We hear much about the different contaminants and pollutants in our water and hear about the adverse effects they can have on our health. We can also see the icky buildup of mineral deposits in our bathtubs and sinks. Imagine what some of these deposits are doing to the very pipes that bring water to and from our faucets?
These minerals, like iron and manganese, build up in pipelines, pressure tanks, water heaters, and water softeners which reduces the available quantity and pressure of the water supply. Iron and manganese accumulations can also hurt the pocketbook. Their problems can cause the need for plumbing to be replaced! There are also associated increased energy costs, like pumping water through constricted pipes or heating water with heating rods coated with iron or manganese minerals.
First of all, those with hard water are most likely to be inflicted with plumbing problems. That's because hard water means there are more minerals in the water. Iron, as mentioned above, is one element that can wreak havoc on plumbing and appliances. Not only does this make that orange ring in the sink, but faucets and water pipes carrying water with iron in it can become damaged and clogged. In fact, the life span of appliances such as water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers can also be shortened due to the ill effects of iron buildup. Again- there's that economic factor. There are iron filters available which can save pipes from being damaged, prevent clogs- and eliminate the ring forever!
Calcium and magnesium are two other minerals that easily stick to surfaces from their bonds with water molecules. These can build a scale on pipes, which can lead to heating problems. They can slow down on the heat transfer which can make the system work harder, and in fact, raise the fuel bill by 30%. Water that is slightly acidic is also sometimes to blame, as are high levels of dissolved minerals, carbon dioxide, chloride, and sulfate. The latter few of those can cause corrosion on the pipes.
Also, water softeners are used to remove some of these minerals, as are chlorination and oxidation. With a reverse osmosis filter to remove these minerals or a water softener there are more added bonuses that just eliminate the headaches from clogged pipes: clothes will be brighter and whiter, the skin will glow, and be moist, hair will be healthy and there won't reside on dishes! The cost of getting a filtration system is nothing to having to install new plumbing and new appliances.
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