Month: October 2020

It’s been a while since we examined the impact of hard water, but here in West Texas, it’s a common problem. The lack of rain in the past year means mineral deposits aren’t being flushed out, and even more end up in the water that comes into our homes. In other posts, we’ve discussed some of the visible signs and side effects of hard water. In this post, we’ll focus on some of the unseen damage it can do to your pipes.

WHAT IS HARD WATER?

As a quick review – hard water has higher than normal mineral deposits, mainly calcium and magnesium. It’s not necessarily unhealthy, but it generally doesn’t taste very good and can leave stains in your sinks and bathtubs.

WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE

Stains from hard water happen when the mineral deposits are left behind following evaporation. When you see stains in your bathtub, they’re fairly easy to clean. But what about build-up in your water heater? Deposits there can reduce efficiency and cost you big time. Tankless water heaters aren’t immune either.

Limescale can build up in pipes and valves of appliances, and shorten their lifespan.

DOWN THE PIPE

Those same mineral deposits can end up in pipes that bring water to and from your home. This can restrict water flow, cause blockages, and even cause pipes to burst. Thankfully, modern materials like copper and PVC pipes do a better job of reducing corrosion caused by hard water. Older homes with galvanized pipes could definitely have issues with hard water. What’s worse is, if you do have a small leak, it could be a while before you notice – wasting water and costing you money in the meantime.

WHEN TO INSPECT

When you notice hard water (again, common in West Texas) it’s a good idea to have a professional check out the pipes. Our experts at City Plumbing can test the hardness of your water, flush out your water heater, check your appliances, and even inspect your pipes for corrosion or leaks.

WE’LL COME RUNNING

Besides offering inspections, City Plumbing also offers solutions – Reverse Osmosis systems and Water Softeners. To make an appointment, call us today at 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!

We talk about it all the time, and this post will remind you again: regularly changing out your air filters is the easiest, least expensive way to extend the life of your HVAC. The good news is that City Plumbing will give you a FREE 1” filter when we service your home with a Fall Clean & Check. (More on that later.) Let’s talk air filters!

A MASK FOR YOUR HOME

With the coronavirus upon us, face masks are practically a new fashion trend. But these masks offer the perfect analogy for your air filters. They essentially do the same thing, by keeping potentially harmful particles from continuing to circulate in your home.

When the existing air in your home is sucked through the filter, all that bad stuff gets caught. We’re talking about dust, hair, pet dander, dirt, even things causing bad odors. Naturally, the smaller the holes in the filter, the more it will catch. The now-filtered air is pumped back through your system, cooled or heated to your desired temperature, and then reintroduced to your home.

However, a filter, especially one that’s clogged with dirt and dust, makes your unit work harder! That’s because the system is working to pull air through the filter. Not only is that hard on your entire system, and may reduce its lifespan, it also costs you money heating or cooling your home!

So…. that’s why changing the filter regularly is so important.

TYPES OF AIR FILTERS

HEPA stands for “High Efficiency Particulate Air.” These air filters are made of micro-glass fibers and can catch even finer particles. Other filters are given a MERV rating to indicate their filtration rate. We write more about this in other posts. Be sure to evaluate the filter that is right for you.

WE’LL COME RUNNING

The experts at City Plumbing do a lot more than plumbing. That includes HVAC work. Call us today for our Fall Clean & Check. It’s a good idea to give your system a tune-up before switching from A/C to heat as we get into the cooler months. Make an appointment today at 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!