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Effects of Hard Water

You hear a lot about it, and you experience the problems it causes, whether you realize it or not. Dull hair, spotty dishes, a film on shower walls and doors, encrusted shower heads, a limescale build up under the toilet rim, stiff, dingy laundry, difficult to clean tubs and showers, and problems with the water heater, to name a few. If you recognize any of these signs, you have hard water. A Benjamin Franklin Plumbing plumber in Fort Worth can provide the solution you need.

Hard water is the term for water with an excessive amount of natural minerals in it, typically calcium and magnesium. The hardness of water is measured in grains per gallon (GPG), and above 10.5 GPG is considered hard water. In addition, you should be able to obtain a free water quality report from your municipal supplier.

The latest information states minerals are not harmful to your body, and may even be beneficial. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for your plumbing in Fort Worth. Hard water can clog pipes and reduce the lifespan of the water heater, especially if it is not routinely maintained by flushing the sediment due to hard water  out of the tank. Flushing is a fairly simple task, but if you prefer a professional flush, a Ben Franklin plumber in Fort Worth can provide it for you. The recommended frequency will vary according to the hardness of your water. Your Ben Franklin plumber in Fort Worth  is the best source for advice on your recommended frequency.

The sediment which accumulates in the bottom of the conventional water heater wastes energy by forcing it to heat through layers of  buildup before the water can be heated. This consumes more energy, and extends the recovery time (the time it takes to heat a tank of incoming fresh water). While sediment is worse in the tank style water heater, a tankless water heater is also affected by lime scale build up. The tankless can also lose efficiency and requires cleaning periodically.

Dishwashers are also affected by hard water. However, maintaining a scale free dishwasher is typically as simple as placing a cup or two of white vinegar in a heavy container on the top rack.

An additional area affected by hard water is in your home’s water lines where  blockages can occur. Furthermore, the reduced water pressure you are experiencing may be due to a partial blockage. Over time, the blockage can become complete, especially in small water lines such as supplies your toilet.

If your health and home is being affected by hard water, and you would like a solution, give us a call. A Ben Franklin Plumbing plumber in Fort Worth can provide a solution with the installation of an ion-exchange water softener.

The water softener uses the process of ion exchange to exchange sodium or potassium ions for hard water minerals.  With frequent water heater maintenance you can reduce the effects of hard water on this appliance, but a water softener provides the only guarantee.

The Benefits of a Water Softener

A Benjamin Franklin plumber in Fort Worth can provide a water softener installation for your home.  The water softener provides the following benefits:

• Eliminates spotty dishes.
• Increases the effectiveness while reducing the amount of cleaning and personal care products needed, such as laundry detergent, shampoo, bath soap, and household cleaning products.
• Your laundry will be softer, cleaner, with longer lasting colors.
• Hair will be softer, shinier, with more life and skin will experience less dryness and itching.
• A water softener helps to extend the lifespan of water using appliances, especially the water heater.
• Cleaning is easier after a water softener installation. Hard water leaves minerals on surfaces such as the shower door, and soap scum is more likely to cling to these surfaces affected by hard water. You can see the difference on shower doors, shower walls, bathtubs, toilets, shower heads and faucets after water softener installation.

A Ben Franklin plumber in Fort Worth offers professional services for your plumbing needs. Our licensed plumbers can provide an effective solution for your home’s hard water with a water softener installation. Our professional plumbers can provide the plumbing services you need with the expertise you can rely on. A Benjamin Franklin Plumbing plumber in Fort Worth offers expert plumbing repair, plumbing installation and maintenance services. We serve Fort Worth, Arlington and the surrounding areas, and are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.