Adelaide, a beautiful place in South Australia, is afflicted by Hard water. What to do and how to fix it? Everything is explained here!
What is Hard Water?
Hard water looks like normal water we drink and use. It is just that, it contains high amounts of minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc. and this makes normal water hard. Although hard water is drinkable and there is no harm to consume such water, deposition of minerals clogs pipes and plumbing fittings. This results in damaging appliances, plumbing problems, and also reduces the quality of soap and detergents.
Why Does Adelaide Have a Hard Water Problem?
The roots of hard water in Adelaide are growing from its geology and water sources. Water supply in households of Adelaide is fulfilled from the Murray river and other local reservoirs. The water in the lands of Adelaide is naturally mixed with high levels of minerals, calcium and magnesium into it. When this water flows from the river through rocks and soil which is rich in minerals, it makes the water even harder.
These minerals are the real culprit which turns the water hard and leads to deposit of limescale in pipes, pipe corrosion, and plumbing fixtures. Consequently, people in Adelaide are bothered due to reduced lifespan of appliances and increase in efficiency of energy bills plus maintenance cost. Thankfully, this problem can be mitigated using water softeners and descalers.
Signs Your Home Has Hard Water
If you often observe limescale build up, blocked pipes, leaking taps, pipe corrosion, and such plumbing problems, mind it! – These are the signs that tell you that your home water supply has hard water. Read details –
● A very clear sign of hard water is those pesky white stains, which appear because of mineral deposits building up on the taps and on your sinks.
● Hard water makes it difficult to create a rich lather out of soap.
● Due to the presence of hard water, frequent pipe clogs and scale buildup is quite common. This leads to slower water flow but skyrockets water bills.
● Since minerals slowly keep on depositing inside your pipes, it restricts the flow of water and lowers the water pressure. Insufficient water flow consumes more time in doing routine cleaning and washing chores like washing dishes, taking showers etc. it seems very irritating also.
● Hard water doesn’t only affect plumbing fixtures and fittings, but also damages your favorite clothes. As hard water contains highly dissolved minerals, your clothes appear dull and dingy.
● Not just that, hard water causes stripped skin, skin dryness and irritation, and damages your hair also due to the presence of excessive minerals.
● Hard water causes mineral build-up and corrosion, which shortens the lifespan of appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, etc.
How Hard Water Damages Your Plumbing
Hard Water is a Silent Saboteur! Read how it slowly kills your plumbing systems.
Clogs Pipes
As hard water results in limescale build up in pipes it restricts the water flow and increases the water bills. Due to the clogging of pipes water pressure also reduces. Such a situation is a sign to call an Adelaide plumber.
Spoil Hot Water Systems
Having a hot water system is very common in every household in Australia. Hard water reduces the efficiency of a hot water system, leading to higher power bills and shortened lifespan.
Reduce Longevity of Appliances
You want your appliances blessed with a long life but hard water plans are different. Pipe corrosion and mineral build up reduces the lifespan and increases the maintenance cost of your appliances like washing machines and dishwashers.
Leaky Faucets
Over time, the most frequent plumbing issues that every Adelaide home deals with are corroding pipes and leaking faucets. As a result, appliances and plumbing fixtures deteriorate more quickly. One such problem is leaking taps.
Tap Water Issues
Distasteful smells and poor water taste brought on by hard water are a couple of the invisible plumbing issues. As a result, the water is unfit for drinking and other uses, like dishwashing and laundry.
How to Fix Hard Water Problems
Every problem has a solution, and so does the hard water. Check out the list of possible solutions that you can try to reduce the effect of hard water.
Installing a Water Softener
A water softener is a device used to remove excess minerals from water, usually calcium and magnesium. Calcium and magnesium ions in the water are replaced by sodium or potassium ions through an ion exchange mechanism used by the water softening system. They also have resin beds that allow soft water to pass through the pipes by trapping calcium and magnesium ions.
Benefits of Water Softeners:
● Water softener removes minerals that damage skin and hair.
● It doesn’t allow the deposition of minerals on clothes and dishes.
● Increase the lifespan of appliances
● Improved water taste and odour
Vinegar or Descaling Agents for Minor Buildup
If scaling is minor, use vinegar which can be an effective solution for minor mineral build up. Simply pour some vinegar in affected pipes or fittings and let it rest for some time. After some time, it dissolves mineral build up. There are many descaling products also available in the market to remove scale buildup.
