If you live in an area with hard water, you know the chalky white residue it leaves behind. This residue, called limescale or calcium buildup, stains fixtures and clogs faucets. Finding effective hard water solutions becomes essential for every homeowner dealing with this frustrating problem.
Constantly cleaning your faucet aerator just to maintain decent water flow means you’re fighting a losing battle. Cleaning provides a temporary fix, but the problem returns because the issue is with the water itself. This constant clogging signals you need a permanent, whole-home solution.
At Repipe Solutions Inc., we understand the frustrations of hard water buildup. This guide explains why calcium clogs your faucets and how to fix hard water problems for good.
What is Hard Water and Why Does it Clog Faucets?
“Hard water” contains high concentrations of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. As this water flows through pipes and fixtures, minerals crystallize and form limescale deposits.
The aerator at your faucet tip has a fine mesh screen. This screen is the perfect place for limescale to form. Deposits build up and block the screen holes, restricting water flow to a trickle.
While the aerator clogs most visibly, hard water buildup happens throughout your entire plumbing system:
- Inside your faucet’s cartridge, restricting flow
- Inside your showerhead, clogging the nozzles
- Inside your pipes, reducing diameter and lowering water pressure
- Inside your water heater, reducing efficiency and lifespan
Constantly cleaning your faucet aerator treats a single symptom of a much larger disease.
The Temporary Fix: How to Clean a Clogged Aerator
If your faucet is currently clogged, clean it to restore flow. This is a simple process:
- Unscrew the aerator from the faucet tip.
- Disassemble the aerator and note the order of parts.
- Soak the parts in white vinegar for several hours or overnight. The acid dissolves calcium deposits.
- Scrub away remaining deposits with an old toothbrush and rinse thoroughly.
- Reassemble and reinstall the aerator.
This restores water flow temporarily. With hard water, you’ll repeat this process every few months.
The Permanent Hard Water Solution: A Whole Home Water Softener
Tired of constantly dealing with clogged faucets? The only permanent solution is treating water at its source. A water softener for hard water installs on your main water line where it enters your home. It removes hard water minerals before they ever enter your plumbing system.
How a Water Softener Works
A traditional whole home water softener uses ion exchange:
- Water enters a tank filled with small resin beads charged with sodium ions.
- Calcium and magnesium ions are attracted to the resin. They trade places with sodium ions.
- The resin traps hardness minerals. Soft water flows out to your home.
Removing calcium and magnesium completely eliminates limescale buildup.
Water Softener Benefits
Installing a water softener dramatically impacts your entire home:
- No More Clogged Faucets and Showerheads: Fixtures maintain full flow without constant cleaning.
- Eliminates Limescale Stains: Say goodbye to chalky residue on faucets, sinks, and shower doors.
- Protects Your Appliances: Prevents scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. This improves efficiency and extends lifespan.
- Softer Skin and Hair: Soft water is gentler on your body.
- Uses Less Soap and Detergent: Soft water lathers more effectively, so you use less product.
Stop Fighting a Losing Battle
If you’re constantly cleaning your faucet aerator, stop treating the symptom. Start treating the disease. A whole home water softener is the most effective way to protect your plumbing and appliances.
The experts at Repipe Solutions Inc. test your water to determine its hardness level. We recommend the perfect water softening system for your home. Our professional installation ensures you enjoy water softener benefits for years to come.
Contact us today to schedule a water quality consultation!
