The term “hard water” often baffles people unfamiliar with chemistry or plumbing. You hear it often, but what does it actually mean?
The simplest explanation of hard water is that it’s water with higher than normal mineral content, usually calcium-based minerals. The most common minerals found in hard water are magnesium and calcium, although a variety of other minerals such as gypsum also occur. Under most conditions, hard water poses no health risks to drink. It can make it difficult to create decent soap lather; it tends to create soap scum instead, and this is the most immediate effect of hard water that homeowners notice.
However, hard water has a more serious danger than simply making it more difficult to get a good tub full of suds. The minerals in hard water will have a harmful effect on your plumbing. Hard water can do damage to your pipes that lead to problematic and expensive repairs unless dealt with. The water treatment specialists at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. have solutions for hard water trouble with your plumbing in Orlando, FL. If you have questions, concerns, or want to schedule water treatment system installation, contact us.
The main difficulty hard water can cause for your plumbing is a build-up of “scale,” which are deposits of calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and calcium sulfate. (You can see why somebody invented a simpler name for this.) Scale will start to restrict water flow in your pipes. This can turn into an especially serious problem if you use a boiler, since the increased pressure can cause the boiler to overheat.
Because hard water encourages the creation of soap scum, build-up can lead to clogs. Hard water will also increase corrosion that will weaken pipes and make them susceptible to leaking and breaks.
There are a number of ways to combat hard water. One of the best is to have a reverse osmosis system installed to separate the minerals out of your water. There are also DI resin cartridges and a variety of filters that will help. Call in water treatment specialists to test your water supply and recommend a remedy for your hard water troubles.
Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. is one of your best options for professional work on your plumbing in Orlando, FL. We offer 24-hour emergency service, so call us any time.