The water that runs into your house might look clear, but it is filled with dissolved minerals that can leave deposits on the shower glass, plumbing fixtures, and inside of pipes. Hard water contains high concentrations of these minerals, and it increases the risk of deposits building up and causing problems. Using these plumbing tips can help you to prevent mineral buildup so that you experience fewer issues with your home’s system.
Watch for the Signs of Hard Water
You can get your home’s water tested to find out the mineral levels. You can also keep an eye out for common issues that occur with hard water. For instance, the shower heads might develop clogs faster than normal, or you might find buildup on the sinks or shower glass. If you notice that buildup is occurring on the outside of your plumbing fixtures, then you can safely assume that it could be accumulating in the pipes.
Install Water Softening Equipment
Water softening equipment uses salt to help clear the minerals from the water. Services such as Bud’s Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electric often recommend installing water softening equipment to prevent serious issues such as corrosion and clogs that can occur further down the line in your plumbing system. Using a water softener also helps you to streamline your cleaning routine, since you won’t be forced to scrub off so much buildup.
Use Vinegar or Special Solutions to Clear the Pipes
You can use vinegar or other pipe-clearing solutions to remove minor amounts of buildup from pipes and drains. However, these typically can only do the work on a surface level, which means you’ll need help to clear the buildup that goes further down the line. Additionally, you’ll want to check with your plumber before pouring anything down the drain that isn’t water. Some pipe-clearing chemicals can damage pipes and lead to bigger problems.
Consider Your Options for Pipe Replacement
At some point, most buildings have pipes that need to be replaced. While PVC and copper pipes are better than steel ones when it comes to mineral buildup, modern pipes made from plastic materials are more resistant to developing hard water scale. Whether you have a broken pipe or one that is too filled with debris to allow the water to flow freely, discussing your options could help you avoid the problem in the future.
Dealing with mineral deposits in your plumbing system isn’t something that you might think about until it starts to become noticeable. By then, you could have serious clogs in the plumbing pipes that require replacement or deep cleaning. Being proactive about preventing mineral buildup helps you to keep your plumbing system reliable and flowing freely.
