Do you live in a hard water area? If you’ve ever spotted chalky white spots on your taps or bathroom fittings, or ever found it a little tricky to lather up your soap or shampoo, you might be dealing with hard water.
Although it’s a common problem throughout the nation, there are some downsides to this type of water, and in actual fact, it can cause some real issues for your plumbing systems over time. Here, we’ll explain how hard water can damage your system – and what you can do about it.
What is hard water?
Hard water contains higher levels of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. They’re not going to cause you any harm, but they’re not particularly beneficial to your pipes and plumbing fixtures.
Limescale is one of the biggest problems you might be experiencing. Limescale is a build-up of mineral deposits, which collect and harden as time goes by. Hardened limescale within your plumbing system can be a recipe for disaster.
What problems might I face?
A limescale build-up can restrict your water flow, but also increase the pressure in your pipes, which could lead to nuisance leaks or even a burst pipe. Your appliances, like your washing machine or dishwasher, can be affected too, and hard water can make them less efficient and shorten their lifespan.
Even if you have a copper piping system, you could still be at risk of problems caused by hard water and limescale. Although copper pipe and copper pipe fittings, such as those from https://watkinspowis.co.uk/products/copper-pipe-fittings-and-press-systems, are super durable and corrosion resistant, they can still be vulnerable to mineral deposits that can cling to the wall of the pipe or the copper pipe fittings, weakening the connection and increasing the chances of a dreaded leak.
What can I do about it?
Installing a water softener is a super effective way to protect your plumbing. In addition, regularly checking and maintaining your pipework can keep you ahead of the game and save money and stress in the long term.
