HARD WATER IN FLORIDA: ALL-PURPOSE GUIDE FOR HOMEOWNERS
Are you seeing scum build-up on your shower walls or noticing your tap water tastes a little funny? You’re likely dealing with hard water, a common issue that can cause several expensive problems when left unchecked.
While hard water isn’t harmful to your health, it can damage your appliances and make your food taste worse. Over time, it can even lead to clogs or leaks in your piping! If you’re dealing with hard water in Florida and want to know what you can do, we can help. Unique Services has been helping Florida homeowners with their plumbing and water issues since 1951.
Got a plumbing issue you need help with now? We offer pipe inspection, leak detection, emergency services, and more. Give us a call at 941-487-2625 to speak with a plumber!
WHAT IS HARD WATER AND WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
Hard water refers to water with a higher-than-average mineral content. While some minerals, like calcium and magnesium, are healthy, too many minerals can cause issues.
THE PROBLEMS WITH HARD WATER BUILD-UP
The effects of hard water on your plumbing don’t show up immediately. It can take months or even years before you notice the effects, resulting in an expensive problem that appears seemingly out of nowhere.
CLOGS AND PRESSURE ISSUES
Can hard water damage your plumbing and pipes? Yes! Too many minerals eventually result in a sticky residue that can’t easily be washed away. This build-up clings to the inside of your pipes, restricting water flow and causing clogs or pressure issues.
These problems can look like your shower head sputtering water instead of a steady stream, or your pipes making more noise than usual.
APPLIANCE DAMAGE AND LIFESPAN SHORTAGE
Along with your pipes, your kitchen and bathroom appliances will show wear and tear earlier if they have to deal with too much hard water. You may notice your coffee maker not working quite like it used to, or your dishwasher needing frequent repairs.
INCREASED RISK FOR LEAKS
Mineral deposits can get thick and heavy, wearing out your pipe material and increasing the chances of a crack. Leaks can even cause additional damage, like ruined floorboards or mold problems.
If you’re worried about hard water in your Florida home, our plumbers can take a look at your plumbing to check your hard water levels. Schedule an appointment online by filling out our short form.
WHY DOES FLORIDA HAVE A HARD WATER PROBLEM?
To understand Florida’s hard water, you need to look at its geographical makeup. The state has what’s known as a karst topography, meaning much of the land is made up of limestone.
The limestone contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. Since much of Florida’s tap water comes from this groundwater supply, it often carries these minerals. While calcium and magnesium are a normal part of your diet, excess amounts can lead to mineral build-up in your pipes and appliances.
8 SIGNS YOU HAVE HARD WATER ISSUES
There’s a silver lining when dealing with hard water in Florida. The signs are unambiguous and easy to recognize:
You notice chalky or white build-up on your bathtub, shower walls, or showerhead.
You see spots or scum that won’t rinse off your dishes.
Your skin or hair feels dry after washing or showering.
You experience recurring clogs and water pressure issues without a clear cause.
You hear unusual noises coming from your water heater.
Your laundry often comes out looking dingy or feeling stiff and rough.
You need frequent plumbing repairs, such as for leaks or clogs.
Your tap water tastes off or has a noticeable mineral taste.
Do any of these signs sound familiar? We provide fast, thorough plumbing services, like leak detection and 24/7 emergency repair.
HOW TO FIX HARD WATER IN YOUR HOME
Hard water in Florida doesn’t have to be part of your day-to-day life. There are several solutions you can use to reduce hard water or test to see how much is in your home.
WATER SOFTENER SYSTEMS
You may already have an idea of how water treatment works if you’ve used simple water filters in your kitchen. Whole-home water softener systems go a step further by reducing mineral content before it affects your pipes and appliances.
These systems work through an ion exchange process in a mineral tank filled with tiny resin beads, which replace calcium and magnesium with sodium or potassium. Once you have a whole-home system installed, you may notice changes like reduced residue on fixtures and improved soap performance. Over time, this can also help cut back on pipe and water heater issues.
Soft water is generally better for your plumbing since it reduces scale buildup and helps prevent clogs. However, to avoid oversoftening or improper setup, it’s best to contact a professional plumber with years of experience rather than trying to adjust the system yourself. Water that’s too soft may feel slippery, taste a little different, or contribute to minor metal leaching in older plumbing systems.
DESCALING TREATMENTS
If you don’t have a particularly bad hard water problem but still want to reduce mineral build-up, you may prefer a descaler. This option doesn’t remove minerals from the water, but helps prevent scale buildup in pipes by altering how the minerals behave. Instead of sticking and hardening over time, they are less likely to adhere to surfaces and can pass through your system more easily.
This option is ideal for homeowners who are looking for a cost-effective alternative to a whole-home water softener system, especially when their hard water issues are mild.
PIPE FLUSHING
When you don’t need a whole-home water softener system or descaling treatment, you can reach out to a plumbing service for pipe flushing. Similar to flushing your water heater, this simple tool breaks up sticky mineral deposits as well as plumbing corrosion, like rust.
FIX YOUR PLUMBING WITH UNIQUE SERVICES
Hard water in Florida is an ongoing problem, but you can solve it with a visit from our plumbing team. We have decades of experience inspecting pipes, fixing leaks, and flushing water heaters: whatever you need to enjoy your home worry-free.
With our quick online scheduling and rotating specials, you can save time and money getting a solution for your home’s hard water issues.
You don’t have to deal with scummy shower walls or funny-tasting tap water anymore. Give us a call to talk with one of our plumbers about our latest deals.