There are lots of things that can threaten the health and function of your plumbing system. Homes for rent with RPM Viking can also be affected by some of the more common ones such as high water pressure, improper waste disposal, poor maintenance, chemical drain cleaners, and bad installations, to name a few.
But an often-overlooked threat to plumbing systems is the water flowing inside the pipes. This sounds absurd because if plumbing systems are designed to carry water, how can water pose a threat to those same systems? The short answer: not all water is equal.
Water can be soft or hard, and the difference between these two types of water can make all the difference between a functioning and broken plumbing system. What is hard water, and how does it affect plumbing systems, especially in Chicago homes?
What is hard water?
Water from natural sources like groundwater, rivers, and springs always contains small amounts of dissolved minerals derived from the rocks and soils they flow through before reaching the taps in your home. Most times, these dissolved minerals don’t affect the quality of the water or our ability to use it for everyday purposes in the house.
Sometimes, however, water can contain such high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, that it begins to affect how that water behaves. Water with very high levels of calcium and magnesium is described as hard water, and it exhibits specific characteristics that make it problematic for home use and plumbing systems.
Impact of hard water on homes and plumbing systems
Mineral buildup in pipes
Over the years of hard water flowing through your plumbing system, the diameter of your pipes can slowly narrow. This is the result of tiny amounts of hard water minerals – calcium and magnesium – being deposited inside the line. Over time, this can lead to water pressure issues in your home, slower faucet and showerhead flow, and a decline in the overall performance of your plumbing.
Water heater damage
The one place where the impact of hard water is most felt is in your water heater. This is because the rate of mineral crystallization accelerates when water is heated, resulting in more hard water minerals being deposited at the bottom of your water heater tank. This makes the water heater less efficient: it runs longer, uses more energy, and becomes more prone to overheating and system failures.
Clogged plumbing fixtures
Hard water buildup in faucets and showerheads can restrict or even cut off the flow of water. One sign that these fixtures are clogged with hard water minerals is when they spray water unevenly, or white chalky deposits appear around the faucet and showerhead openings. This problem can severely impair your enjoyment of your plumbing fixtures.
Wear and tear on household appliances
Hard water also affects the function of the water-using appliances in your home. Scale (hard water minerals) deposits inside the washing machine, dishwasher, and ice maker will reduce their efficiency. The appliances run longer and louder, and they don’t work as well as they should – clothes do not feel clean and soft after being washed, and dishes come out of the dishwasher with stains.
Clogged drains
Scale deposits inside your drainage lines can also interfere with the flow of wastewater through the pipes. This problem is worsened by scum buildup in the system. Scum can combine with debris inside the drainpipes and sewer line to form large insoluble clumps that block the pipes.
Apart from its impact on your plumbing, hard water also affects other aspects of your life:
Reduced cleaning power
When hard water interacts with soap, instead of foaming, it produces scum – a white or gray film that sticks to sink, shower, and bathtub surfaces and also clogs drain openings and pipes. To combat the problem, homeowners are forced to use more detergent and soap than usual. This increases the home’s cleaning costs.
Why does Chicago have hard water, and what can you do about it?
Chicago’s water supply comes primarily from Lake Michigan, which in turn draws its water from groundwater and other sources that pass through deep limestone formations before reaching the surface. Due to this, the city’s water supply contains very high concentrations of calcium and magnesium.
What can homeowners in Chicago and its suburbs do about these problems?
- Install a water softener: This is the most effective solution for hard water issues in your home. A water softener strips out the excess calcium and magnesium in the water supply before it reaches your plumbing pipes and fixtures.
- Regular maintenance: Flushing your water heater periodically will remove scale deposits in the tank. This enhances the appliance’s functionality and extends its lifespan. You can descale clogged faucets and showerheads by soaking them in vinegar overnight.
Finally, for better advice tailored to the exact plumbing issues you are facing in your home due to the hardness of your area’s water supply, talk to a Chicagoland professional plumber.
