Hard water may be damaging your water-using appliances in ways that you don’t even realize. Here are a few ways hard water effects your water heater, dishwasher, refrigerator, and maybe even your favorite china.

Appliance damage
Hard water causes scale to build up in your appliances. Scale buildup can cause appliances to work less efficiently and can even reduce their life by 30 – 50 percent. And when scale builds up in your water heater, you could be spending an additional 29% on your water heating energy bill.

Crusty, hard-to-clean, scale buildup and stains
Hard water causes white, crusty scale to build up on faucets and showerheads, which decreases water flow over time.

Clogged pipes
Plumbing hard water throughout the home leads to scale buildup, lower water pressure, and clogged pipes. And if left untreated, those clogs could eventually lead to blocked pipes, or even worse – a burst pipe.

The last thing you need on Christmas is an appliance to break down, scale buildup around your faucets, or low water pressure. By installing a water softener you can save your expensive appliances and eliminate the problems from hard water and scale listed above. Making the choice to install a water softener may save your holiday dinner. You can see how hard the water is where you live by looking at the map on our website.

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Scale, Clogs and Higher Costs

The low water pressure is just one sign that hard water is at work. White scale may appear on your faucets and in your shower, and that same build-up is clogging your pipes and building up in your water heater. And with scale comes higher costs; water-using appliances become less efficient, using more water. For example, hard water uses up to 29 percent more energy to heat your water. And the lifespan of those appliances decreases by up to 50 percent. That means you have to replace those appliances more often.

Battling Water Woes Saves Money

An easy solution to banish hard water comes in the form of a water softener, which removes hard water minerals from your water before it flows to your pipes and fixtures, reducing scale buildup.
And it costs you less in the long run. A home that is affected by hard water spends an estimated $1,280 in laundry detergents, bath and kitchen soaps, lotions and household cleaners. But with a water softener, those annual costs plummet to an estimated $730. That’s a 40 percent savings.

Temporarily Tackling Hard Water

So that brings us back to the soap-in-the-eyes issue. The inside of your pipes may stay clogged, so the water pressure will remain an issue, but you can temporarily tackle the scale. Try a homemade cleaner comprised of 50-50 solution of distilled water and vinegar will spot treat scale buildup from hard water problems. Put baking soda and distilled water together for a slightly more powerful scrub. Lemon juice can also help temporarily clear those hard water deposits.

Permanent Burning Eyes Fix

For a more permanent solution to those burning eyes, try a Whirlpool water softener. With an easy step-by-step tool, you can determine the best water softening solution for your in-home water needs.

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It’s what you don’t see that hurts the home

A home is most likely one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make, so it’s no surprise you want to keep everything in it running smoothly. But if you’re like 85% of homeowners in the U.S, there’s a silent culprit impacting every area of your abode: hard water. While some signs of hard water are obvious, it’s what you can’t see that’s even more harmful.

Clogged, dirty pipes

The harder your water is, the more minerals are present that can leech onto the insides of your pipes throughout your home. While hard water build-up can occur in all pipes, it is more common in pipes that carry hot water. Eventually, the increased presence of scale begins to constrict the opening in your pipes, reducing the flow and water pressure at fixtures like your showerhead and faucets. In extreme cases, the scale can completely block your pipes and cause them to burst due to pressure buildup. Because you can’t look inside your pipes very easily, this silent problem often goes untreated for many years and only makes itself known when a major (and costly) issue arises.

Inefficient, overworked appliances

Hard water also contributes to inefficient operation of your major water-using appliances, including the water heater, dishwasher and refrigerator. The pipes and valves within these appliances can also become clogged with scale, reducing water flow or causing leaks, resulting in potentially expensive part replacements. This can amount to a 30% to 50% decrease in the lifespan of major appliances due to the extreme wear and tear, as well as increased maintenance needs. Additionally, scale buildup can increase energy bills by up to 29% by reducing the efficiency of your water heater and other appliances, making them work twice as hard to do their jobs.

The water softener solve

During the water softening process, tiny resin beads act as a sponge, absorbing the hardness minerals from your water. This simple process keeps your water from transporting these minerals throughout your house, keeping pipes and appliances clean. Every house has its own specific needs, so the best place to start is by finding the best softening solution for your home. The right water softener will ensure your pipes, appliances and home stay in top working order.

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