Water Woes: Can Hard Water Damage Pipes?

Did you know that the chemical composition of your water can have a significant impact on your household expenses? While you don't necessarily have to know your calcium carbonate from your dihydrogen monoxide, it is helpful to know whether the water in your area is hard or soft. EducatingIn fact, educating yourself about hard water and hard water buildup in pipes can help you save money and live more comfortably.

What is hard water buildup?

Very simply put, hard water is water that contains a high concentration of certain minerals, namely calcium and magnesium. While hard water is safe for human consumption, it can leave unsightly, hard-to-clean spots on your fixtures. Even worse, over time hard water can leave deposits that can damage your pipes. This accumulation of minerals is known as hard water buildup, and it can clog pipes, reduce water flow, and impair the efficiency of appliances like dishwashers and water heaters.

How does hard water damage my pipes?

Mineral deposits from hard water, also known as scale deposits, are often responsible for clogging pipes. When hard water is heated, a certain amount of water evaporates, causing the minerals suspended in it to precipitate. This solidified scale (or limescale) can then accumulate inside your pipes, water heater, washing machine and dishwasher. 

These accumulations can cause major troubles all throughout your plumbing system, from low water pressure to the failure of certain appliances. What’s more, some types of plumbing are more susceptible to hard water clogging than others. While copper, PVC and PEX pipes are more resistant to hard water buildup and corrosion, they can still get clogged or completely blocked by scale deposits.

What about appliances?

Hard water buildup can significantly impact the performance and longevity of various household appliances. Here’s how:

• Reduced Efficiency and Lifespan: The accumulation of scale from hard water can cause dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters to work less efficiently, and significantly decreases their overall lifespan.
• Frequent Breakdowns: Hard water buildup can wear down components like pipes and valves, leading to more frequent malfunctions (including leaks!) and costly repairs.
• Spots on Dishes: Hard water can leave unsightly spots and residue on your dishes, glasses, and utensils, making them look less clean even after a wash.
• Less Effective Detergents: The presence of mineral deposits can interfere with the effectiveness of detergents, requiring more soap to achieve the same level of cleanliness.
• Increased Energy Consumption: Appliances affected by hard water buildup in pipes often require more energy to operate, which can lead to higher utility bills.

How do I know if I have hard water?

While water mostly just looks like… water… to the naked eye, there are a few telltale signs that your home’s supply is harder than normal. 

Pay attention to your faucets and fixtures. Mineral deposits, which might look like a white crust, on your faucets and fixtures are a surefire sign of hard water buildup. Your skin is dry and your hair is dull after showering. Hard water can have a lot of negative effects on the skin, so if you notice acne, flaky and itchy skin, or breakouts, the hard water in your home might be disrupting your skin barrier. This might also be the case if you notice that your hair is dull, flat, or frizzier than usualYou notice soap scum. If you notice a residue left behind after you wash your hands or shower, you may be witnessing the effects of hard water and soap meeting, also known as soap scum. The calcium and magnesium in hard water react with the sodium or potassium in cleaners to create a stubborn, filmy substance. Another way to take advantage of this chemical reaction is through a water bottle test. If you fill a water bottle with water, add some soap, shake it around, and it turns cloudy and milky without lathering, your water is most likely hard.Your water tastes bad. Hard water may have a chalky, salty, mineral-y or chemical taste that makes it unpleasant to drink.

How do I deal with hard water buildup in my pipes?

When it comes to preventing hard water damage, you have two main options: installing a water softener or a reverse osmosis water treatment system. 

Water softeners

A water softener is a tank situated between your water source (e.g., your municipal water supply's main line) and the internal plumbing that services your home. Inside this tank is an inorganic softening medium— a resin or crystalline substance— suspended in a saltwater solution. As water filters through the softener, the hard minerals in it literally swap places (on the molecular level) with the sodium in the medium itself via a process known as ion exchange. The result is that these minerals are effectively removed from the water before it reaches your appliances and faucets. 

Reverse osmosis

In the reverse osmosis process, impurities are stripped from your water through a semipermeable membrane. This microscopic filter catches all manner of substances and not just "hard" minerals. In fact, the pitcher in your refrigerator may very well use this same technology to supply your family with clean, refreshing drinking water. Reverse osmosis systems are typically more expensive than water softeners. 

How do I know which hard water solution is right for me?

When deciding between a water softener or reverse osmosis system, you will need to consider a number of factors:

• The precise hardness of your water, usually measured in grains per gallon or parts per million (ppm). You can learn more about the degrees of water hardness by consulting this chart developed by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (S-339) and the Water Quality Association (WQA).
• The size of your household and its average monthly water use. The more hot water you use, the more likely hard water will be an issue.
• Which appliances you use that are most likely to suffer hard water damage.

Before purchasing a solution, first try reducing water waste around your home. Also, consider switching to using consumables— soaps, shampoos, detergents and the like— formulated for hard water. If you know you have a particular problem area that needs addressing, such as your kitchen, investigate whether or not a countertop or under-sink water filtration system will suit your needs.

Do my pipes need to be replaced?

If you’re dealing with buildup and wondering how long it takes hard water to damage pipes, the good news is that it takes years for mineralization buildup to irreparably damage your plumbing. The bad news is, if your plumbing system is already old and you know you have hard water, it’s a good bet that you’ve accumulated a lot of buildup already. Under normal circumstances, your household’s plumbing should last for 50 years, but frequent clogs or corrosion caused by hard water buildup can shorten this lifespan significantly.

If you’re noticing persistent issues with water flow, leaks, or reduced pressure, it might be time to bring in a Pro to assess the condition of your pipes. Regular inspections and maintenance can help catch problems early and potentially avoid the need for premature replacements.  

Pipe problems? Don’t worry, be warranty.

However you choose to keep your home hydrated, you'll also want to protect the investment you've made in your plumbing system and appliances.That’s where an American Home Shield® home warranty comes in. 

With plans that cover the parts and components of nine laundry and kitchen appliances, a home warranty ensures that breakdowns won’t disrupt your flow. Plus, with systems coverage that includes your interior plumbing, we’ll find the right Pro for your repair and make it a lot easier and more affordable to help keep things up and running. Rather than panicking when you discover a covered problem you can simply place a service request with American Home Shield. 

AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.