What is that white buildup you see inside the kettle, on the shower head or when water patches dry on kitchen or bathroom surfaces?
It is dissolved minerals, which are present in large quantities in Calgary’s water. Our water originates from the Rocky Mountains and is considered “hard,” meaning that it has a high dissolved mineral content, predominantly calcium, and magnesium.
These minerals are not generally dangerous to human health (in fact, we need these minerals in our diets), but hard water buildup can cause havoc with the plumbing system in your home and damage appliances if not dealt with.
Let us look at the typical signs of hard water in your home—and how Calgary homeowners can protect their plumbing system.
Hard water signs in the home
Calgary water is treated before it reaches your home but still contains large quantities of calcium and magnesium collected from traveling through the Rocky Mountains.
The most obvious signs of hard water in your home are:
- Stains on kitchen and bathroom surfaces after the water evaporates
- Gray, red or brown stains on toilet bowls
- Stains on shower drains
- Chalky residue on faucets and showerheads
- Visible buildup of soap scum in bathtubs or on shower walls
- Calcium deposits inside kettles, dishwashers, humidifiers, and other appliances
- Dry dishes and glasses with visible mineral spots after the water evaporates
- Difficulty in generating foam from soap
Most Calgary homeowners are no strangers to hard water buildup, but many dismiss the problem as “only natural.” Natural it may be, but it also looks terrible in the home and may also cause damage to appliances and the plumbing system.
Once the hard water stains are ingrained, they are difficult to remove. So, what can you do about them?
Hard water cleaning solutions for the home
The following steps should help you tackle the problem of hard water stains in different areas of your home.
Gray or brown hard water stains on the toilet bowl are unsightly, especially when guests are over. To deal with these stains, try mixing distilled vinegar and borax and pouring it into the toilet bowl.
This should attack the mineral stains and allow you to scrub off the residue more easily with a toilet brush.
Again, distilled white vinegar is the answer to calcium spots on kitchen and bathroom surfaces after the water evaporates. Mix it with filtered or distilled water, pour it into a spray bottle, and spray it generously on the spots of residue. Leave it for about 15 minutes or more to work its magic before wiping it away.
If stubborn scum stains remain in the bathroom sinks and showers, try repeating the process by adding a little dish soap to the mixture in the spray bottle.
When faucets and showerheads are clogged with mineral residue, it can be stubborn and difficult to remove. This can start to affect performance, with water flow sometimes restricted.
To remove the hard water buildup, soak the shower head in a bowl of white vinegar or a heavy-duty multi-use cleaner for at least a few minutes. Then, brush or scrub away the buildup with a cloth. Repeat the process if the deposits have not all broken away or dissolved.
A good idea with a clogged faucet is to fill a plastic bag with the cleaning solution and use a zip tie or rubber band to hold it while the faucet soaks.
Hard water spots on dishes cleaned in the dishwasher are quite common. Not only is this unsightly but the hard water can cause problems for your dishwasher—so it needs regular cleaning with a gentle soap and a toothbrush.
Try filling a cup with white vinegar and placing it on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher to clean some of the mineral deposits in the machine. It will also clean away any mold or bacteria.
With other appliances, such as kettles and coffee makers, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to “descale” the appliance.
Other solutions for cleaning hard water buildup
The solutions outlined should help with the most common hard water residue problems in the home. Vinegar is effective because calcium is highly reactive to acids like vinegar.
However, surfaces like glass and plastic that have suffered from years of hard water buildup may never return to their past glory—even with multiple applications of your vinegar and soap solution. The buildup contains tiny mineral particles that, when brushed or wiped away, may scratch the surface.
You can try another couple of solutions if vinegar does not have the desired effect…
Commercial appliance cleaners
Hard water buildup can damage appliances and plumbing. If your homemade solution of vinegar and soap does not work its magic, you might like to try a commercial appliance cleaner. Most commercial solutions include acidic, abrasive, chlorine-based substances that aggressively attack the hard water buildup.
Rinse aid
To help get rid of hard water deposits on dishes and glassware, use a rinse aid. These products are often specifically formulated for hard water buildup, stains, and film, ensuring that the soap scum rinses off glasses and dishes more easily.
Longer-term preventative measures for hard water in your home
If you live in Calgary, you likely have some form of hard water damage in your home unless you have already taken steps to prevent hard water buildup. The signs are not too difficult to spot but then mineral deposits can also work “silently” in the background within pipes and appliances.
A more permanent solution for preventing hard water buildup is to soften the water in your entire home.
Water softeners or conditioners
Whole-home water softeners use an ion exchange process to remove hard water minerals from the water supply at the main water line—before being distributed around the home. They prevent spots and buildup but require maintenance because the salt pellets they use need replacing.
Water conditioners are other options but less suited to extremely hard water. They do not use any salt or electricity—and do not generate wastewater—so they are low maintenance and more eco-friendly but they’re not as powerful as softeners and are generally more expensive.
Installing a water softener is usually affordable and a relatively simple task for a qualified plumber.
If you are in Calgary, our licensed professional plumbers can help you resolve all common plumbing problems. Call Pete the Plumber at (403) 257-1766 to arrange a visit.
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For dependable home and business hard water solutions in and around the Calgary area, trust Pete the Plumber. Call (403) 257-1766 to schedule your service and keep your water soft and your plumbing running smoothly for years to come.