Can a Water Softener Damage Your Pipes?

Hard water is a prevalent problem many homeowners experience that results in unwanted plumbing problems and other impacts. This includes scale accumulation in the pipes , decreased functionality and lifespan in appliances, and dry skin and hair. This problem is typically addressed with water softeners. Through water softeners, water quality is aimed to be enhanced, and the harsh scale buildup on pipes is prevented. Nonetheless, the exact effects of water softeners can create a lot of question marks in the heads of homeowners, one of them being, “Do water softeners damage pipes?” In this article, we’ll try to answer this question.

How Will You Know If You Have Hard Water In The First Place?

After washing your hands or face, your skin will feel tight. It will also leave your skin and scalp (after a shower) dry and itchy. Also, hard water can make it harder for the soap to lather, and even after rinsing your hands, you may feel like there’s still a layer on your hands.
When you wash your clothes, you can see mineral stains that will be visible. Also, your clothes may lose the vibrant color very early on, and after drying, they will feel harsh and stiff.
When you take dishes out from the dishwasher, you’ll see that there are residues left on the dishes, especially white spots.
You may notice that water pressure in your house is getting lower with each passing day. Since there’s scale accumulation inside the pipes, the water flow will naturally reduce.

How Do Water Softeners Work?

Overall, soft water is thought to be more beneficial to your pipes. This can be achieved through water softeners. They work by releasing their own components into the water and lowering the calcium and magnesium levels inside the water. This way, the harsh scale buildup doesn’t take place, your appliances will function better, the water pressure problem will be resolved, and your skin and hair will feel much healthier.

Do Water Softeners Have Any Disadvantages?

Like we mentioned, overall water softeners are thought to be better for your plumbing system. So, to answer the question “Do water softeners damage pipes?” no, they don’t damage pipes. However, there are certain specific cases where they might lead to certain issues.

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Water softeners can add salt into the system to clean out the mineral buildup. However, this can be harmful if you have a septic system. Still, this issue can be prevented through additional control mechanisms.
Water softener installation should only be done by a professional plumber. If everything in the plumbing system isn’t arranged in the right manner, improper connections and water quality problems can take place. Also, if the water is oversoftened, then this can be corrosive to the pipes, especially if they are old.

Both of these problems can be prevented if a professional installs the water softener and decides on the additional details. Water softeners are still crucial for the protection of the plumbing systems for many homeowners.

Reliable Plumbing Services In Riverside, CA

If you see signs of hard water and are worried that it’s going to harm your appliances and plumbing system, give a call to the professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Our professionals will inspect your system thoroughly and decide if you have hard water and scale buildup. If this is the case, we can do a water softener installation in your system so your plumbing system, appliances, and health will be protected. If, as a result of scale buildup, damage is present, we offer pipe repair as well. All you need to do is to give us a call for any kind of plumbing service you require and let us take care of the rest.