Flushing Your Hot Water System
Flush your hot water system regularly to remove sediments and mineral deposits. This improves efficiency and minimises damage. Flushing the hot water system needs to be done with care. You may consult the system’s manual to guide yourself well. Usually, it is recommended to flush the hot water system every 6 to 12 months.
Regular Pipe Maintenance
Incurring maintenance cost is better than reinvesting all over again. You may hire Adelaide plumber services for the maintenance of plumbing fittings and fixtures. Professional plumber can easily identify and address the issues occuring due to hard water.
Cost of Ignoring Hard Water Issues
Ignoring hard water issues can be expensive for you. If hard water issues would not be addressed promptly, it may add additional cost to your budget as explained here.
Increased Plumbing Repairs
Minerals contained in hard water causes deposition of minerals in pipes, this clogs pipes, causes leakages, and give rise to other plumbing problems. If these problems rest unaddressed, it leads to costly repairs in the long run. Usually replacement of pipe (depending on the size of the pipe) costs ₹10,000 to ₹50,000. Similarly, repair cost for leakages ranges between 5000₹ to 20000₹.
Higher Energy Consumption Costs
The presence of hard water reduces the efficiency of water heaters and other appliances. Lower efficiency causes high consumption of power and increases high energy bills. It may add up to ₹500 – ₹2,000 per month to your power bills.
More Frequent Appliance Replacements
Hard water affects appliances. It causes corrosion and mineral buildup, which gradually reduces the lifespan of appliances. And thus requires more frequent replacements. If compared with the use of soft water, the Longevity of the same appliances is extended. The cost of replacement includes replacement of the water heater, which ranges between ₹10,000 – ₹50,000, while the cost of replacement of the Dishwasher ranges between ₹20,000 – ₹50,000. The cost of replacement of washing machine ranges between ₹15,000 – ₹30,000
Conclusion
Conclusively, it is quite expensive to consume hard water in Adelaide because it not only damages the plumbing system but also leads to pipe corrosion, blockage, limescale build-up, and leaking of taps. Proactive measures are the key to escape from these issues. You may mitigate the problem of hard water using a water softener technique, which not only filters minerals out of hard water but also resolves your hot water issues and saves the cost of frequent replacement of appliances. Eventually, all you should need is a healthier environment and water usage for the residents of Adelaide
FAQs
How do I Know if My Water is Hard?
● A very clear sign of hard water is those pesky white stains, which appear because of mineral deposits building up on the taps and on your sinks.
● Soap lather doesn’t form in hard water.
● Frequent pipe clogs and scale buildup are quite common. This leads to a slower down water flow but skyrocketed water bills.
● Minerals depositing inside your pipes restrict the flow of water and lower the water pressure.
● Insufficient water flow consumes more time in doing routine cleaning and washing chores like washing dishes, taking showers, etc. it seems very irritating also.
● Hard water affects plumbing fixtures and fittings.
● Not just that, hard water causes stripped skin, skin dryness and irritation, and damages your hair also due to the presence of excessive minerals.
● Hard water causes mineral build-up and corrosion, which shortens the lifespan of appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, etc.
Can Hard Water Damage My Pipes Permanently?
Yes, hard water can damage your pipes permanently. Hard water needs treatment as early as you find the signs of hard water presence in your plumbing system. Scaling, corrosion, reduce water flow, discoloration, banging noise, etc if left unchecked, it may permanently damage water pipes.
What’s The Best Way to Remove Limescale Buildup?
Some of the best ways to remove limescale buildup are –
● Use Vinegar and Water Solution
● Use Baking Soda and Water Paste
● Use Descaling Solution
● Try using Lemon Juice and Salt
● Use a Pressure Washer for exterior surfaces
How Much Does a Water Softener Cost?
A water softener system, on average costs around ₹5000 to ₹10000 depending on different types and quality.
Does Adelaide’s Water Hardness Vary by Suburb?
Yes, Adelaide’s water hardness varies by suburb. It depends on the source and areas, such as the north and west, which have harder water sources.
Will Hard Water Affect My Hot Water System?
Yes, the following are the ways hard water can affect your hot water system:
● Reduced Efficiency
● Scale Buildup
● Corrosion of pipes
● Increased Maintenance
● Shortened Lifespan of appliances
● Reduced Water Flow
Can a Plumber Test My Water Hardness?
Yes, a plumber can test your water hardness. Every Adelaide plumber has a water testing kit to test the hardness of water. Alternatively, it is also possible to send a water sample to the laboratory for analysis.