What’s in Your Water?

 What’s that? Dripping? Another faucet fixture and more pipes to replace? How much?! I found out the hard way (no pun intended), about the effects hard water has on plumbing here in Santa Clarita.
Hard water is created by naturally occurring minerals present along with chlorine that give plumbers a lot of business and homeowners a screaming depleted checking account.
The content of our water is why more homeowners, are turning to water filtration systems. Since salt-based water filter systems are not allowed in SCV, other popular alternatives are being used such as simple countertop charcoal filtered pitchers to full house servicing systems such as Halo (WQA certified) or Life Source, which offer maintenance free water softening/de-scaling and purification filtration options.
What’s the difference? Some conditioners leave the minerals in the water, but are separated so they won’t adhere to each other. Purification/filtration systems are supposed to greatly reduce the chlorine and other contaminants. Reverse osmosis systems (that can be installed under your kitchen sink) are supposed to remove contaminants and minerals such as Halo RO-6, which can also add the minerals back and balance the PH of the water as well, leaving contaminants down the drain.
According to Shellback Plumbing & Drain owner, Gary Borg, mineral deposits (calcium combined with magnesium) are not the only culprits wreaking havoc with plumbing. The general overall quality of the water is a considerable factor such as the amount of chlorine. It’s the minerals that stick to each other, especially when hot chlorinated or chloramine water is used that cause scale/mineral (calcium carbonate) buildup. This can cause plumbing to corrode and eventually leak (not to mention bad for your skin and hair). It appears water does not tend to clog copper pipes, but it will to galvanized and steel fixtures.
Kathie Martin from Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency recommends general maintenance on hot water heaters, including draining it periodically. To help dissolve calcium carbonate buildup, run vinegar through your dishwasher or washing machine on an empty cycle.
For those who want extra assurance regarding what’s in your water, be proactive. Glen Blavet founder and CEO of Halo Water Systems boils it down, “It’s not just the hard water, it’s the water quality in general.” Blavet recommends people bathe and drink filtered water to avoid contaminants and carcinogens. “You can be a filtration system or buy one.”
I’ll drink to that!