Hard Water and its Effects on Your Drainage
When water contains an excess of minerals like calcium and magnesium, it’s known as hard water. Usually, rainwater (which is soft water) that dissolves chalk and limestone deposits in the ground as it runs into waterways is what leads to hard water being formed.
It’s unclear if hard water can affect human health in a negative way; in fact, it’s used as a supplement for those who lack calcium and magnesium. However, its effects on other objects, including its ability to corrode metal, are well-known.
So what else can hard water do, as far as your plumbing system is concerned? There are a few effects to keep an eye out for, to tell the truth. While you won’t always have to avail those blocked drain plumber Melbourne services, that’s a real possibility, especially if you leave the problem alone for long enough.
Causes Limescale
If you’re not sure whether you use hard water in your home, there are a few things that will clue you in. For example, hard water can leave spots and marks on your dishes, while clothes can become scratchy or stiff, instead of soft and pliable.
A more visible sign that you’re using hard water, though, is the appearance of limescale in your sinks or on appliances. This is the chalk-like markings or residue that’s left behind when water evaporates, caused by an excess of calcium in the water. Besides not being nice to look at in general, limescale buildup can result in foul-tasting water.
Corrodes Pipes
As mentioned earlier, hard water is capable of corroding metal, which can spell trouble for anyone’s plumbing system. If not taken care of immediately, your pipes can corrode enough to cause a significant leak. This would mean a higher water bill as well as a potentially costly repair job.
Causes Blocked Drains
This can happen in a number of ways, with the first one involving limescale. If allowed to build up in your drainage system, it will reach a point where there’s enough residue to cause a blocked pipe or drain.
Hard water and soap-based products are also a bad combination for your drains. Because of the chemical composition of soap and hard water, these two won’t create a lather but will form soap scum instead. As with limescale, when not dealt with early enough, soap scum can build up and eventually block your drain (or drains).
Keeping Effects of Hard Water At Bay
If you haven’t already, invest in water filtration devices to lessen the amount of minerals in your water, and avoid using hard water in or on all your appliances to prevent limescale buildup, and consider a water filtration device to lessen the amount of minerals in your water.
You can also try and regularly remove any limescale you spot on drains and appliances, and consider replacing the cleaning products and detergents you use with non-soap based ones to prevent soap scum from forming.