If your home is one of the many in Australia which relies on groundwater, the chances are it will be hard water. Hard water has a very high mineral content which can cause a buildup of limescale within your pipes and taps and increase wear on non-metal fittings. If you are experiencing problems with hard water, you may be wondering about steps you can take to combat it. Below are 4 ways you can protect your plumbing system and deal with other problems associated with hard water.
Install PVC piping
If your home is currently fitted with steel pipes, you should consider replacing these with PVC. PVC piping is less susceptible to collecting the minerals deposited by hard water. Although this is a major plumbing job that will require the skills of an professional plumber, it is one of the most sure fire ways of protecting your home from the issues caused by hard water.
Use a water softening system
A water softening system are designed to convert hard water into soft water before it enters your home plumbing system. It does this by passing the hard water through beds of resin and replacing the magnesium and calcium ions in the water with potassium. It is possible to buy and install these systems yourself, but it can be a little complicated, so unless you are confident in your DIY abilities it may be best to contact a professional plumber.
Use a rain water tank
As well as causing problems with your plumbing system, hard water can also have an unpleasant taste. If this is the case, you should consider investing in a rain water tank. While it is unlikely that Australia will get enough rain to allow you to use the tank for all your water needs, you should have enough to use for food preparation and drinking water. During rainy seasons, you may even be able to hook the tank up to the rest of your plumbing system which will give you access to soft water throughout your home.
Clean plumbing fittings
You should use a solution of white vinegar and water to clean any buildup of lime scale on fittings such as taps and shower heads. As well as wiping down the outside, you should also unscrew the shower head and taps and allow them to soak overnight in the vinegar solution. This will dissolve any build up of limescale.
If you are experiencing problems caused by hard water, you should contact a professional plumber.
Share30 June 2016
Welcome to my blog! My name is Richard and my big passion in life is looking for old buildings to restore. My love of old buildings started when I was seven years old and I visited my grandparent's house in Alice Springs. It was a large Victorian building which looked magnificent even though it was in a bad state of repair. Once I grew up and made some money, I decided I would like to invest in old buildings to bring them back to life. I hire a range of different contractors to complete the work on my behalf but I take a keen interest and I have learnt a lot of things.