After purchasing a new home, many homeowners don’t realize they have hard water or the constant and expensive harm it causes. According to the United States Geological Survey, over three quarters of U.S. homes have hard water. Hard water, water that has a high mineral count, is often caused by calcium, magnesium, iron and other metals dissolved in the water. The effects of hard water can go so far as to reduce the value of a home.
Effects of hard water entering a new home
Water entering a new home may have mineral deposits and contaminants coming directly from both the water supply source as well as aged pipelines used to transfer the water. Once past the homes water Point of Entry, the contaminants make their way into the interior pipelines, fixtures, and appliances. Pipelines with hard water eventually obtain mineral build-up hindering water flow to faucets and other water outlets.
Hard water also creates mineral buildup in water heaters. Calcium and magnesium form a rock-like scale when heated. This causes a strain on the water heater forcing it to exert extra energy to meet heat temperatures or eventually cause the unit to fail altogether.
A dishwasher ‘s cleaning solutions do not achieve full potential when mixed with hard water, which in turn harms dishware through permanent etching and cloudiness that cannot be reversed. Also, hard water will affect the intricate mechanisms of a dishwasher, which become fouled with calcium and magnesium carbonates.
Eventually, all appliances that use or process water such as ice makers and coffeemakers, work less efficiently with hard water. The reduced life of equipment due to mineral build-up is a major cause of service calls and replacements.
All of these hard water issues can be a concern for potential homebuyers, which in turn could eventually lead to lower asking price for a home. Thankfully there is a solution for all of these problems. A solution that can be found at a new homes water Point of Entry.
Solutions for hard water effects
Soft water helps to reduce or eliminate scale deposits caused by calcium and other minerals and helps insure the longevity of a home’s plumbing, water centered appliances, and fixtures. It is always a good idea to test a home’s water to calculate the quality of hardness and test for chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals that a homeowner may not desire in their water. A properly configured whole house water system can bring years of trouble-free water issues for the home. Installation of a home water system directly at the water’s Point of Entry will immediately begin to bring added value to a new home.
