Hard water is a frequent issue faced by homeowners in and around Florissant. Unfortunately, it can result in costly damage if left untreated.

Knowing the difference between hard water vs. soft water is the first step in protecting your plumbing system and appliances. Below, the pros at B & B 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?

What is hard water? It’s water that has elevated amounts of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals are harmless to drink but can harm your plumbing.

Soft water, by contrast has those minerals removed. Unlike hard water, soft water is doesn’tnot going to damage your plumbing system.

Signs You Have Hard Water in Your Home

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

  • Whiteish mineral build-up on plumbing fixtures
  • Low water pressure
  • Dry skin or brittle hair
  • Stiff or faded laundry
  • Shampoo doesn’t lather very much
  • Spots on glasses after washing in dishwasher

If you experienced any of these issues, call B & B for professional testing. Our team will test your water hardness levels (grains per gallon/PPM), so we can accurately measure your water hardness and how to fix it.

Frequent Hard Water Effects on Plumbing

Why does it matter if you have hard water in your home? Hard water causes minerals to stick to the inside of your pipes, which eventually becomes something called limescale.

Limescale buildup narrows the diameter of your pipes, which can slow water movement and even cause clogs or damage.

The following are examples of the problems caused by limescale buildup can cause in your home’s pipes:

Leaky Pipes

Hard water scale buildup within plumbing lines can create uneven surfaces. This speeds up corrosion and creates a higher chance of small leaks. This is a greater concern in older metal plumbing.

Appliance Damage

Mineral limescale buildup in your water heater can result in costly damage. It forces these appliances to run less efficiently by coating heating elements and parts with limescale, causing them to wear out faster.

Low Water Pressure

As limescale forms inside pipes, it chokes off water flow. You may notice signs of reduced water pressure, such as reduced spray strength or tubs needing extra time 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 form insoluble salts. This grimy buildup doesn’t rinse away.
  • Hard water stains: Created when water evaporates and deposits minerals. It can appear as chalky buildup near faucets, as well as spots, streaks or rings in sinks, showers and bathtubs. It can even cloud your 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 B & B

What can you do about hard water? From evaluation and testing to prevention, B & B provides comprehensive hard water solutions in Florissant. We fix hard water damage, offering solutions such as descaling pipes and fixtures to remove build-up and flushing appliances to restore performance and flow.

Our plumbing services also stop additional hard water issues before they start by installing a water softener. We also can help you find the best filtration system to remove hard water in your home. These systems limit mineral buildup in pipes, providing water that’s gentle on plumbing and appliances.

Stop hard water damage now! Contact a local plumber from B & B by calling 314-668-8530 today!