Bradenton’s hard water is common throughout the entire region and is caused by Florida’s groundwater supply. This affects your lifespan, plus it leads to other issues such as soap scum and dry, itchy skin.
Fortunately, our professional team has the solution: a water softener! Read on to learn more about hard water, including how mineral buildup happens on your faucets.
Quick Takeaways
- Hard water is caused by limestone deposits
- Your faucet is likely to have a shortened lifespan due to hard water
- Hard water can reduce water flow and pressure
- Installing a water softener system is the best way to deal with hard water
What Hard Water Is and How It Forms
Limestone deposits in the groundwater supply turn into a high concentration of dissolved minerals, including magnesium and calcium. The more dissolved minerals water has, the harder it will become.
Southern Florida has hard water because of its large deposits of limestone. Sadly, this means your faucets aren’t as likely to reach their expected lifespan.
How Hard Water Impacts Faucets Over Time
Limescale buildup clogs aerators and restricts water flow. Furthermore, mineral deposits can leave behind residue and unsightly stains on the faucet’s surface. Below, we’ll examine each of these factors more closely.
Mineral Buildup and Internal Corrosion
Your faucet and pipes have metal parts inside of them. When the minerals in hard water react with metal, it causes the metal to wear out and corrode. This process moves much more quickly with hard water than with soft water.
Reduced Water Flow and Pressure
Your supply lines, faucet aerator and pipes are susceptible to mineral buildup. Over time, this will reduce your water pressure and water flow.
Our punctual plumbers can fix this issue. However, unless you also take steps to soften your water, this issue will return again and again. Therefore, we recommend installing a water softener to help counteract the issues caused by hard water.
Damage to Faucet Finishes and Seals
Does the surface of your faucet have white, chalky residue? This is caused by visible limescale damage and will dull your faucet’s finish. Furthermore, it can reduce your faucet’s aesthetic appeal.
At the same time, limescale can cause damage to the faucet’s seals. Seal degradation can cause internal seals to develop quicker wear and tear. Other issues you may experience include leaking and internal clogging.
Shortened Lifespan of Moving Parts
There are four primary ways that hard water can shorten the lifespan of your faucet:
- Scale buildup
- Corrosion
- Friction and sticking
- Increased strain and pressure
Scale buildup may narrow your pipes. As a result, small mechanisms inside your faucet can become blocked. For example, if you can’t get hot and cold water from both faucet handles, it’s most likely because the cartridge is blocked.
Corrosion, as mentioned above, can damage your faucet’s metal surfaces. Unless you take immediate action, corrosion will also cause leaks and rust.
The presence of scale buildup can make faucet parts hard to move. This naturally leads to more force being placed on your faucet. In return, your faucet’s internal components will develop extra wear and tear.
Finally, your faucet has to work harder when water flow is restricted. This places extra pressure on moving parts, which may lead to premature failure.
Signs Your Faucet Is Being Damaged by Hard Water
You already know you’re dealing with hard water because you live in the Bradenton area. It’s still a good idea to keep your eye on any of the following signs, though:
- Uneven water flow
- Sputtering water flow
- Reduced water pressure
- Chalky or white residue
- Leaking faucet
- Difficult-to-turn handles
- Spots on glassware or dishes
- Increased soap scum
- Appliance problems
It’s time to launch into action immediately once you’ve noticed one or more of the signs listed above. Keep in mind that delaying will further compromise your faucet and may even render it unusable.
How to Prevent Hard Water Damage to Faucets
Keeping your faucet safe from hard water damage isn’t easy, but it should be your goal. As you’ll see below, it can require a regular cleaning routine or a water softener system.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
It’s necessary to wipe down your faucet every single time you use it. Additionally, you’ll need to use a white vinegar solution to clean your faucet and dissolve mineral deposits.
Installing a Water Softener System
The idea of wiping your faucet down after each usage may seem easy, but in reality, it’s all too easy to forget. Fortunately, installing a water softener system will remove the minerals from your water. It’s no wonder that using a water softener is considered the best long-term solution.
Using Faucet Aerators and Filters
Installing a faucet aerator with a filter will enable you to trap debris and some minerals. It’s critical to clean your aerator every four months or so, though, or else it could become clogged.
Benefits of Addressing Hard Water Early
Addressing hard water early on can lead to significant savings. Furthermore, your water will taste better! Benefits of taking care of hard water before it becomes a major issue include:
- Protects appliances
- Increases efficiency
- Lowers energy bills
- Improves taste
- Improves hair and skin
FAQ
Do you have a question about hard water, your faucet or water softeners? Please check our FAQs below!
How do you prevent a salt bridge in a water softener?
Put simply, a salt bridge can cause your water softener to stop softening water. The good news, though, is that it’s easy to avoid salt bridges. Simply use high-quality salt, don’t overfill your tank and stir it regularly.
What is the pH of hard water?
Hard water is more alkaline, while soft water is slightly acidic. Hard water has a pH of 7 or higher, although some experts believe it’s closer to 9 pH. The EPA has stated that it’s best to drink water with a pH of 8.5 or less.
Where should your water softener drain to?
Approved drainage options include floor drains, standpipes and utility sinks. If you must drain it outside, it’s best to use a dry well.
Protect Your Faucets — Schedule a Hard Water Inspection in Bradenton Today
Don’t let hard water ruin your faucets or cut their lifespan short. Schedule expert faucet repair in Bradenton with our punctual plumbers.
We’ll fix the issue right the first time and keep your plumbing flowing smoothly.