Open 24/7! Servicing all of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs
Our Average Response time is: 1hr 53min 47sec
The impact that hard water can have on your plumbing and appliances that use this water can be easy to overlook. While the water itself is fine to drink, though it may have a slightly unpleasant metal taste, over time it can wreak absolute havoc on your plumbing system due to the buildup of mineral deposits.
Join us, as we explore what hard water is, why it's an important issue to be aware of, and what to do about it to protect both your home plumbing system and your appliance efficiency.
Hard water is a mineral-rich water containing high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium, though it can also contain levels of other metals such as iron and manganese. These minerals are found in abundance in limestone and chalk deposits and are picked up by water flowing through them as part of the water cycle.
While hard water is almost certainly harmless in terms of human consumption (except for the metallic taste), it can cause mineral buildup and internal damage to plumbing systems and appliances, resulting in a reduced lifespan for both. Understanding what hard water is, what it does, and most importantly, what to do about it, is vital for homeowners, particularly those living in areas with high levels of calcium and magnesium in the earth.
Though dissolved minerals in hard water are invisible to the naked eye, over time they build up and up, adding new layers imperceptibly over time. The minerals in hard water are akin to dust in the air. We don't notice it when it's moving about, but we notice the layers once they settle, and once we do finally notice it, it can be a lot worse than we expected to find.
However, we may notice the problems if mineral deposits (also known as limescale or scale) build up long enough. Scale buildup restricts water flow, causing decreased water pressure and weakened water flow. It can also coat the inner workings of your hot water heater, sharply reducing its efficiency as it builds up in a layer between the water and the heating elements, wasting electrical power. If left unattended, both situations can lead to costly repairs or replacements.
The minerals in hard water affect metal surfaces, such as taps and metallic fixtures, by binding to them, which causes signs of corrosion, rust, tarnishing, and other types of damage. Over time, this rust and corrosion can break down the metals inside the workings of the tap, causing components to become fragile and/or stuck together. Eventually, and without intervention, fixtures will malfunction and break.
To save yourself costly and inconvenient replacements, it is best to regularly monitor your water supply and the impact it is having on your pipes to prevent corrosion and damage to taps and other fixtures.
Hard water can also seriously impact the internal workings of most household appliances. Hot water heaters are particularly susceptible to these minerals for three main reasons. First, many models have a large water tank so there is immediately a higher amount of minerals present. Second, the constant use of household hot water means water is constantly replenished from the mains, bringing more and more minerals in. Third, there are many important internal components that are made of corrodible metals.
In fact, modern hot water heaters have an internal rod called a "sacrificial anode" or "anti-corrosion anode" that is specifically designed to attract corrosion in order to spare the other metallic workings.
While this is effective for water with normal amounts of trace elements, hard water can overwhelm this rod and attack the other internal components, leading to reduced temperature efficiency, higher energy bills, and a reduced supply of hot water.
Dishwashers and washing machines are two other appliances that are at risk of internal corrosion from hard water. Both machines spray water over their internal workings, which, while watertight, can still contain metallic components. These inner components facing the water, by design, can still face corrosion, and if it is not addressed promptly, a small hole or crack can develop, giving the hard water-free access to other more sensitive parts of the machines.
Fortunately, there are devices called water softeners that can be fitted between the appliance hose and the wall hose to filter out the dissolved mineral content. Water softeners can also be fitted into your water supply, reducing minerals in the water sent to other parts of the house.
If you look inside your kettle and see a white chalky coating on the heating coil, then you're likely looking at hard water damage. It is best to remove this immediately with a limescale remover, as the corrosion acts as an insulator, meaning that even though the kettle is using the same amount of power, it is not heating water to the same temperature.
The same is true for other small appliances, like coffee machines, but can also impact other appliances like fridges if they have a cold-water function or ice maker built into the door.
While hard water can affect anyone, the effects of water hardness are more common in older or heritage homes in Sydney, especially if they have metal pipes over modern PVC plumbing. However, even homeowners living in new builds should be aware and stay vigilant for signs of water hardness.
Water softeners are a type of water filtration system that removes calcium and magnesium ions from your water supply by causing them to bind to components inside the water softener. Soft water lacks the metallic taste of hard water, is gentler on pipes and appliances, and minimises the chance of scale buildup or mineral deposits forming.
However, water softeners must be regularly maintained to keep them working at their best, so make sure you check them at least once a year.
It can be difficult to know what to do about hard water given that we have no control over what mains water pumps out to us, but what we can do is protect our homes where mains meet our home's plumbing.
Installing a whole-house water filtration system helps remove impurities and other contaminants from your water supply, but it doesn't usually remove the minerals that make water "hard". However, installing a water softener alongside your water filtration system can give you the best of both worlds, keeping your water both soft and clean. This makes it safe to drink and stops your appliances from undergoing hard water issues.
Installing a water softener or checking your pipes for signs of mineral buildup are not always simple tasks, so it's best to discuss water treatment options and have an ongoing maintenance plan with a professional plumber. Using CCTV camera technology, plumbers can inspect your pipes all the way out to the mains connection to assess and report on whether hard water is impacting your plumbing.
Regular maintenance is essential to protect your plumbing and appliances from mineral buildup. If you notice scale buildup inside your appliances, use a descaling solution to help break down the minerals, then check and replace any worn-out or damaged components, before inspecting in and around the connecting pipes for further signs of corrosion.
Maintaining your pipes and appliances helps to extend their life, improve their energy consumption, and keep them working at their optimal performance. However, sometimes emergency repairs or replacements are necessary, and for that, you need a trusted and licensed plumber.
Hard water can cause sudden and severe plumbing issues to occur, including burst pipes or major leaks. This is because as mineral deposits form and thicken, the pipe diameter reduces, and there is less room for the same amount of water to flow through. This will eventually lead to reduced water flow, but increased water pressure. Over time, the pipes will weaken as the plumbing system undergoes consistent high stress until cracks or splits form.
If this happens, call in an emergency plumber to handle the crisis quickly and effectively. They have the know-how and experience to assess and fix emergency situations before water damage accumulates or further issues can develop.
Virtually none. Soft water only has trace elements of minerals, typically 60mg/L or less, which has a negligible effect on plumbing and appliances.
A water softener will not remove existing mineral buildup, but it will prevent further buildup from developing. The only way to remove minerals is to use a descaling agent.
If you suspect you have hard water or would like an assessment of your plumbing system, call the experienced plumbers at Plumberoo. If you're in Sydney's eastern suburbs, we can be at your door within the next two hours, so avoid costly repairs and take action against hard water now.
Whether you need plumbing fixtures replaced, clogged pipes reopened, or a water softener system installed, the team at Plumberoo has you covered. Get in touch today to improve your water quality and restore your plumbing to its absolute best.
