Serving Round Lake & 
Hard water is a common issue in many households in Round Lake, IL and throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. While it might not seem like a big deal at first, the long-term effects on your plumbing can be serious and expensive. Hard water is packed with minerals like calcium and magnesium. While that may not harm your health, it can cause problems for your pipes, appliances, and fixtures.
Water naturally picks up minerals as it moves through underground rock formations, such as limestone and chalk. The more minerals it collects, the “harder” the water becomes. The hardness level is measured in grains per gallon (GPG) or parts per million (PPM). Anything over 7 GPG is considered hard water. If your water is at that level, it can affect your home’s plumbing in many ways.
Clogged Pipes and Weak Water Pressure
If your once-powerful shower has become just a drizzle, that could be an issue with weak pressure. Many times, hard water is slowly choking your pipes. These mineral deposits collect inside the plumbing and can gradually narrow them, which restricts water flow. Often, that leads to weak pressure in your sinks, showers, and even appliances like your washing machine.
Older homes with steel or copper pipes are at risk. Unlike modern plastic pipes, metal pipes tend to collect more buildup. If your home is a few decades old, you could already have serious scaling inside your plumbing.
Difficulties Getting Hot Water
Your water heater is one of the hardest working appliances in your home, and hard water makes its job tougher. When hard water is heated, its minerals separate and settle at the bottom of your water heater tank. In turn, that creates a thick layer of sediment.
This can cause problems in several ways. For example, you might see higher energy bills. Your water heater often has to work harder to heat through the buildup. That means more energy to start the process.
Additionally, hard water can mean less hot water. Since the sediment occupies your tank, you might run out of hot water faster. Along with that, the tank could have a shorter lifespan. The extra strain on the heating element can lead to breakdowns and premature failure.
Your tankless water heater is not immune. Minerals can clog the heat exchanger. As a result, that reduces efficiency and leads to expensive repairs or replacements.
Faucet and Showerhead Buildup
If you have ever had to scrub white crust off your faucets or showerheads, that is visible hard water damage. Those mineral deposits clog up the tiny holes in your showerhead. As a result, that causes weak or uneven water flow. Sometimes, this can get so bad that your fixtures stop working.
Even worse, hard water can lead to corrosion. That can shorten the lifespan of your faucets and plumbing fixtures.
Appliance Issues
Your dishwasher and washing machine might seem fine on the outside, but when you have hard water, they could be taking a beating on the inside. Mineral deposits can build up on internal components like heating elements, pumps, and hoses. Over time, these appliances become less efficient, forcing them to work harder.
Also, dishes come out looking cloudy and streaked. You may even need to use more detergent to get things clean. These are all signs that hard water is causing problems in your plumbing system.
Stubborn Drain Clogs
One of hard water’s most frustrating side effects is its interaction with soap. Instead of forming a nice lather, hard water makes soap cling to surfaces. This creates a sticky, filmy residue known as soap scum. You can see it in your shower, on your sinks, and even on your skin and hair.
Soap scum does more than make your bathroom look dirty. It also builds up inside your drains, trapping hair and debris. You could have problems with stubborn clogs. If you reach for the drain cleaner more often than usual, hard water could be the culprit.
Toilet Issues
Toilets are another place where hard water leaves its mark. Mineral deposits from hard water can cause you to struggle to scrub away the bowl’s stubborn brown or white stains.
These stains are just the beginning. Hard water also clogs the tiny rim jets under the toilet bowl. As a result, your flush becomes weaker over time. Often, the buildup can damage internal components like the fill valve and flapper. With that problem, you might experience constant running water and higher water bills.
More Plumbing Problems
Clogged pipes, weak water pressure, worn-out appliances, and failing fixtures all add to higher maintenance and repair costs. Homeowners dealing with hard water often find themselves spending more on:
- Frequent drain cleaning
- Replacing faucets and showerheads
- Fixing or replacing dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters
- Buying extra soap and detergent to get things clean
In extreme cases, if limescale buildup in the pipes gets too severe, you might even have to replace sections of your plumbing. This is an expensive and time-consuming project.
How to Stop Hard Water Damage
Hard water damage is not inevitable. You can protect your plumbing and appliances from costly wear and tear with the right preventative measures.
Install a Water Softener
A whole-house water softener is the most effective solution for hard water. It removes calcium and magnesium from your water supply. This can prevent limescale buildup and extend the life of your plumbing and appliances.
Water softeners use an ion exchange process to swap out hard minerals for sodium or potassium. While there is an upfront cost, the long-term savings make it a worthwhile investment.
Try a Water Conditioner
If a traditional water softener is not an option, a water conditioner can help. These systems remove and alter minerals to prevent them from sticking to surfaces, reducing scaling.
Descale Regularly
Even if you have a water softener, routine maintenance helps keep things in check. You might want to flush your water heater every six months to remove sediment.
Along with that, soak showerheads and faucets in vinegar to break down limescale. Some descaling agents can be used in dishwashers and coffee makers to prevent buildup. You may also want to check pipes and drains for early signs of clogs.
A Professional Plumber Can Assist
If you’re experiencing weak water pressure, clogged pipes, or annoying mineral spots on your dishes, it might be time to call a plumber. Hard water problems can sneak up on you, and trying to fix them on your own often makes things worse. A plumber can take a look at your pipes, recommend the right solution and help you avoid costly repairs down the road.
If you have hard water in Round Lake, IL, turn to the skilled and professional plumbers at Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Cooling. Since 1988, we have delivered expert plumbing solutions, from repairs and installations to ongoing maintenance. Our mission has always been to exceed expectations on every job and provide the highest standards of service. Contact us today to make a water treatment appointment for your home.
