Hard water may be wrecking your plumbing — here's what to do about it
Hard water can cause a world of problems with your plumbing and appliances. Here's what to watch out for and how to address the problem.
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Maybe you've noticed a white, chalky buildup on your sink faucets or on the walls of your shower. Maybe you're struggling to get your soap and shampoo to lather well, and you just can't figure out why. These are just a couple of the common signs of hard water, which can silently wreak havoc on your home's plumbing if you don't get out in front of the problem.
A significant portion of the U.S. has hard water, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Geological Survey . If you live in the Central or Southern U.S., you're particularly likely to have high levels of minerals like calcium carbonate in your water. This article explains what exactly that means, why hard water is so rough on plumbing and what you can do about it.
What is hard water?
White, chalky residue on sink faucets is one of the most common signs of hard water
Hard water refers to water with a high concentration of certain minerals. "We call water hard if it contains a lot of calcium, magnesium or other minerals," according to How Stuff Works .
Water with high mineral content isn't necessarily unhealthy, but it can lead to other problems, especially when it comes to plumbing.
How to tell if you have hard water
A person using an at-home water quality test kit
It's usually pretty easy to tell if you have hard water, because the signs will show up in your sinks, bathtubs and showers, and maybe even on your appliances.
The most common sign of hard water is a white, chalky residue that accumulates around faucets, fixtures, sink basins, shower walls and anywhere else that frequently gets wet in your home.
You may also start to notice that your skin gets especially dry, itchy or irritated after a shower, or that your soaps and shampoos aren't lathering up the way they should.
Other signs of hard water include:
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Stubborn spots on dishes and glasses after washing
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Clothes that feel stiff or rough after washing
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White residue or buildup on coffee makers or tea kettles
If the hard water issue is particularly bad, you may also start to notice decreased water pressure, chronically clogged drains, slow-to-heat water or appliances that start requiring frequent repairs.
That said, visual cues aren't always enough to tell whether or not your water is hard (or how hard it is). In this case, you can purchase low-cost hard water testing kits online, like this Varify water hardness test kit available on Amazon.
Is hard water bad for plumbing?
Copper plumbing tends to be less susceptible to hard water damage, as long as it's used consistently
"Over time hard water can leave deposits that can damage your pipes," according to American Home Shield , a nationwide home warranty company. These deposits are known as hard water buildup, scale or limescale, which can cause problems like clogged pipes and reduced water pressure. Buildup can also interfere with the efficiency of appliances like dishwashers and water heaters, per American Home Shield. In extreme cases, pipes can become fully blocked by scale deposits.
American Home Shield also notes that "some types of plumbing are more susceptible to hard water clogging than others." Copper, PVC and PEX piping tend to be more resistant to mineral buildups than other types of plumbing, for example, but no plumbing is immune to damage if you have hard water.
Hard water can also reduce the overall lifespan of your home's plumbing, according to That HVAC Guy . "The minerals in hard water can accelerate corrosion in metal pipes, leading to pinhole leaks and eventual pipe failure years earlier than expected."
Hard water can also damage your appliances
Anything that's consistently exposed to hard water can take damage, including dishwashers
Pipes aren't the only thing that will suffer from hard water. Everything from dishwashers and washing machines to water heaters and coffee makers has to work harder when consistently exposed to mineral-heavy water.
"Hard water is especially tough on water heaters," according to That HVAC Guy. "The minerals settle at the bottom of the tank, forming a layer of sediment that forces your heater to work harder to transfer heat to the water." That HVAC Guy notes that this can lead to reduced energy efficiency, higher utility bills, longer heating times and premature tank failure.
"A water heater that should last 10 [to] 15 years might only last [six to eight] years with untreated hard water."
What to do about hard water
Installing a whole-home water softener is the best way to protect your plumbing and appliances from limescale
Hard water is a system-wide problem that requires a system-wide solution.
The best way to address hard water is to install a whole-house water softener , which differs from a water filter. Despite common misconceptions, water filtration systems alone cannot remediate hard water. Filters remove things like contaminants, bacteria and chlorine, while water softeners remove minerals like calcium and magnesium that lead to scale buildup.
"A water softener works by exchanging the calcium and magnesium ions in hard water with sodium or potassium ions, effectively reducing mineral content and softening the water," according to How Stuff Works.
If your home's plumbing already has a significant amount of buildup, you may need to replace certain pipes or potentially even pay for whole-house repiping.
However, if the problem hasn't passed the point of no return, you may be able to get away with descaling instead. "The main techniques used in descaling include chemical, mechanical and electronic methods, each selected based on the specific needs of the plumbing system and the severity of the scale buildup," according to Pipe Restoration Solutions , a nationwide provider of pipe repair services.
Bottom line: If your home has a significant hard water issue, you should start by calling a trusted plumber in your area to discuss options. A plumber may suggest descaling, or they may recommend repiping if the problem is bad enough. Either way, you should plan to install a water softening system to prevent future scale buildup and plumbing damage.
