Plumbing 16 January 2023

The Impact of Hard Water on Plumbing Systems

Hard water is a common problem for many homeowners, and it can have a significant impact on your plumbing system. Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can build up in your pipes, taps and appliances, causing a variety of problems.

What Limescale Does to Your Pipes

One of the most obvious effects of hard water is the build-up of mineral deposits in your pipes. Over time, these deposits can blockage your pipes, reducing water flow and increasing the risk of leaks and other problems. In addition, hard water can cause your taps and showerheads to become blocked with mineral buildup, making them less efficient and less effective.

What It Does to Your Appliances

Another impact of hard water is the damage it can cause to your appliances. Hard water can cause build-up in your washing machine, dishwasher, and other appliances, which can lead to reduced efficiency and even breakdowns. This can be costly to repair and replace.

What It Does to Your Skin and Hair

Hard water can also affect your skin and hair. The mineral buildup can dry out your skin and hair, leaving them feeling rough and itchy. It can also cause a buildup of soap scum in your shower and bath, making it more difficult to keep them clean.

What You Can Do About It

The good news is that there are ways to address hard water problems. A water softener can be installed to remove the minerals from your water, preventing buildup in your pipes and appliances. Additionally, you can use descaling solutions to remove mineral buildup from your taps and showerheads.

It’s important to note that hard water is not harmful to your health, but it can be detrimental to your plumbing system and appliances. If you suspect that you have hard water, it’s a good idea to have your water tested and to speak with a professional plumber about ways to address the problem. With the right solutions in place, you can protect your plumbing system and keep your water flowing smoothly.

Kent Is a Hard Water Area

This is not an abstract problem here. The water across most of Kent runs through chalk and arrives at your tap carrying a lot of dissolved calcium. If you have moved here from a soft water part of the country, your kettle will already have made the point for you.

What that means in practice is that limescale is not an occasional nuisance in this part of the world — it is a constant background process. Every hot surface in the house is slowly acquiring a coating: the immersion element, the inside of the kettle, the heat exchanger in a combi boiler, the shower head.

Where We See the Damage Most

• Combi boilers. The hot water side scales up over the years and flow gradually drops. It is one of the commonest reasons a shower that was fine five years ago now feels feeble.
• Immersion heater elements, which acquire a thick crust and eventually fail altogether.
• Shower heads and tap aerators — the easy ones. Unscrew them and soak them in white vinegar overnight.
• Filling loops and isolation valves, which seize in place and then will not turn when you actually need them to.

Scale Reducer or Full Softener?

A scale reducer fitted on the incoming main is a modest measure that protects the boiler and the hot water side without changing the water you drink. It is usually the proportionate answer if your concern is the boiler.

A water softener genuinely removes the minerals rather than conditioning them, with noticeable effects on laundry, skin and the kettle. It needs space, a drain connection, and topping up with salt, and it is normal to leave one kitchen tap unsoftened for drinking.

We will tell you which is proportionate for your house rather than fitting the largest thing we can sell. Plumbing work is charged at £95 + VAT for the first hour, always billable, then £47.50 + VAT an hour, with materials agreed before we fit or order them.

Call 01732 792 454 or see our plumbing services.

In Summary

Hard water can cause a variety of problems for homeowners, from blocked pipes to damaged appliances. By understanding the impact of hard water on your plumbing system, you can take steps to address the problem and protect your home and appliances. With the right solutions in place, you can ensure that your water is clean, clear and flowing smoothly.