The Dangers of Hard Water in San Diego

How Mineral Accumulation can Cause the Need for Water Damage Clean up

Hard water is defined by a high mineral salt content that limits the formation of lather with soap and can cause problems with your piping and water supply system. The mineral content in hard water can cause a build-up of limescale in your system. This blockage can eventually result in cracked pipes. Hard water can be harmful to urban and industrial areas because it can can cause breakdowns in water towers, boilers, and any other equipment that handles the flow of water. The resulting maintenance can cost the taxpayers millions of dollars. Dealing with hard water is unavoidable in areas with heavy infrastructure, so the mineral levels must be monitored and their effects must be reduced.

If you experience a pipe burst due to hard water and limescale build-up, please call us here at San Diego Flood Restoration immediately.

We previously mentioned that hard water hinders and reduces the ability of detergents to lather with soap, due to the heavy mineral salt content. This is due to the many calcium and magnesium ions preventing the bubbles in soap from expanding. Soap forming a heavy lather is not the biggest concern. However, this provides a great way to tell if you have hard water in your home.

The Dangers of Hard Water in the Home

Hard water can form limescale in water heaters and piping systems. Limescale is a chalky, off-white buildup that is unsightly and can seriously impair the operation of your water system and home plumbing. This limescale and mineral ion buildup is the primary danger of hard water in the home, which is the cause of many pipe bursts and water damage clean up projects in San Diego.

A burst pipe caused by hard water can cause financial loss, but there are steps you can take to soften the water and minimize the possibility of flood damage due to limescale buildup.

Softening Water

Water softening is removing the mineral salts and metallic ions in hard water, and this is most commonly accomplished by introducing ion-exchange resins to the water source. Without getting too deep into the chemistry, the calcium and magnesium ions are attracted to this resin, latch on, and are carried out of your water system.

There are many different types and brands of water softeners and conditioners you can use to soften the water in your home, and our friendly staff here at San Diego Flood Restoration would be happy to make a recommendation. Water damage clean up emergencies are a lot less fun and much more costly than a simple inspection. If you suspect you have hard water and dangerous limescale build-up, please call us as soon as possible.