Your appliances work hard in your home and installing a water softener can be one way to increase their lifespan. Did you know 85% of the US has hard water? It could be helpful to invest in a test kit to check if your home, too, receives hard water. If you do, read on to find out how this affects your appliances and pipes.
How hard water ruins your appliances
Hard water has concentrated levels of magnesium, calcium and other minerals that can lead to scale or mineral build-up in your pipes and appliances. This scale build-up clogs pipes and significantly impacts the smooth running of your appliances. Aqua Soft Water Systems highlights some common ways in which hard water affects home appliances:
Washing machines
A washing machine is one of the most commonly affected appliances as each of its components, such as the washing tub, pump mechanism and lint screen, accumulate scale build-up. Over time, this results in the complete breakdown of the appliance, with a need to either replace or repair, both costing big bucks in the long run.
Hard water also affects the cleaning action of soaps and detergents as it produces little to no lather. This results in the overuse of these cleaning supplies to counteract the hard water.
Dishwashers
Another appliance that is affected by hard water is the dishwasher as its parts are susceptible to scale build-up. Apart from the appliance, the glassware within can be damaged and scratched due to the minerals found in the hard water. Thus, you end up with dull, damaged glasses at your dinner table.
Water heating
The minerals and sediments in the hard water can get clogged in the water heater and pipes, reducing their efficiency greatly. So, if you notice your water heater is not working as it was, the cause can be hard water.
Hard water and high-efficiency appliances
Most people today are looking to invest in high-efficiency appliances that cut down on energy consumption and save money in the long run. However, exposing these appliances to hard water reduces their efficiency significantly, which means you will not save the energy you thought you would.
How does a water softener lengthen the life of pipes and appliances in your home
Through the process of ion exchange, water softening involves the absorption of the minerals in hard water with the help of tiny resin beads. The hard minerals are then replaced with sodium and potassium ions. Through this process, the water is softened i.e., hard minerals are removed before it is circulated through your pipes and appliances, increasing their efficiency substantially. According to research, water heaters that use soft water can maintain their factory rating for about 15 years. However, this is cut short by 50% in the case of hard water.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the groundwater in Palm Beach and Broward contains anywhere between 121 and 180 mg of hard minerals per liter. This, when dissolved in water, creates the issue of hard water.
For more information on water softeners and how you can install them to protect your pipes and appliances, contact Aqua Soft Water Systems.
