Clogs, corrosion, slow draining, and more: Arlington, Texas, has hard water that can harm your plumbing in various ways. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help protect your plumbing from its effects. In this article, the plumbers at North Texas Plumbing Solutions break down how hard water can affect your home and what you can do to help protect it.
Signs Your Arlington Home Has Hard Water
Hard water may reveal itself around your home in various ways, from affecting your clothes to leaving spots on dishes and fixtures. Here are some signs to look for that indicate your Arlington, Texas, home has hard water:
- Low water pressure: As hard water causes mineral buildup in pipes, it may slow the flow of water, resulting in low water pressure and potentially causing clogs.
- Appliances wear out more quickly: Hard water can cause scale buildup in water-based appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers. This buildup may cause appliances to wear out more quickly, operate less efficiently, and use more energy.
- Dry skin and hair: Hard water may leave skin and hair feeling dry.
- Issues with washing clothes: Hard water contains compounds that reduce the effectiveness of conventional detergent. When the detergent is affected by hard water, it may affect clothes in various ways. Some of these effects include clothes feeling crusty or stiff, clothes picking up dirt during the wash, clothes wearing out faster, white clothes turning yellow or gray, and colored clothes developing gray or white streaks.
- Hard water spots and soap scum are common: Hard water spots may form on dishes, glassware, and silverware. These spots form when mineral deposits such as calcium carbonate accumulate after water evaporates. When hard water comes into contact with soap, it forms soap scum, which may accumulate in places like shower curtains.
How Hard Water Damages Your Plumbing Over Time
Hard water isn’t just an inconvenience; over time, it may cause significant damage to your plumbing. In this section, we’ll highlight a few ways this may happen.
Scale Buildup Inside Pipes
As hard water travels through pipes, it leaves behind minerals that accumulate, potentially leading to clogs and other problems. While PVC, PEX, and copper pipes are more resistant to hard water-related clogs, clogging may still occur.
Water Heater Damage
Water heaters are particularly susceptible to hard water. Hard water can accelerate mineral buildup, causing sediment to accumulate at the bottom of a water heater tank.
As sediment builds up in tanks, it may cause problems, such as the following:
- Longer water heater run times
- Higher energy consumption
- Premature system failure, overheating, or even water tank damage
Tankless water heaters may also be affected by hard water, as mineral scale may build up on the heating element, reducing heat transfer and potentially causing error codes.
Corroded Fixtures and Valves
Minerals left behind by hard water may react with metal fixtures and valves, resulting in corrosion and rust that may eventually require replacement.
Reduced Dishwasher and Washing Machine Lifespan
Hard water may reduce the lifespan of appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines.
Washing Machines
Washing machines may be affected by hard water because they use water regularly. As a result, scale buildup may occur on components such as the lint screen, washing tub, and pump mechanism.
Dishwashers
Dishwashers may also be affected by hard water, as mineral buildup can affect their components. This may contribute to costly breakdowns or premature failure.
Higher Utility Bills
Hard water may contribute to higher utility bills in several ways.
- Appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines may become less efficient as scale builds up.
- Scale buildup in pipes makes it harder for water to travel through them, potentially contributing to plumbing problems.
Slower Drains
When scale builds up in pipes, it can create blockages that slow water drainage. However, hard water isn’t the only potential cause of slow drains.
Solutions for Arlington’s Hard Water
While hard water in Arlington, Texas, is a fact of life, there are steps you can take to help protect your home from its effects. We’ll cover a few options here.
Whole-Home Water Softeners
Whole-home water softeners, also known as point-of-entry water softeners, are designed to soften water throughout the home by reducing hard water-causing minerals such as magnesium and calcium. These systems can help protect the home’s plumbing system from the effects of hard water.
Salt-Free Water Conditioners
Salt-free water conditioners differ from water softeners in that they don’t actually soften water; instead, they condition it to reduce the likelihood of minerals sticking to surfaces. These may require less maintenance because they don’t require regeneration or salt. Many salt-free water conditioners also don’t require electricity.
Point-of-Use Filters and Softeners
Instead of treating hard water throughout the entire house, point-of-use filters and softeners treat water at specific locations, such as sinks, where it will be used.
Water Heater Flushing and Maintenance
Water heater flushing and maintenance are two ways to help maintain your water heater when dealing with hard water. It’s important to note that water heater tank flushing and professional maintenance may be beneficial even if you aren’t dealing with hard water.
- Water Heater Flushing: Water heater tanks are flushed to remove sediment, calcium, lime, and other minerals that may accumulate in the tank and on the heating element.
- Water Heater Maintenance: Hard water may contribute to corrosion of vital water heater components, such as heating elements. When corrosion occurs, certain components may require replacement.
Descaling and Fixture Cleaning
When scale builds up, it may need to be removed, particularly from fixtures such as showerheads and faucets. The rate of scale buildup can determine how often descaling is needed. You’ll want to take action as soon as you see it form.
Is a Water Softener Worth It in Arlington?
Yes, a water softener can be a worthwhile investment for many Arlington homes.
By helping protect a home from the effects of hard water, a water softener may help homeowners save money in areas such as:
- Lower energy bills
- Longer appliance lifespans
- Reduced risk of damage to pipes and fixtures
Water softeners may help address dry skin and hair associated with hard water, as well as water spots on dishes.
We’ll help you determine whether a water softener is right for your home.
What NTPS Recommends for Arlington Homeowners
For Arlington homeowners, North Texas Plumbing Solutions recommends the following:
- Having a whole-house water softener installed
- Having a reverse osmosis system installed under the kitchen sink to purify drinking water
- Using code-approved, scale-resistant pipes such as CPVC and PEX
- Having the water heater serviced annually to help flush out heavy mineral and sediment buildup
- Cleaning aerators, showerheads, and faucets regularly to clear minor mineral buildup
We’ll work with you to determine what’s best for your home.
Why Arlington Homeowners Trust North Texas Plumbing Solutions
Since our founding in 2015, homeowners in Arlington, Texas, and the surrounding areas have trusted North Texas Plumbing Solutions with their plumbing needs.
Here are a few reasons homeowners have trusted us:
- We’re licensed and insured
- Over 25 years of combined experience
- Five-star reviews and testimonials from satisfied clients
- No-obligation inspection and estimate
- Transparent communication
- Upfront prices
- A focus on lasting results
We look forward to earning your trust.
Contact Us for a Free Estimate in the Arlington, Texas, Area
While hard water is a fact of life in Arlington, Texas, there are ways to address it in your home. If you are dealing with hard water, the professionals at North Texas Plumbing Solutions are ready to help you. Whether it’s repairing hard water damage, draining a water heater to remove sediment, installing a water softener, or providing another service, we can help protect your home from the effects of hard water.
Contact us for a free estimate on services in the Arlington, Texas, area.