Symptoms of Hard Water

One of the most obvious signs that you have hard water in your home is the development of a film on your bathtub or shower, as well as on your faucets. This is a sign that the minerals in hard water have accumulated on the surfaces and fixtures of your showers and sinks long after the water is gone. While this may seem visually unappealing, keep in mind that the very same thing may be happening within your pipes. Eventually this can serious reduce the flow of water throughout the system, negatively impact the integrity of your pipes, and lead to much more serious issues. If you find that it is difficult to get soap to foam or to rinse products out of your hair, hard water may be to blame. You may also notice that there is a filmy feel to your skin after bathing. Contact a professional plumber at once if you discover such symptoms in your home.

Treating Hard Water

If hard water is a persistent problem in your home, then you really need to contact a professional plumber to resolve the problem. There are a few reasons for this. First of all, this is the only way to ensure with certainty that hard water is indeed what you are dealing with. Knowing precisely what you are up against is key in finding the right solution for your water quality issues. If it is indeed hard water, you’ll want more than a point–of–use water filter. A whole house water softener will benefit you much more, as the water coming from all of your faucets and fixtures, such as those to your washing machine, dishwasher and other appliances will all be treated. There are a few different water softener systems available, the most popular method being the exchange of calcium and magnesium ions are exchanged for sodium ions. To learn more about the ways in which you can treat hard water, or to schedule your water softener installation service, contact a qualified, licensed plumber. We are happy to answer any further questions you may have.

What to Do Upon Discovering a Plumbing Emergency

Your plumbing system is one of the greatest luxuries of the modern home. However, it is important to keep in mind the fact that no plumbing system is perfect. That is why it is so beneficial to understand the proper course of action in the event of a plumbing emergency. It is easy to get flustered in such a situation, but keeping your cool and following the advice that we have for you today can really help to minimize the problems caused by your plumbing emergency. If you have any further questions about what to do when your plumbing system springs a leak or your toilet is overflowing, or you just want to learn more about how to prevent such problems, contact a local plumbing expert today.

Of all the plumbing problems that homeowners face, the most common is probably the overflowing toilet. While "emergency" may sound like a bit of an exaggeration in this instance, it is important to remember that water damage from an overflowing toilet can be substantial, and the cleanup in such situations can be quite unpleasant. This is precisely why the sight of that water rising towards the top of the bowl can cause such frustration. If you notice that your toilet is threatening to overflow, you may be able to slow the rising tide by turning on the cold water in your bathtub or nearby sink. This can give you the time you need to clear any obstruction from the toilet. You should also shut off the water supply, which is usually located near the base of the toilet.

In the event of any plumbing emergency, overflowing toilets included, you should shut off the main water valve as soon as possible. But before you ever encounter a plumbing emergency, you should locate this valve and share its location with every member of the household. That way, everyone will be prepared if your plumbing system fails to work properly.

Water leaks are also very common plumbing problems, and they can lead to a lot of damage. Not all water leaks are immediately obvious, so any warning signs, such as decreased water pressure or spiking water bills, should be investigated immediately. If you spring an emergency type water leak, shut off the main water valve. If it is hot water leaking, make sure that you kill the electricity to your water heater. If the tank drains and the system continues to generate heat, it can result in serious damages.

Hopefully you won’t run into many plumbing emergencies in your home. If you do, we hope that these tips are helpful. One last tip for the road: never try to service your plumbing system on your own. Once you have the situation under control, call in a professional plumber to get the repair services you need completed properly. Attempting to repair your plumbing system yourself is far more likely to result in further problems than a dependable solution.