Although modern plumbing systems are designed to withstand damage to an extent, they can’t hold out indefinitely. After a while, pipes and other plumbing components that are exposed to hard water will eventually wear out or otherwise become defective. There are a number of ways in which poor water quality can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing system.
Hard Water Can Result in Clogged Drains
One of the common signs of hard water in your home is the presence of clogged drains. As water flows through your pipes, it will leave a layer of sediment that sticks to their interiors. Over time, the sediment will accumulate to a point where water cannot get through it.
The primary sign of a clogged drain is water pooling inside a sink or tub instead of just going through its designated pipe. In some cases, you’ll notice backflow occurring in different parts of the house. For example, you might see the toilet fill up with water when you turn on the bathroom faucet.
If left unchecked, a slow drain can become fully blocked, which may require it to be replaced instead of merely cleared out. When clearing a blocked drain, it’s important to use a snake or remedies such as hot water or vinegar and baking soda as opposed to caustic chemical cleaners. This can reduce the risk of causing more damage to a drain as well as prevent toxic fumes from wafting around your house.
You Might Notice Water Pressure Issues
A clogged drain can also result in water pressure issues. This could mean that it’s difficult to flush your toilet or take a shower because it isn’t possible to create or sustain a consistent flow of water. It may also be difficult to wash dishes, run your washing machine or otherwise complete tasks that require a steady stream of water.
Water pressure issues may also be a sign that a pipe has burst or is otherwise seriously damaged. Therefore, you should have a licensed plumber come and take a look at your home’s plumbing the moment you suspect that something is wrong.
Faucets and Pipes Can Corrode
Over time, sediment can cause corrosion on pipes and inside faucets. This means that each time you turn the water on in the bathroom, you could be causing damage that might cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to fix.
You might also notice damage to your water heater, washer or dishwasher after several months or years of use. At best, failing to remedy a hard water problem can result in having to repair household appliances or replace them well before their typical useful lives are over.
It’s possible that you might learn about a hard water issue because your water heater stops working, or you discover an issue with your dishwasher or washing machine. Water heaters are highly susceptible to sediment even if your home doesn’t have hard water, so it’s important to regularly inspect and flush them to prevent damage.
In addition, washing your dishes or clothes in hard water can mean that they aren’t truly clean. Instead, they may have residue on them that is difficult or impossible to remove. You may also notice that your skin is dry and itchy after taking a shower in hard water. Therefore, even if you aren’t worried about a corroded pipe, the impact to your health and comfort should be enough motivation to schedule a plumbing inspection.
Your Home Might Be Susceptible to Leaks
If a pipe is rusted out, it will have a hole or gap that water might be able to get through. If a number of pipes are rusted out, a significant amount of water might be able to seep into areas of your home where it shouldn’t be.
Perhaps the clearest consequence of a water leak is an increase in your monthly utility bills. In some cases, you’ll notice the impact that hard water is having on your pipes or other fixtures and can take action quickly.
However, even if the problem has only turned serious in the past few days or weeks, your water bill could easily be double or triple what you’re used to paying. The longer you ignore the problem, the larger the increase in water costs will be. It’s not unheard of for homeowners to be stuck inadvertently using hundreds of dollars worth of extra water.
Of course, there are other issues that you’ll need to consider, such as water serving as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, termites or other insects. It might also serve as a tool to attract scorpions, rodents or other creatures looking for shelter and water to drink.
You may also have to contend with mold or mildew growth in areas where water has leaked from a pipe. That mold or mildew could easily grow and spread throughout the rest of the house in a relatively short amount of time. In some cases, it may not grow in areas that you can see, which means there could be a major problem that you don’t even know to mitigate until it’s too late to do it easily.
You Might Have Poor Tasting Water
The metal that is in the water is going to impact the way it tastes, and it will also impact its color and the way it smells when it comes out of the faucet. If you consume too much water with a high metallic content, you could make yourself vulnerable to future health issues.
One easy way to remove contaminants from the water is to install a water filter on the faucet. You can also install a water softening system that is designed to treat your whole home. This will make your water safer to drink as well as less destructive to pipes and other fixtures. Your only other practical alternative would be to buy bottled water to drink or cook with.
Your Water Heater May Struggle to Produce Hot Water
Issues with a water heater may prevent you from taking hot showers, washing your dishes or cooking food even if you don’t have water pressure problems. This is because sediment can erode the lining inside of it that allows for effective heat transfer. In the event that water is capable of getting hot, it will take more effort to reach your preferred temperature, which means that you’ll pay more each month. A water heater that has to work too hard may also be at risk of dying earlier than necessary even if it’s free of sediment.
At Air Control Home Services, we can help you with air conditioning repair, furnace installation and other HVAC projects around your home. Our team can also help with electrical services, ductless air conditioning and heating systems to ensure that your house stays comfortable throughout the year.
If you are in need of plumbing services for your Lake Havasu, AZ home, call Air Control Home Services today!
