You see a white, crusty residue on your faucets? Your soap will not lather like it once did. And it seems your appliances are having a shorter life span than they ought to.
For an East Bay resident, hard water is often to blame. We at Almighty Plumbing put homeowners in East Contra Costa County right of these sorts of troubles on a daily basis and can tell you what is going on in your pipes. To discuss the particulars of your case, pick up the phone at (925) 304-1006.
Hard water, which is abundant in the East Bay as in much of California, is just water with its share of minerals, calcium and magnesium being the principal ones. There is no health risk in that. Yet the minerals will exact a toll on your plumbing and your finances if left unchecked.
What Is Hard Water?
In its journey from the ground and through the local supply, water dissolves minerals. Once in your home, this mineral laden water puts down deposits known as scale; scale is behind most of the trouble hard water brings. You will find homeowners in Walnut Creek, Concord, Oakley, Brentwood and Antioch to be familiar with the consequences, though how pronounced they are can differ by neighborhood.
Some Indications of Hard Water
Not sure if hard water is an issue for you? Look for any of the following:
- A chalky white or greenish film about your drains, showerheads and faucets
- Dishes, silverware and glasses that are spotted despite being put through the washer
- Shampoo and soap that do not lather
- After a shower, hair that is dull and skin that is dry and itchy
- Laundry that is stiff and scratchy and prone to fading
- Fixtures with less water pressure as time goes on
- An uptick in energy bills as the water heater has to put in more work
If any of this rings a bell, hard water is probably involved.
The Damage Hard Water Does to Your Plumbing
Where you can see it is not the problem with hard water, but what is happening to your pipes and appliances out of sight.
Scale accumulates within the pipe over time and constricts the flow of water. In older galvanized piping this means corrosion and clogs of a serious nature. It is cheaper to make amends for hard water early on than to put right such damage.
Then there is the water heater. Minerals make their way to the bottom of the tank in the form of sediment and the heater must labor to get your water hot. That is one reason a unit might not make it to the ten years it should and why your energy costs go up.
Appliances and Fixtures Are No Better Off
Your coffee maker, ice maker, dishwasher and washing machine will all be the worse for hard water as they are subject to mineral deposits that cut into their efficiency and longevity. Scale can clog the valves and showerheads, resulting in a loss of flow or a drip or two.
Bathroom fixtures bear the brunt of it in short order. Should a remodel be in the offing, we would advise you to put hard water to rights first to safeguard the new work. As we do both plumbing and bathroom remodeling, our team can put the whole matter in perspective.
Dealing with Hard Water
It is a problem you can put to rest if you are proactive. Some of the things a homeowner may want to do include:
- Put in a conditioning or softening system for the house
- Make a habit of flushing the water heater of its sediment
- See to the aerators and showerheads and clear away the scale
- Have any badly corroded pipes put in
- Get a routine inspection of your plumbing
Too many wait until the water heater gives out or a pipe does. Preventative measures are good for the wallet in the long term.
A Licensed Plumber in the East Bay
Michael and Javier Penate started Almighty Plumbing in 2019. The family business is licensed (California C-36 #1055136) and insured and we have the repairs and installations to back it up, complete with multi-year warranties you will not find with other East Bay plumbers. We are on hand 24/7 in the event of an emergency and cover all of East Contra Costa County for business and home.
Do not let hard water run its course in your home and make a bigger issue of it. Let us help you put your plumbing in good order for the future. Give Almighty Plumbing a ring at (925) 304-1006.
