Hard water is a widespread issue facing homeowners in and around Waunakee. Unfortunately, it can cause serious damage if left untreated.

Learning the difference between hard water vs. soft water is the first step in protecting your home plumbing Below, the pros at Home Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning LLC will explain what hard water is, the warning signs you have hard water and how hard water affects your plumbing. Most importantly, you’ll learn what we can do to protect your home.

What’s the Difference: Hard Water vs. Soft Water?

How do we define hard water? It’s water that has a high level of of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals are safe for consumption but can harm 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
  • Low water pressure
  • Dry skin or brittle hair
  • Stiff or faded laundry
  • Shampoo doesn’t lather up well
  • Spots on dishes after washing in dishwasher

If you notice any of these signs, call Home Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning LLC for a professional water quality assessment. Our team will test your water hardness levels (grains per gallon/PPM), so we know exactly how hard your water is and how to fix it.

Common Hard Water Effects on Plumbing

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

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

Below are some examples of the problems caused by limescale buildup can cause in your plumbing:

Plumbing Leaks

Hard water scale buildup along the inside of pipes can create irregular surfaces. This speeds up corrosion and increases the likelihood of small leaks. This is especially true in older metal plumbing.

Appliance Damage

Mineral limescale buildup in your water heater can lead to big problems. It forces these appliances to work harder by coating heating elements and parts with limescale, causing them to fail.

Reduced Water Pressure

As limescale increases inside pipes, it chokes off water flow. You may notice signs of low water pressure, such as weaker shower streams 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 stubborn soap scum and hard water staining:

  • Soap scum: Develops 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 a crust around faucets, as well as spots, streaks or rings in sinks, showers and bathtubs. It can even cloud 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 Home Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning LLC

What can you do about hard water? From evaluation and testing to prevention, Home Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning LLC provides comprehensive hard water solutions in Waunakee. We repair existing hard water damage, offering solutions such as descaling pipes and fixtures to remove stubborn mineral deposits and flushing appliances to restore water flow.

Our plumbing services also protect your home from future hard water problems by installing a water softener. We also can work with you to find the best filtration system to remove hard water in your home. These systems help prevent limescale accumulation, providing clean, soft water.

Stop hard water damage today! Contact a local plumber from Home Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning LLC by calling 608-850-9498 today!