If you live in Escondido, you know we have extremely hard water, which means it is packed with calcium and magnesium. While it’s completely safe to drink, it slowly wreaks havoc on your home’s plumbing. From crusty faucets to failing water heaters, here’s how hard water impacts your pipes and what you can do.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water is simply water that has picked up a lot of dissolved minerals. Escondido's water is considered 'very hard,' often measuring between 14-15 grains per gallon (check the EMWD Water Quality Data). Over time, these minerals stick to everything the water touches inside your home.
Scale Buildup in Pipes
As hard water flows through your home, it leaves behind a hard, chalky mineral deposit inside your pipes called scale. In older homes with galvanized pipes, this scale buildup can eventually choke off your water flow completely, leaving you with terrible water pressure.
Reduced Water Heater Efficiency and Lifespan
Hard water destroys water heaters. The minerals settle to the bottom of the tank as thick sediment, which covers the heating elements. Your heater has to work twice as hard to heat the water, costing you more in energy bills and drastically shortening the life of the tank.
Fixture and Faucet Damage
That white, crusty buildup you see around your faucets and showerheads is hard water scale. It doesn't just look bad; it eats away at the rubber seals and clogs the aerators, causing leaks and weak water flow. Eventually, you might have to replace the fixtures entirely.
What to Expect When We Address Hard Water
If you're tired of dealing with hard water, we can help! We always offer upfront pricing before we start work. We’ll test your water on-site, recommend the best water softening or filtration system for your home, and install it flawlessly so you can enjoy soft, clean water.
Impact on Appliances
Your dishwasher and washing machine suffer from hard water, too. The mineral buildup damages their internal parts, makes your clothes look dingy, and leaves spots on your dishes. Many Escondido homeowners find they have to replace their appliances years earlier than expected because of hard water.
What You Can Do
The best defense is installing a water softener. It removes the harsh minerals before they ever reach your pipes. You should also flush your water heater annually to clear out sediment. If you're struggling with scale buildup, ask our team how we can protect your Escondido home.