals and contaminants at the same time, producing high-quality water.

Professional Services

Cleaning the showerheads and faucets in your home can prevent clogging, but you might need professional help to flush your water heater of its sediment. Consult your plumber about vinegar soaks and descaling products that remove mineral accumulations on fixtures. Also, ask about upgraded plumbing materials, such as PVC and PEX, that aren’t as susceptible to scaling or corrosion as older copper and steel materials. Regular professional inspections can identify hard water issues and address them before they get too serious. If you do have hard water, a professional can find a water treatment system that is appropriate for your water’s contents as well as your family’s usage habits and capacity.

Advantages of Managing Hard Water in Your Home

There are solutions you can invest in to deal with hard water, and they include a multitude of potential benefits. Removing limescale accumulations can improve water flow by restoring steady pressure. Mitigating hard water can also extend the life span and improve the efficiency of dishwashers, water heaters, and washing machines. A water heater that is free of sediment will heat the water your household needs more efficiently, lowering your energy consumption and utility bills. Preventing corrosion and scale buildup can spare your home replacements and repairs that eat into your household budget. Finally, softer water makes shampoo and soap more effective. Everyone will enjoy cleaner, softer hair and skin, and your family will notice brighter laundry and spotless dishes.

A Persistent Challenge

Many residents of Arizona live with hard water on a daily basis, but the impact it has on your home and plumbing is anything but ordinary. Pipes can clog, and the appliances in your home might have higher maintenance costs. While the impact can be notable, the right solutions can manage these effects, protecting your home. You can take proactive steps ranging from upgrading your plumbing materials to the installation of a water softener. Doing so saves you money over time and lets you enjoy improved water quality and better plumbing performance. Addressing hard water complications is worth the time and energy of any Arizona homeowner.

AZ Family Plumbing serves Glendale and the surrounding parts of Arizona. We provide plumbing services like repair, maintenance, and installation for drains, sewers, water heaters, and more. Contact us at AZ Family Plumbing today for any of your home’s plumbing needs.

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