Category: Hard Water

Water hardness is a sneaky culprit that often goes unnoticed, silently affecting the efficiency and longevity of your appliances and plumbing.  Have you ever found yourself questioning why your water heater doesn’t have the longevity it should, or why your appliances seem to wear out faster than anticipated? Have you had trouble with poor water pressure in your plumbing system? Hard water might be the culprit. This invisible problem can have significant consequences on your home, causing damage to your plumbing system. In this blog, we’ll uncover the hard truth about hard water, the problems it can cause, and the solution you need to protect your home. Is Your Water Hard Enough to Cause These Problems? Water Heater Damage One of the most common issues from hard water is its damage to your water heater. The minerals in hard water, like calcium and magnesium, gradually accumulate inside the water heater tank, forming a stubborn layer known as limescale. This buildup occurs more rapidly due to the elevated temperature within the tank, creating a perfect environment for mineral dissolution. As this limescale thickens, it acts as an insulating barrier that prevents heat from escaping the tank. The result? An overheated tank, … Continue reading Is Your Water Hard? It Could Cause These Problems

Having a water softener in your home can be a great way to improve your water quality. But in order for a water softener to work properly, it’s important to set it to the right hardness level. In this blog, we’ll take a look at what should your water softener hardness should be set at and why it’s important to get it right. What Should My Water Softener Hardness Be Set At? The hardness of water is measured in grains per gallon (GPG), parts per million (PPM), or milligrams per liter (MG/L). The average hardness of the water in the United States is about 60 GPG, but the range can be from 0 to over 400 GPG. Water is considered “hard” when it has a high concentration of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.    You can find your water’s hardness level by looking at the concentration levels: Anything less than 75 mg/L is considered soft; Anything between 76 and 150 mg/L indicates that the water is moderately hard;  Anything between 151 and 300 mg/L indicates that the water is hard;  And anything above 300 mg/L indicates that the water is very hard. A basic rule of thumb is that … Continue reading What Should My Water Softener Hardness Be Set At?

If you notice your water softener leaking, you don’t need to panic, but you should fix it as soon as possible. In this article, I talk about some of the most common scenarios as well as some solutions that you can try on your own before contacting a plumber. Important note: before trying to figure out where the water is coming from, disconnect the water softener’s power supply. Always remember, safety first! Scenario #1: Rotor Valve The rotor valve on your water softener is usually located at the top of the unit. As the source of water into the water softener, the rotor valve is often the source of leaks. Over time, it can develop cracks and need to be replaced. If you do not notice any cracks or breakage around the rotor valve but you can see water coming from it, the problem could be the seal located on the inside of the valve. In either case, you will need to contact a professional plumber to fix the issue. Scenario #2: Punctured Brine Tank The brine tank is where you place the salt. In case you didn’t know, water softeners work by replacing calcium and magnesium ions in your … Continue reading Why Is My Water Softener Leaking? Solutions for Some Common Scenarios

Thinking of adding a hard water treatment system to your plumbing? Get more information about why you should in this article. You have scrubbed the deposits from your sink, felt the residue on your skin, replaced your shower head more times than you can remember—maybe it’s time to install a water softener. If you are tired of dealing with the effects of hard water, this solution is pretty easy to put into action. Here are five reasons why you should stop putting it off. 5 Reasons to Install Hard Water Treatment Scale Deposits A clean home is a happy home, but hard water makes cleaning surfaces a pain. When the water on your shower door or in your kitchen sink evaporates, you’re left with a chalky substance—usually a mixture of calcium and magnesium. It is relatively easy to remove, but if you let even days pass between cleanings, your pristine home won’t look so pristine anymore. Hard water treatment can keep your home looking cleaner for longer. Dull Laundry Remember those laundry detergent commercials you watched on TV as a kid? Remember how bright and vibrant the clothes were after they were washed? Many people wonder why their clothing doesn’t … Continue reading Hard Water Treatment: 5 Reasons to Install a Water Softening System