Living in South Florida means hard water is a way of life. This region of Florida features a large number of limestone deposits. This includes the Biscayne Aquifer, a source of highly permeable limestone that also happens to supply almost all of the urban water supply. As a result, residents and visitors to South Florida are all too familiar with chalky spots on their dishes and limescale buildup around their faucets thanks to hard water. 

The everyday effects of hard water can be annoying, but there are more serious issues that could be lurking in your plumbing. Beneath the surface, hard water can create long-term problems for your entire plumbing system. 

Let’s take a look at what exactly hard water is, how it could be damaging plumbing, and what homeowners can do about it. 

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water is essentially water that has a high content of dissolved minerals. Calcium and magnesium are the two primary minerals found in hard water, and while harmless to consume, they’re not so benign for plumbing. 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, hard water is measured by the amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) of minerals in parts per million or grains per gallon. 

• 0-3 grains per gallon is considered soft water
• 3.5 – 7 grains per gallon is considered to be moderate and ideal for most homes 
• More than 7.5 grains per gallon is considered hard water and should be addressed with water softener solutions

Here are a few average hard water levels of some cities in South Florida 

• Miami: > 200 ppm or more than 11 gpg
• Fort Lauderdale: 157 ppm or 9 gpg
• Port St Lucie: 197 ppm or 12 gpg  
• Coral Springs: 298 ppm or 17 gpg
• Boca Raton: 72.5 ppm or 4.3 gpg

These levels show us that hard water is a way of life in South Florida, making it important to understand how mineral buildup can affect pipes. 

How Hard Water Damages Pipes 

The struggle with hard water is that over time, the minerals can settle out of the water and accumulate on the inside of pipes. This creates a hard build-up called scale. When left unchecked, scale can build up to the point that it causes major issues with plumbing. 

Clogged Pipes 

Clogged pipes are the most common issue associated with hard water. As the minerals settle and stick to the pipes, they narrow the water’s passageway. In extreme cases, hard water scale can significantly reduce water flow and strain plumbing. 

Corrosion

Hard water deposits also increase the risk of corrosion. This happens when scale accumulates unevenly, which creates these pockets where water can settle and become trapped. This is the perfect formula for accelerating corrosion and increasing the risk of leaks. 

Hot Water Heater Damage 

Hot water systems are impacted by hard water, which can reduce both their efficiency and their lifespan. New hot water systems are a costly investment, making it important to protect the one you have against hard water damage. 

Hard Water & Plumbing Fixtures

While damage to plumbing can be the most costly and inconvenient to repair, the effects of hard water extend to plumbing fixtures and appliances, as well. 

Faucets & Shower Heads

If you’ve noticed crusty green or white deposits around your home’s faucets and showerheads, these are telltale signs of limescale buildup. This isn’t attractive and can be difficult to clean, but keeping faucets and showerheads free of limescale is important for your fixtures. Limescale can clog these fixtures, just like they do pipes. This can reduce water flow coming through and cause uneven spray patterns. 

Toilets & Sinks 

Just like faucets and showerheads, your home’s toilets and sinks are also at risk of the effects of hard water over time. Limescale deposits are notoriously challenging to clean off of porcelain fixtures. However, this is also a sign that buildup may be occurring elsewhere, including the drainpipes. 

Appliances 

Appliances that are exposed to hard water can also suffer the consequences. Dishwashers, garbage disposals, and refrigerators with water dispensers are the most commonly affected. Hard water can build up on interior components and shorten the lifespan of the appliance. 

The Cost of Hard Water on Your Wallet

Plumbing repairs and replacing appliances are inconvenient but are also costly. Add to this the costs of replacing appliances and higher utility bills, and the cost of hard water adds up quickly. 

High Energy Bills: Water heaters with scale built up on their components use energy less efficiently to heat water. 

Frequent Repairs: Water heaters, dishwashers, garbage disposals, and ice makers that are exposed to hard water tend to break down faster. This leads to more frequent repairs and eventually shortening of the appliance’s lifespan. 

Pile Placement: As scale builds up, it can narrow sections of pipes and cause corrosion. Over time, this can require repiping sections of your home. 

6 Signs Your Home is Suffering from Hard Water Damage 

It’s usually pretty easy to tell if your home has severely hard water by taste alone, but with less severe cases it might not be as obvious. There are signs to look for that can indicate that not only hard water is present, but that it could also be taking its toll on your home’s plumbing, fixtures, and appliances. 

1. Reduced water pressure as a result of scale build-up in pipes
2. White or green residue around faucets and showerheads that is difficult to remove
3. Stubborn soap scum caused by hard water reacting with soap
4. A feeling of soapy residue on your hair or skin after bathing
5. Glassware and dishes with water spots that are difficult to remove
6. Clothing that has become faded, scratchy, or wears out faster than typical due to mineral deposits interacting with fabrics in the laundry.

What Can You Do About It?

Fortunately, hard water is something that can be dealt with. Homeowners who are proactive in minimizing hard water damage can save themselves the costs and inconvenience of repairs. 

Water Softeners

As far as the easy, ongoing solutions are concerned, a water softener is hands-down the best defense against hard water damage. Water softeners remove minerals, like calcium and magnesium from the water, preventing scale buildup and damage. 

Water softeners add value to everyday life in other ways as well. While there is an initial investment, they can help homeowners save money in the long term. They reduce the time spent cleaning and make drinking water taste better. For personal care, water softeners eliminate soap scum on hair, skin, clothing, and dishes. 

Regular Maintenance 

Regular plumbing maintenance is important for all homes, but it’s essential for those with hard water. At least once or twice a year, hire a professional to come in and inspect the pipes. They should be checking for leaks, scale buildup, and corrosion so that it can be remedied before becoming a major issue. 

In addition to this, it’s important to flush the water heater annually to remove scale and keep it running smoothly. 

Point of Use Filters 

If hard water is causing specific issues, such as causing the scale to build up excessively around faucets, interfering with the taste of drinking water, or leaving you feeling less than clean after a shower, a point-of-use filter is a solution. 

Point-of-use filters don’t remedy the underlying problem of hard water and its effects on plumbing, but they can be an effective way to provide further water softening at specific points of use. 

What About DIY Hard Water Solutions

There are a number of things homeowners can do on their own to solve hard water issues. Taking a weekend to descale faucets or installing a water softener is an easy DIY that most homeowners can do. 

Final Thoughts on Hard Water in South Florida

The hard water in South Florida might seem like nothing more than a small inconvenience, but the reality is that it can be the cause of major damage to pipes and fixtures in your home. Learn to recognize the signs of hard water damage in your home, take preventive measures when possible, and connect with professional plumbing services for both maintenance and repairs. At All Year Cooling, we’re the plumbing professional in South Florida equipped to handle your hard water needs, contact us today.