As many of the plumbers in Omaha will attest, the hard water here can really wreak havoc on your pipes and appliances. Overtime, it stains clothing, porcelain, and anything your water sprinklers hit. The scaling left behind is not just unsightly; it can also be costly.
What exactly is it?
The problem is caused by minerals like limestone, magnesium, and calcium. When a substantial amount of these small minerals makes their way into your water, the water can feel slimy or filmy. It also makes it difficult to work up a luxurious soapy lather in your evening bubble bath.
Specific levels can vary by time of year, water source, and what part of the Omaha area you live in. But on average, the minerals found here measure in at 188 PPM. Water is considered hard at any measurement above 120 PPM.
What does it do to plumbing?
Though harmless to our health, all the minerals present in water tend to build up in all the worst places. Faucets, drains, pipe elbows, and even your ice maker are particularly susceptible to plumbing problems.
Over time, these deposits team up with the soap and other substances going down your drain, creating scum that clogs plumbing and slows down your water flow. The minerals can also block your dishwasher sprayers and shower heads. When they interrupt water flow, these small blockages cause mega problems. Your water pressure will increase at the main water source, putting your most critical plumbing at risk.
How can homeowners protect their plumbing?
Plumbers in Omaha generally have two recommendations for treating these issues: install an under-sink water filter for point-of-use water softening or protect all your pipes with a whole-home filtration system.
Under-sink filters give you access to softened water for drinking and cooking. They’re easy to install, simple to maintain, and are fairly inexpensive. However, they don’t offer your home any protection against the long-term effects.
To extend the longevity of your most important pipes, consider installing a whole-house filtration system that softens all water before it enters your home. While the upfront cost is higher, whole-house systems keep those trace minerals from clogging your pipes, slowing your water flow, and decreasing the efficiency of your appliances. In the long run, these systems can pay for themselves in maintenance savings.
At Burton, our team of expert plumbers install and maintain both point-of-use and whole house water softening systems. For more info, or to request a quote, give us a call today at (402) 343-0011.
