Are hard water deposits harmful?
85% of US households are facing hard water problems but only 30% have installed water softening systems.
But why?
The states including California, Texas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Arizona, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin have banned the salt-producing water softeners in the region for their irregular use and disposal method during the regeneration process in the local sewage system.
Hard Water is not Bad For You!
The National Research Council (National Academy of Sciences) states that hard drinking water generally contributes a small amount toward the total calcium and magnesium needed in the human diet. The Council further states that in some instances, where dissolved calcium and magnesium are very high, water could be a major contributor of calcium and magnesium to the diet.
Interestingly, numerous studies suggest a correlation between hard water and lower cardiovascular disease mortality. However, no firm conclusions have been drawn and the National Research Council has recommended further studies be conducted.
On the other hand, when you soften your water with ion exchange water softener system, sodium (salt) will be added to your water. According to the Water Quality Association (WQA) the ion exchange softening process adds sodium at the rate of about 8mg/liter for each grain of hardness removed per gallon of water. For example, if water has a hardness of 10 grains per gallon, it will contain about 80mg/liter of sodium after being softened with an ion exchange softener if all hardness minerals are removed.
Because of the sodium content of softened water and potential benefits of drinking hard water, some individuals may be advised by their physician to use unsoftened water for drinking and cooking.
But Hard Water Deposits are Bad for Home!
Hard water itself isn’t a health hazard but hard water deposits can be a nuisance within the home. From increased utility costs to unsightly yellow and brown stains in the toilet bowl and poor functioning flushing system, hard water mineral deposits and rusts are a constant headache.
Source of Hard Water Deposit
If your home has hard water, you’ll notice mineral deposits, stains or a white film on surfaces like porcelain, enamel, china, stainless steel, tile, chrome, fiberglass, and glass. You may notice stains on bathroom fixtures, toilet bowls, dishes, and sinks. In addition to magnesium and calcium, manganese, brass, iron or copper can also be present in the water. Manganese stains look brownish or black, while iron-rich water leaves deposits that look red or like white slime. If you notice blue or green stains around your plumbing fixtures, your water may be slightly acidic, which can erode brass or copper pipes.
Problems caused by hard water deposits
Problems caused by hard water deposits can be categorized into three groups:
Bad Looks!
There are more searches on google on 'how to remove toilet rust stains' than there are on how to 'soften the toilet water'. In fact, no one ever searches for the latter. Most households look at it as a cleaning task that needs to be handled using cheap or powerful cleaning detergents or bleaches.
Interestingly enough, while these solutions only momentarily fix the aesthetic issues caused by hard water deposits, they also over time, make your surfaces more prone to hard water deposit buildup and so it feels like the more you scrub, the sooner these rust stains come back. Soon you will find it close to impossible to remove the stains.
Another thing is that the rust stain is caused by hard water deposits and hard water negatively affects a detergent's cleaning power. So you will need to be using more detergents to clean your toilet bowls. That means higher carbon footprint and higher detergent costs.
We certainly recommend against using detergents to remove rusts and suggest you use our patented Magic Eco Balls to prevent deposits from forming. Pulitamin Magic Eco Balls soften the water in the tank to eliminate the hard water deposit at its root. And unlike those water softening systems that are banned in some states, it doesn't product salt or release any type of chemicals into the water. It is safe, easy to use, and it works!
Bad Function!
Mineral deposits from hard water can build up around the openings in your shower head, around your flushing system and inside your pipes causing clogs that reduce the water pressure and reduces the flushing power of your toilet.
Hard water buildup inside your pipes provides a home for bacteria to grow specially if you live in an older home that has steel pipes. Bacteria buildup can cause foul smells and also pose a threat to your health.
Bad Cost!
Plated plumbing fixtures that are discoloured from mineral buildup are often beyond restoration, because the chemicals eat through the coating. Mineral build-up around drains and faucets can damage the rubber washers that seal the fixtures, creating leaks that can cause even more damage.
In some cases, mineral deposits can become so bad that there is a chemical change that permanently damages the material.
Lime scale, made up of magnesium and calcium deposits, can build up in your plumbing system and reduce the flow of water through the pipes. PVC and copper pipes are not as susceptible to this problem, but it is a big issue for steel pipes. Over time, your home’s water pressure will be lower, and as the water flow slows down the buildup of lime scale will speed up until eventually your water pipes are completely clogged. Once they become completely blocked, your pipes will have to be replaced.
Conclusion
In short, in order to prevent costly damages, it is important to properly remove hard water deposits and prevent them from coming back. Check out our guides on our knowledge base on how to properly care for your home.
