How hard water can cause drainage problems

Hard water is water packed full of minerals which collect in water as it travels through the ground after falling as rain and is collected in reservoirs to be used in the public water system.  If you live in a hard water area you might have noticed the mineral build up around water fixtures, visible spots on dishes and glasses and your clothes might feel stiff after washing.

Limescale is also an effect of hard water, this builds up in appliances such as kettles, boilers, central heating and drainage systems.

How does hard water affect drains?

Hard water can have a negative effect on the function of your drains, pipes, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers. The excess minerals in hard water can cause limescale build ups which restrict water and waste water flow and make clogged or blocked drains more likely.

Soap based products also lead to damage when mixed with hard water. Instead of creating a lather, hard water and soap based products will create a soap scum. Excess soap scum in your drains can be a clear indicator that hard water is negatively affecting your drains and appliances.

Can I do anything to Prevent or reduce problems?

A long term solution might be to fit a water softener or filtering device which would reduce the effect of the hard water on all of your appliances as well as reducing the drainage issues but installing this could be costly.

A less expensive on-going method to reduce appliance and drainage issues will be to carefully choose your cleaning products, soaps and detergents. You can buy washing powder and detergents that are formulated for hard water.

How can ABS help?

If you suspect that hard water is causing drainage problems at your property, you should get professional help as soon as possible. At ABS Plumbing and Drainage, we have years of experience in drainage solutions. We recommend a CCTV drain survey to check the condition of your drains enabling us to assess the extent of the problem and consequently provide the best solution. We offer high-pressure drain jetting, non-dig drainage services and as a last resort, drainage excavation.

Certain areas of the country are more affected by hard water than others and London, Essex and Suffolk are among them. If you think you might have a problem with your drains which might have been caused by hard water, call ABS Plumbing and Drainage to see how we can help you.