1. [Home](/) 2. [Guides](/guides/) 3. [Leaks, frozen pipes and water pressure in Dayton-area homes](/guides/leaks-and-pipes-guide/) 4. What hard water does to your plumbing # What hard water does to your plumbing Hard water is not generally considered a health problem, but it is hard on plumbing. Here is what the minerals do, where you will notice them first and what your options are. ## Key takeaways - Hard water carries calcium and magnesium that leave scale when heated or dried. - Scale shows up first on shower heads, faucets and glassware, and builds quietly inside water heaters. - Regular water heater flushing and aerator cleaning slow the damage. - A water softener is the standard whole-house fix; a hardness test tells you whether you need one. ## Why water is hard in the Miami Valley Much of the Dayton area draws its water from underground sources. As groundwater moves through limestone and other rock, it picks up dissolved calcium and magnesium, and that is what makes water hard. Much of Ohio has hard water, though the level varies by town, by utility and between city water and private wells. Hardness is measured in grains per gallon or milligrams per liter. Your water utility's annual water quality report often lists it, or you can call and ask. If you are on a well, a water test will give you the number along with other useful information. ## Signs of hard water You will usually notice hard water before you test for it: - White, chalky crust on faucets, shower heads and around drains - Spots and film on glasses and dishes after the dishwasher - Soap and shampoo that do not lather well, and soap scum that builds up fast - Shower heads that spray unevenly as nozzles clog - Low flow at a faucet that improves when you clean the aerator - A water heater that pops, crackles or rumbles while heating None of these is an emergency, but they add up. The scale you can see on the outside of a faucet is also forming inside valves, pipes and appliances. ## What scale does to water heaters Water heaters take the worst of it. Heating water drives minerals out of solution, and they settle as sediment at the bottom of a tank heater. That layer sits between the burner or element and the water, so the heater works harder and takes longer to recover. The popping sound many people hear is water trapped under sediment boiling. Over time, heavy sediment can shorten a tank's life and clog the drain valve. Tankless heaters are affected too; scale builds in the heat exchanger and needs periodic descaling. Flushing a tank heater on the schedule in its manual helps. If the drain valve is clogged or you are not comfortable working around gas or high-voltage connections, have a plumber do it. Rumbling, slow recovery and rusty water are good reasons to have [water heaters](/services/water-heaters/) checked. ## Fixtures, valves and appliances Scale wears out the moving parts of your plumbing. Faucet cartridges stiffen and drip, toilet fill valves stick and run, and shower valves get hard to turn. Dishwashers and washing machines lose efficiency as their valves and heating parts scale up. For small parts, unscrew aerators and shower heads and soak them in white vinegar to dissolve buildup, then rinse. Check the manufacturer's care instructions first on specialty finishes. When cartridges and valves are too far gone, replacing them or upgrading [fixtures](/services/fixtures/) is often the better fix. ## Water softener basics A water softener removes hardness at the point where water enters the house. Most use ion exchange: water passes through a tank of resin beads that trade calcium and magnesium for sodium or potassium. A brine tank holds salt, and the system periodically regenerates by flushing the resin and sending the minerals down the drain. A few things to know: - A softener is sized to your water's hardness and your household's use, so start with a test. - It needs a drain, an outlet and room near the main line, often in the basement. - Outdoor faucets are often left on unsoftened water. - Some people prefer an unsoftened tap at the kitchen sink, or use potassium chloride instead of salt. - You will need to add salt and occasionally service the unit. Installation involves cutting into the main line and adding a bypass, so it is usually a job for a plumber. More on [water treatment](/services/water-treatment/) is available, and the [leaks, frozen pipes and water pressure guide](/guides/leaks-and-pipes-guide/) covers how scale relates to pressure problems. ## Frequently asked questions Is hard water safe to drink? Hard water is generally considered safe to drink; the minerals mainly affect plumbing, appliances and cleaning. If you are on a private well, test for other contaminants as well as hardness. How often should I flush my water heater? Follow the schedule in your heater's manual. Many manufacturers recommend flushing about once a year, and hard water is a good reason to stick to it. Does a water softener need maintenance? Yes. You will need to keep salt in the brine tank, watch for salt bridges that stop it from dissolving, and have the unit checked if water starts to feel hard again. 3 min read. ### Want us to handle it? McLean Plumbing works in Xenia, Beavercreek, Kettering, Dayton. [Get a quote](/contact/)[Call (937) 604-0206](tel:+19376040206) ### More in this guide - [Leaks, frozen pipes and water pressure in Dayton-area homes](/guides/leaks-and-pipes-guide/) - [Preventing frozen pipes in an Ohio winter](/guides/leaks-and-pipes-guide/prevent-frozen-pipes/) - [How to find a hidden water leak](/guides/leaks-and-pipes-guide/finding-hidden-leaks/) ### Related services - [Pipe Repair](/services/leak-repair/) - [Bathroom and Kitchen Plumbing Fixtures](/services/fixtures/) - [Water Softeners](/services/water-treatment/) ### Service areas - [Xenia](/areas/xenia/) - [Beavercreek](/areas/beavercreek/) - [Kettering](/areas/kettering/) - [Dayton](/areas/dayton/) ### Other guides - [Water heaters in Dayton area homes](/guides/water-heater-guide/) - [Drains, sewer lines and basement backups](/guides/drains-and-sewer-guide/) ## Call (937) 604-0206 or send a quote request. Quotes are free. [Get a quote](/contact/) [Call (937) 604-0206](tel:+19376040206) --- **McLean Plumbing** · 154 Richland Rd, Xenia, OH 45385 · (937) 604-0206 · abolka@mcleanplumbingllc.com [Get a quote](/contact/) · [Services](/services/) · [Guides](/guides/) · [FAQ](/faq/)