People tend to focus on the more obvious effects of hard water. Maybe your dishes are spotted or cloudy when they come out of the dishwasher. It might affect the pressure at some fixtures. These are real problems, but the impact on appliances like dishwashers and water heaters can be worse. How does hard water damage your home appliances? Read on to find out.

How Does Hard Water Damage Your Home Appliances?

Inhibiting Water Flow

Scale can build up to inhibit the flow of water. It can build up in the lines that lead to or from your water heater or dishwasher. Water not flowing as it should can impact the appliance’s performance. Dishwashers also have internal lines, filters, and water outlets. Scale can quickly build up to clog these parts of a dishwasher.

Stress on Water Lines

It isn’t just about how scale can inhibit water flow when it builds up in lines or outlets. When the flow is restricted, it can put more pressure on the lines and fittings. With added pressure on the lines, there can be an increased risk of one of these parts leaking or wearing out. In many cases, you can’t even repair this type of damage.

Reducing Efficiency

Hard water will also make these appliances less efficient. Your home will end up wasting more water and energy. 

A dishwasher can mean longer cycles, more detergent, and higher water consumption. With a water heater, the buildup of scale in the tank can almost act as an insulator. It will have to heat the mineral buildup as well as the water. The reduced efficiency will show up on your utility bills over time.

Appliances Work Harder

Hard water will force appliances to work harder for results that are usually worse than soft water. For example, your dishwasher must work longer and harder to clean dishes. Beyond being wasteful, the harder work will shorten the operating life of the appliances.

Causing Parts to Wear Out

Along with clogging lines, mineral content can cause various parts to wear out faster. As different parts come in contact with hard water, the minerals will build up in and on various components. It can cause parts like rubber gaskets to wear out early. Hard water can also accelerate the corrosion of some parts. Even if you can get the parts replaced or repaired, it will add to the costs of using the appliance.

Solving Your Hard Water Problems

Red Rock Water Systems is ready to help you solve your hard water problems. Our water softeners can remove mineral content from water to protect your appliances. Reach out to our team to get a free estimate.

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