One of the worst things about having hard water in your home is that it can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. That includes not only your water heater and plumbing fixtures, but your pipes as well. Today we’re going to talk about how hard water builds up in your pipes and the effects that it has on your home’s plumbing system!

How does hard water build up in pipes?

When your tap water is hard, it contains an excess amount of calcium and magnesium minerals. These hardness minerals have the ability to leech onto the insides of your pipes. So as water continues to flow through your pipes, hardness minerals build up on top of each other and eventually create problems. Because hard water buildup develops gradually over time, many homeowners don’t realize that it’s occurring until it becomes a serious (and potentially expensive) problem.

Hard water buildup can occur in any of your home’s pipes, but it’s typically most problematic in pipes that carry hot water.

What types of problems does hard water buildup create in your pipes?

• Reduced water flow. As more and more hardness minerals build up in your pipes, there is less and less space for water to flow through them. This has the effect of slowing down your home’s water flow and reducing water pressure at fixtures like your showerhead and faucets.
• Complete blockage of water flow. Eventually, hard water buildup can completely close off some of your home’s pipes. This can be a huge problem that can lead to burst pipes and a lack of water at some of your fixtures.
• Increased likelihood of clogs. Another problem with closing off the amount of space in your pipes is that it makes it easier for other clogs to occur. Small debris that would otherwise be washed away can get caught on the hard water buildup and back up your pipes.
• Pipe holes or bursts. Hardness minerals can erode your pipes over time. When this problem gets severe, it can open up holes in your pipes and allow water to leak out.

Protect your pipes with a water softener

The best way to protect your pipes from hard water buildup is to install a water softener in your home. By installing a water softener, you can remove the hardness minerals from your water before they reach your pipes. This will help keep your pipes in good shape and water flowing freely throughout your home.

If you have any questions about hard water buildup in your pipes, or if you’d like a water treatment system serviced or installed in your home, contact EPA Water Consultants, your Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey dealer of water softener and water filtration systems. We service areas all over Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including towns like Lederach, Lehighton and Levittown, PA.