Hard water is a frequent issue faced by homeowners in and around Moline. Unfortunately, it can do significant harm to your plumbing if left untreated.

Understanding the difference between hard water vs. soft water is the first step in protecting your plumbing, appliances and fixtures Below, the professional local plumbers at J.L. Brady Company 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?

So, what exactly is hard water? It’s water that contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals are harmless to drink but can harm your plumbing.

By comparison, soft water has those minerals filtered out. Unlike hard water, soft water is doesn’tnot going to damage your plumbing system.

Signs There is Hard Water in Your Home

There are several signs you may have hard water in your home:

  • Whiteish mineral build-up on plumbing fixtures
  • Lower 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 experienced any of these issues, call J.L. Brady Company LLC for a professional water quality assessment. We will test your water hardness levels (grains per gallon/PPM), so we have a clear understanding of your water quality and how to fix it.

Common Hard Water Effects on Plumbing

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

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

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

Leaky Pipes

Hard water scale buildup along the inside of pipes can create irregular surfaces. This increases the speed of corrosion and raises the risk of small leaks. This is a greater concern in older metal plumbing.

Damage to Home Appliances

Mineral limescale buildup in your dishwasher can result in costly damage. It forces these appliances to strain to operate by coating heating elements and parts with limescale, causing them to wear out faster.

Reduced Water Pressure

As limescale forms inside pipes, it restricts water flow. You may notice signs of low water pressure, such as reduced spray strength or tubs requiring more time to fill with water.

Soap Scum Acculation and Hard Water Stains

Another effect of hard water in your plumbing is noticeable soap scum and hard water stains:

  • Soap scum: Appears when soap reacts with calcium and magnesium in hard water to create insoluble salts. This dull, sticky film doesn’t wash off.
  • Hard water stains: Formed when water evaporates and leaves minerals behind. It can appear as chalky buildup near 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 contains high levels of iron.

Find Ways to Protect Your Home from Hard Water with J.L. Brady Company LLC

How do you get rid of hard water? From evaluation and testing to prevention, J.L. Brady Company LLC provides complete hard water solutions in Moline. 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 protect your home from future hard water problems with water softener installation. We also can work with you to find the best filtration system to remove hard water for your home. Filtration systems and water softeners help prevent limescale accumulation, providing water that’s gentle on plumbing and appliances.

Stop hard water damage now! Contact a local plumber from J.L. Brady Company LLC by calling 309-865-5564 today!