Hard water is a common problem for homeowners in and around Des Moines. Unfortunately, it can cause serious damage if left untreated.

Learning the difference between hard water vs. soft water is the first step in protecting your plumbing, appliances and fixtures Here, the pros at Web Connect Child will explain what hard water is, the warning signs you have hard water and how hard water affects your plumbing. Then, we’ll explain how we can protect your home.

What’s the Difference: Hard Water vs. Soft Water?

What is hard water? It’s water that has a high level of of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals are safe for consumption but can harm your plumbing.

On the other hand, soft water has those minerals neutralized. Unlike hard water, soft water is plumbing-friendly.

Signs of Hard Water in Your Home

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

  • A chalky, white residue on fixtures
  • Low 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 Web Connect Child for professional testing. Our knowledgeable staff will test your water hardness levels (grains per gallon/PPM), so we can accurately measure your water hardness and how to fix it.

Common Hard Water Effects on Plumbing

What’s the benefit in knowing if you have hard water in your home? Hard water causes minerals to attach to the inside of your pipes, which hardens into something called limescale.

Limescale buildup narrows the diameter of your pipes, which can reduce water pressure and even cause clogs or damage.

Here are examples of the issues that hard water limescale deposits can cause in your plumbing:

Leaky Pipes

Hard water scale buildup within plumbing lines can create rough surfaces. This accelerates corrosion and creates a higher chance of small leaks. This is a greater concern in older metal plumbing.

Damage to Your Appliances

Mineral limescale buildup in your water heater can result in costly damage. It forces these appliances to work harder by coating heating elements and parts with limescale, causing them to fail.

Lower Water Pressure

As limescale accumulates inside pipes, it limits water flow. You may notice signs of restricted water flow, such as weaker shower streams or tubs taking longer to fill with water.

Soap Scum Acculation and Hard Water Stains

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

  • Soap scum: Develops when soap reacts with calcium and magnesium in hard water to produce insoluble salts. This cloudy residue doesn’t dissolve.
  • Hard water stains: Formed when water evaporates and leaves minerals behind. It can appear as mineral rings on fixtures, as well as spots, streaks or rings in sinks, showers and bathtubs. It can even cloud your glassware in the dishwasher. Sometimes hard water stains have a reddish tint if your water is also high in iron.

Find Ways to Protect Your Home from Hard Water with Web Connect Child

How do you get rid of hard water? From professional water quality testing to prevention, Web Connect Child provides complete hard water solutions in Des Moines. We fix hard water damage, offering solutions such as descaling pipes and fixtures to remove stubborn mineral deposits and flushing appliances to restore performance and flow.

Our plumbing services also prevent new hard water damage from happening 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 limit mineral buildup in pipes, providing clean, soft water.

Stop hard water damage now! Contact a local plumber from Web Connect Child by calling 123-456-7890 today!