Why Hard Water is a Problem for Sacramento Homeowners

Do you ever open your dishwasher and see glassware covered with white spots or a cloudy residue? Have you had the misfortune of parking too close to some rogue sprinklers only to see your car covered with cloudy, white dots? These annoyances are caused by hard water. While many homeowners all over California deal with hard water, it’s something we see a lot in the Central Valley, especially Sacramento. If you’re asking yourself what causes hard water; the answer is easy—magnesium and calcium. Though magnesium and calcium are part of a healthy and balanced diet, high levels of these minerals in your tap water can cause some plumbing issues. That’s why we’re sharing why hard water is a problem for Sacramento homeowners.

What Causes Hard Water?

Simply put, hard water is caused by the outdoor environment. When rainwater is released, the water is pure and completely free of added chemicals and minerals. As that rainwater hits the ground and travels through different surface areas and aquifers, it absorbs trace amounts of calcium and magnesium. The more minerals the water absorbs, the harder it will be. Don’t be discouraged by this though, as we mentioned above, trace amounts of calcium and magnesium are healthy. Calcium can help with bone health and density while magnesium can regulate blood pressure; so, we want these in our water supply, we just don’t want too much of them.

How Hard Water Hurts Your Plumbing

Though hard water helps your body; it regrettably hurts your home plumbing. Don’t be too concerned, the problems are relatively mild. One of the biggest issues you’ll face is with soap. Hard water eventually leads to homeowners needing to use more soap in everyday tasks—think dishwashing, showering, or laundry. This use of extra soap can cause a buildup in your plumbing system which can reduce water flow, add extra stress on your pipes or major appliances, and contribute to existing clogs. If you think one or more of your drains is backed up with soap scum, call us to schedule a drain clearing appointment.

Hard Water Can Cause Issues with Your Water Heater

One of your hardest working appliances is the one affected the most by hard water—your water heater. As water flows into the water heater, calcium, magnesium, and other minerals are left in the tank. Over time, these minerals can coat the inside of your water heater’s tank, essentially forcing the appliance to work harder and less efficiently. Additionally, minerals from hard water can corrode the inside of your water heater which could cause the whole appliance to fail before the end of its lifespan. If you think your water heater needs some TLC, we’re here, call us and schedule an appointment.

What Are My Options

If hard water is wreaking havoc on your home’s plumbing system, don’t hesitate to reach out to Bell Brothers. Our water filtration specialists are here and ready to help find a customized solution for your individual needs. When you call a Bell Brothers plumber, the first thing they’ll do is test your water. By testing the water, they can determine how hard your water isand find the best solution. After the initial testing, you have a few options. Our favorite is a whole house water filter. This type of filter allows all the water that comes into your home to be treated. From the water in your shower to your laundry, everything will have clean, treated water. Also, a whole house water filter will still leave trace amounts of magnesium and calcium. These trace amounts will keep water tasting fresh, while protecting your pipes and water heater.

Call Bell Brothers for Sacramento Hard Water Solutions

Are you interested in a water filtration solution? Call the experts at Bell Brothers! We’re more than an HVAC company. Our expertly trained technicians can service all your plumbing, HVAC, and window needs. We offer free in-home estimates for replacement, home delivery and installation, and yearly maintenance. Ready to schedule an appointment? Call (916) 226-9677 and one of our friendly call center representatives is ready to help you.