Hard Water Damage
How It Affects Your Plumbing, Appliances, and What You Can Do About It.
Hard water is a common issue for homeowners, one that often goes unnoticed until the damage is already done. While hard water may seem harmless, the minerals it contains can slowly wear down your plumbing system, reduce appliance efficiency, and increase repair and replacement costs.
At JF Denney, we help homeowners protect their plumbing and water-using appliances with professional water treatment solutions, including Kinetico water softeners.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. These minerals aren’t harmful to your health, but they can be extremely damaging to your home’s plumbing system over time. As hard water flows through pipes and appliances, it leaves behind mineral deposits we refer to as scale.
Signs You Have Hard Water In Your Home
- White, chalky buildup on faucets and fixtures
- Soap scum in sinks, tubs, and showers
- Reduced water pressure
- Dry skin and dull hair
- Spots on dishes and glassware
- Appliances breaking down sooner than expected
How Hard Water Damages Plumbing Systems
1. Pipe Buildup and Reduced Water Flow
Mineral scale gradually builds up inside pipes, causing the space that water has to flow through to become much narrower. Over time, this can reduce your normal water pressure, cause clogs to occur, and increase the risk of leaks or pipe failures. The older your plumbing system is, the more vulnerable it is to long-term hard water damage, so it is important that homeowners keep an eye on their water and contact a professional if they notice any of the warning signs.
2. Increased Wear on Plumbing Fixtures
Faucets, valves, and showerheads exposed to hard water experience wear much faster than those exposed to soft water. The buildup of minerals from hard water can lead to leaks or even require you to replace your fixtures much sooner than expected.
How Hard Water Damages Appliances
1. Shortened Lifespans
Hard water can majorly shorten the efficiency and the lifespan of any appliances that use water. These things can include your dishwasher, your washing machine, your ice maker, and even your coffee maker.
2. Water Heater Damage
Mineral sediment from hard water settles at the bottom of water heaters, forcing the unit to work harder to heat water. Not only can this shorten the lifespan of the water heater, but it can also lead to a reduced amount of hot water and higher energy bills.
The Cost of Ignoring Hard Water
Performance isn't the only thing that suffers when you ignore a hard water issue. It also leads to the homeowner experiencing:
- Higher energy consumption
- More frequent plumbing repairs
- Shortened appliance lifespan
- Increased soap and detergent usage
Prevent the hefty cost of long-term damage by contacting JF Denney to help solve your hard water issues today.
How To Fix Hard Water Issues
The most effective way to fight hard water is with a water softener. JF Denney recommends the Kinetico Brand water softeners to get the job done right!
Benefits of Using a Water Softener
A water softener can do much more than just extend the lifespan of appliances and protect your plumbing from mineral buildup. Some of the other benefits that can come along with the use of a water softener are:
- Improved water pressure
- Lower energy costs
- Softer skin and hair
- Cleaner dishes and fixtures
Benefits of Using a Kinetico Water Softener
There is no shortage of options when it comes to picking the type of water softener that you want for your home. At JF Denney, we recommend the Kinetico brand for the following reasons:
- Non-electric operation – runs on water pressure, not electricity
- Twin-tank design – continuous supply of soft water, even during regeneration
- High efficiency – uses less salt and water than traditional softeners
- Custom-fit systems – designed based on your home’s water usage and hardness level
Why You Should Choose JF Denney
For more than 60 Years, JF Denney has been a top leader in plumbing, HVAC, and water treatment in the Kansas City Area. Being a family-owned and local company, we are committed to sending our trustworthy technicians to provide top-notch service to our customers and saving them money where it counts the most. Contact JF Denney and allow one of our skilled technicians help solve your hard water problems --
We work hard to earn your referral!