The quality of the water in your home can have a major impact on your plumbing system. From hard water to corrosive elements, poor water quality can cause a host of issues within your plumbing systems, leading to costly repairs and even health concerns.
In this article, we’ll explain what we mean by ‘water quality’, explore the connection between water quality and plumbing, and discuss why maintaining both is vital for ensuring a safe and efficient home.
What is water quality?
When we say ‘water quality’, we are referring to the biological, chemical and physical characteristics of water. The key factors that impact water quality include:
- Hardness: The mineral content of the water.
- pH levels: A measure of how acidic or alkaline water is, ranging from 0-14.
- Contamination: Substances such as chemicals, heavy metals, or microorganisms present in water.
These factors can all affect the quality of the water. Hard water, for example, has high contents of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can be damaging to appliances. Extremely high or low pH levels can corrode pipes and fixtures, leading to leaks or contamination and water contaminated with chemicals or microorganisms can cause health risks and may damage plumbing materials over time.
Hard water vs. soft water: What’s the difference and how can it influence plumbing?
There are two different types of water: hard and soft. As we mentioned above, the hardness of the water refers to the amount of minerals that are present, mainly calcium and magnesium.
Hard water has high levels of these minerals, which can lead to a buildup of them within pipes and appliances. This buildup can cause blockages and reduce water flow, decreasing the efficiency of water heaters and other appliances over time.
On the other hand, soft water contains fewer minerals, making it gentler on plumbing systems. It prevents scale buildup, extending the lifespan of pipes and appliances and improving water pressure. The difference between hard and soft water can significantly affect the health and efficiency of your plumbing system, so much so that houses in hard water areas often have a water softener installed to reduce the mineral buildup within their pipes.
How can hard water impact plumbing?
As we’ve discussed, hard water can have a negative impact on your property’s plumbing system. Let’s explore this in some more detail.
One of the most common issues caused by hard water is the buildup of minerals in pipes, known as scaling. The high concentration of calcium and magnesium can narrow the pipes over time, restricting water flow and causing blockages. If not repaired, this scaling can result in reduced water pressure.
Hard water can also damage water heaters, boilers, and other appliances. The mineral deposits that build up within these systems reduce their efficiency and force them to work harder to heat water. Not only does this shorten the lifespan of the appliance, but it can significantly increase energy bills.
The long-term impact of hard water can result in significant plumbing expenses for homeowners. Pipes may need to be descaled or even replaced if mineral build up continues, and the added strain on appliances can cause higher maintenance costs and increased energy bills. Regular monitoring and water treatment solutions can help to reduce these issues and protect your plumbing system.
How can contaminants affect plumbing systems?
Contaminated water can have a significant negative impact on your plumbing system, leading to potential leaks and water damage. Let’s discuss some of the most common water contaminants and how they get into the water stream in the first place:
- Lead
- Chlorine
- Iron
- Microplastics
- Arsenic
- Fluoride
- Pesticides
Chemicals and microorganisms can contaminate water in a number of different ways. Lead and other heavy metals, for example, can leach from old pipes and plumbing fixtures and contaminate your water system. Pesticides and chemicals used in agriculture can run off into water sources, and arsenic is a naturally occurring element that can contaminate groundwater due to mining or agricultural activities.
These contaminants can corrode pipes within your water system, leading to leaks and extensive water damage. And on top of this, many of these contaminants pose significant health risks, especially in children, the elderly and chronically ill people.
The role of plumbing in maintaining water quality
Just as water quality can affect your plumbing, these systems can also impact the quality of the water that comes out of your taps and water pipes. When plumbing systems are in good condition, they help prevent contaminants getting in and reduce the risk of waterborne pathogens entering your home. Regular maintenance of plumbing systems also ensures that pipes are free from any mineral buildup, corrosion, and blockages, maintaining a high water pressure.
Filtration systems and water softeners are essential tools for enhancing water quality. Filtration systems can remove impurities, chemicals, and contaminants, providing cleaner and safer drinking water. Water softeners help combat the effects of hard water by reducing mineral content, preventing scale buildup and extending the lifespan of plumbing fixtures and appliances.
To maintain water safety, it’s also important to schedule regular inspections and plumbing upgrades. Routine check-ups can identify potential issues before they become major problems, and upgrading ageing pipes and fixtures can also enhance water quality and efficiency.
How to improve water quality in your home
Fortunately, there are a number of simple things that you can do in order to improve your water quality in your property:
- Flush your water pipes: Run cold water taps for a couple of minutes or flush the toilet before using water for cooking or drinking to ensure the water you’re using is fresh and of high quality.
- Use cold water: Make sure you use cold water rather than hot water for drinking and cooking. Hot water might contain contaminants and bacteria that build up in your water heater that will be consumed by the people in your home.
- Drain your water heater: Ensure your water heater is drained once a year to remove any sediment and bacteria that has built up inside the tank.
- Install plumbing solutions: Installing solutions such as filtration systems and water softeners, and replacing any old lead pipes will ensure that your water is of a higher quality and safer for you and your plumbing.
- Have annual plumbing system inspections: Hiring a professional plumber to inspect your plumbing systems yearly will ensure that any issues with your pipes are fixed before too much damage is caused.
- Replace an old boiler: Old boilers can develop rust, scale, and sediment buildup, which can affect the water running through the system. By replacing your existing boiler to a newer, more efficient model, you reduce the risk of sediment contamination.
By following these steps, you can significantly improve the quality of water in your home, ensuring both your health and your plumbing system are well protected.
How GreenSmart can help
If you’re concerned about the water quality in your home or you’ve experienced some of the symptoms of poor water quality, GreenSmart is here to help. We have a number of different plumbing and heating solutions that we can offer to improve your water quality.
Our engineers are trained and experienced in all emergency plumbing situations, so if poor water quality has caused a leak or blocked pipes, they will be able to resolve them as soon as possible.
We are available for plumbing emergencies 24/7 and are always happy to help. Contact us today to discuss your plumbing requirements.
