You’ve probably heard about hard water vs. soft water, but have you ever taken a deep dive into what each one actually is and what that means for your plumbing system? This guide will help you understand what makes water hard or soft, how each type of water affects your plumbing, and how you can best take care of your water system.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water has high levels of minerals, especially iron, calcium, and magnesium. The hardness of your water can depend on the geography and climate of your area, as well as where you get your water. For example, areas with more limestone or chalk deposits, like the Midwest and Southwest, often have harder water, and well water tends to be harder than municipal water.
Common signs of hard water include:
- White, crusty buildup on appliances and drains (called scale)
- Dry skin and hair
- Brown/red staining in appliances
- Spotted or filmy dishes
- Buildup and stains on toilets and showers
- Difficulty lathering with soap
What Is Soft Water?
Soft water, on the other hand, has low levels of minerals like magnesium and calcium. Water may be naturally soft, like it is in the South or Northeast, but it can also be softened through treatment systems if you live in an area with harder water.
Softer water is generally better for everyday use, such as showering, cleaning, and washing the dishes, because it doesn’t leave behind any residue or buildup and is gentler on your body and on appliances.
How Does Hard Water Affect Your Plumbing?
Because of the high concentration of minerals, hard water can seriously damage your plumbing:
- Mineral buildup inside pipes leads to clogs and restricted water flow.
- Scale (a hard, white buildup) in water heaters reduces efficiency and shortens the lifespan of your heater.
- High mineral concentrations speed up the wear and tear on appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, etc.
- Scale buildup on faucets and other water fixtures can cause corrosion and leaks.
- Buildup in pipes can narrow the openings, decreasing water pressure significantly.
How Does Soft Water Affect Your Plumbing?
On the flip side, soft water is gentler on your plumbing and helps you avoid many of the issues that hard water causes:
- Lack of abrasive minerals increases the lifespan of pipes, faucets, fixtures, and appliances.
- Less buildup and damage improve the efficiency of your water flow and performance of your appliances, lowering energy bills.
- Fewer clogs and less damage result in fewer maintenance calls, reducing costs and hassle.
- Softer water creates an easier lather, which limits the amount of soap and detergent you need for effective cleaning.
What Can I Do About Hard Water Issues?
Now that you understand the effects of hard water vs. soft water on your plumbing and everyday activities, you may notice signs of it in your own home. If you have an older system or notice severe mineral buildup on fixtures and appliances, hard water stains, reduced water flow, or any other symptoms of hard water, it may be time to install a water softener.
Whole-home water softeners either remove the minerals that cause water hardness or condition the water so the minerals don’t build up. There are two main categories of water softeners:
Salt-Based
Salt-based systems use resin beads charged with sodium ions to attract and bind calcium and magnesium ions in the water. During this process, the hard minerals are exchanged for sodium, effectively softening the water. The system periodically regenerates by flushing the resin beads with a brine solution, which replenishes the sodium ions.
The simplest salt-based systems can cost as little as $500, while larger or more complex models can be up to $5000. Salt-based systems require frequent maintenance, including refilling the salt every month and cleaning.
Salt-Free
Salt-free systems, instead of removing the minerals from the water, neutralize them so they can’t bind with each other and cause buildup. This conditioning process protects your plumbing parts and appliances from scale and other damage caused by hard water.
There are a wide variety of salt-free water softener options, with prices generally ranging from around $600 to $4000 dollars. Salt-free systems are typically lower maintenance, although they aren’t always as effective as salt-based softeners.
Both options work well, and the choice depends on several factors, including the hardness of your water and the size of your home. Talk to a trusted plumber to get specific recommendations for the type of water softener that will work best for your home.
When Should I Call a Professional Plumber?
If you’re still considering the effects of hard water vs. soft water, it may be time to call in the pros. If you’re noticing constant clogs in sinks and showers, extreme scale buildup, low water pressure, and frequent plumbing repairs, the hard water in your system could be causing significant damage to your plumbing.
It’s best to call a professional plumber like Bell Cow as soon as possible so you can make any adjustments to your water system now, saving you time and money in the long run. We’ll test your water and inspect pipes to determine the true cause and extent of the damage. Then we’ll create a personalized plan for getting your plumbing back on track.
Whether you decide to opt for repairs for now or invest in a water softener installation, we’re here to help you make an informed decision. So don’t keep fighting with hard water—schedule your plumbing inspection and let us give you a hand.