How Does Hard Water Impact Home Appliances?

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The different appliances and plumbing systems we have are crucial because they improve the quality of living at home. However, the type of water that a home has may have negative impacts that can be a nuisance to fix. The last thing you need is to regularly repair and replace your appliances, fixtures, and pipes because of the water quality. The water you get can be hard or soft, but most homes have hard water that ruins every appliance you have over time. Read on to learn more about hard water and the negative impacts it has on your quality of life at home.

Why Is Hard Water Bad?

Hard water may not be a problem for humans, but it has bad effects on every house appliance. When you understand the differences between both types of waters, you will understand that soft water is much more beneficial to have at home. You can compare the advantages and disadvantages of each type, but the main concern is that hard water will always ruin the integrity of the appliances you have installed. 

Whether you live in a house or an apartment, you will spend a lot of money on repairs and replacements. Hard water has minerals that aren’t harmful to humans, but it builds up residue that damages everything plastic, steel, or iron. The negative outcomes that come with hard water are not worth it, and you should think of alternatives that can prevent you from constantly replacing machines and devices that use water. 

Washing Machines

One of the most important appliances to have at home is the washing machine, allowing you to easily do your laundry and have clean clothes ready without taking them to the dry cleaners. However, hard water will start building up mineral residue that sticks to every mechanism, whether it’s the pump, lint screen, filter, or washing tube. The accumulated buildup will damage your washing machine and break it down completely. Advice from several water specialists and reviewers suggest looking into some great options for water softeners that can prevent your appliances from breaking down. This means that you can save money on repairing and replacing your washing machine by having a soft water system instead of doing your laundry. This machine is the first to get damaged because it’s one of the most used appliances you have at home.

Dishwashers

Another appliance that is constantly used at home is the dishwasher, helping you save time and effort when it comes to washing the dishes.  Any good dishwasher should last for at least 9 to 10 years, but it may last longer depending on the brand quality and the water used. Hard water will tremendously decrease that lifespan because scale build-ups, calcium, or magnesium deposits ruin a dishwasher’s mechanisms. You will see a decrease in performance and efficiency when it comes to cleaning dirty dishes, leading to longer washing cycles that hinder the device’s integrity significantly. The mineral and scale build-ups will ruin your plates, too, because it will stick and make it harder to clean over time.

Water Heaters

You will notice that your water heater is losing its ability to function properly because of hard water. Water heaters are designed to regulate water temperatures in bathrooms and kitchens, but efficiency levels will decrease tremendously because of the formation of sediments and mineral deposits. These harmful particles will get lodged inside the water heater and damage its integrity. These adverse outcomes will increase heating costs because the water heater will need more energy to function and regulate temperatures. Eventually, your heater will stop controlling water temperatures, costing you money every time you repair or replace it.

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Faucets and Sinks

The faucets and sinks you have at home will rust quicker because of hard water. The excess mineral buildup and sediments will constrict water flow, damaging the faucet and sink over time. The corrosion and white residue will hinder the faucet and sink from functioning, causing leaks, clogs, and rusted particles contaminating the water.

Changing your water system by investing in a water softener is the most optimal solution to your problems with appliances and plumbing. The lifespan of major appliances and pipes has decreased tremendously because of hard water, making it a hassle for you to live normally in the comfort of your home. You will spend a fortune if you don’t fix the hard water problem and change pipes and appliances more frequently than you should. Consider saving time, effort, and money by changing the water system and getting the right type of water that isn’t harmful to your appliances. 

 

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