Have you ever heard someone say that they have “hard water”? You likely have, and it’s also likely that you believed it to be a made-up problem. Well, we are here to report that this is a very real situation, and it can potentially cause very real problems. Even here in Chicago, we are affected, as the United States Geological Survey has identified our city and some of the surrounding regions as hard water areas. So, what does this mean? Let’s take a look.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water is water that has an overabundance of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. The United States Geological Survey says that hard water is that which contains a calcium carbonate count of more than 121 mg/L. Water picks up these minerals when it comes into contact with rocks or soil during its natural water cycle, and the more it picks up, the harder the water becomes.
Here, in the United States, 85 percent of our water is considered to be hard water. Though it is safe to drink and bathe in, over time, it can lead to some costly plumbing issues. You’re probably more familiar with some of those issues than you realized.
Hard Water Effects
Many of us have experienced the effects of hard water, whether we’re aware of it or not. For instance, hard water leaves behind ugly stains and buildup in tubs and sinks. It also creates higher water bills, due to the fact that appliances are forced to work harder to push water through. To this same effect, more water must be used and wasted. This happens because the minerals in hard water interact differently with soaps and detergents. Hard water can even contribute to your monthly clothing and linen replacement expenses, as it breaks down fabrics much faster when washing.
What’s more is that the minerals from hard water can stick to the surfaces of your water pipes, which causes buildup in and around your faucets, as well as other fixtures that come into contact with your water, like toilets. This can obviously lead to more serious problems and damage as time goes by.
Correcting Hard Water
To address the issues caused by hard water, you’ll first want to have your water quality tested and have a plumber come out and inspect the extent of damage. Tritan Plumbing can assist you with this and help you come up with the perfect strategy to fix any existing and future issues that could potentially cause you and your family unnecessary harm or stress.
Hard water can cause all sorts of issues with your pipes, bringing about a very messy and potentially expensive plumbing job. If and when you are ready to address your home’s hard water issues or have any questions, contact our team at Tritan Plumbing. We have all of the answers and solutions that you and your family are searching for, and we look forward to being the team to help you through it.
