Hard water is a common problem for the North Metro suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Department of Energy estimates it costs the average household $800 annually in various ways. Let's explore what causes it, where those costs come from, and what you can do about it.

Hard Water Causes

Water hardness refers primarily to the amount of calcium and magnesium in water. Various other metals can contribute to it as well. The general classification for hard water reflects the presence of these compounds in parts per million (ppm):

  • Soft: 0-60 ppm
  • Moderately hard: 61-120 ppm
  • Hard: 121-180 ppm
  • Very or extremely hard: greater than 180 ppm

You may also see water hardness indicated as milligrams per liter (mg/L). For the discussion of water hardness, ppm and mg/L values are interchangeable. Hard water is a natural occurrence. This is because minerals dissolve into the water as it percolates through soil and rock. A substantial amount of minerals can dissolve into water, in particular, when it percolates through limestone, chalk, and gypsum deposits. The geography of Minnesota is rich in both limestone and dolomite. Dolomitic limestone is a particularly hardy form of limestone that's enriched by the abundant dolomite and magnesium. Because of this, a large percentage of homes in the state have hard water. In fact, the average water hardness in Minnesota is 192 ppm, which puts it in the very hard to extremely hard range. If your home has well water, there's a high chance you have very hard water. You can have hard water even if you access a municipal supply. That's because the municipal water utilities get most of their water from local aquifers. That said, some cities in North Metro get softened water from a treatment plant. In that case, you may have soft or moderately hard water.

The Effects of Hard Water

Hard water can impact your home and household in various ways. Let's look at the effects that make the biggest difference when it comes to your health, comfort, and costs.

Pipes

Hard water leaves behind scale deposits in your pipes. The layers that accumulate are microscopically thin at first, but they continue to build up over time. As they do, the diameter of the pipe shrinks, and water pressure increases. Scale also promotes corrosion in metal pipes.

Fixtures

Scale builds up in fixtures, such as faucets and showerheads, as well. The scale can affect water pressure and quality. You'll find that you have to soak your aerators and showerheads in vinegar more often. The scale will also lead to the deterioration of O-rings and other seals and likely force you to replace your fixtures more frequently.

Drains

Drain pipes and sewer lines can accumulate scale as well. The scale also causes a chemical reaction with detergents to create soap scum. The scum hardens with the scale and creates texture within the pipe. That makes it much more likely a drain will clog due to grease and other food items. High-pressure drain and sewer cleaning can clear such accumulations.

Water Heaters and Other Appliances

Tank water heaters have sacrificial anode rods specifically because they are susceptible to hard water. Those rods attract the minerals through electrolysis. Most manufacturers recommend annual flushing as well. For tankless systems, you need to descale them regularly. Even with good maintenance, hard water can build up in your water heater. It increases pressure and acts like an insulator, which decreases energy efficiency. It also promotes corrosion of the inner tank walls and other components, including valves. Hard water affects hot water and steam boilers similarly. It also affects washing machines, dishwashers, and whole-house humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

Cooking

Hard water is generally safe to ingest, but it can cause problems in the kitchen. It can change the taste and texture of both nonalcoholic and alcoholic mixed drinks. When cooking, heat can cause a chemical reaction with the calcium and make your recipes unpredictable.

Showering

Minerals in your water coat both your hair and skin. That can make you feel less clean than you otherwise would. It can clog your skin pores and exacerbate eczema and other skin conditions. Hard water can also cause bad hair days and result in split ends and more brittle hair.

Solutions for Water Hardness

Households dealing with hard water have a wide range of solutions to choose from. Which is best for your home depends most on the level of water hardness.

Template-Assisted Crystallization

Template-assisted crystallization (TAC) involves changing the calcium carbonate chemically. Electrically charging the calcium is a common approach to this. TAC doesn't remove the hardness from the water, but it does reduce limescale formation by between 90% and 99%. This approach is a common choice for local devices that protect appliances.

Salt-Based Water Softening

Salt-free water softening is another name for TAC. Salt-based water softening involves removing the calcium in the water by exchanging it with salt. Most systems for homes use sodium chloride. Potassium chloride is a more expensive alternative. Sodium chloride does have some environmental impact, whereas potassium chloride does not. Some households also choose potassium chloride because someone in the family has to monitor salt intake carefully.

Reverse Osmosis

A reverse osmosis (RO) system is a type of water filter. RO systems use high pressure to reverse the natural process of osmosis, thereby forcing water through a semipermeable membrane. That process eliminates over 99% of all substances in the water, including calcium. The problem with RO is that it's a relatively slow process. It's typically not practical to have an RO system large enough to meet the total water needs of a household. Many households instead use them to feed various endpoints, such as faucets, refrigerators, and coffeemakers.

Anti-Scale Devices

Anti-scale devices use TAC to protect appliances. If you have moderately hard water, connecting an anti-scale device to your water heater can make a noticeable difference. The reduced scale buildup can lower operating costs, reduce maintenance requirements, and extend the unit's lifespan.

Whole-House Water Softeners

Most households in North Metro that have hard water will want to install a whole-house water softener. It's a point-of-entry system that we'd install between the water main and your home's plumbing. That approach lets the system remove most of the calcium in your water before it enters your home. A water softener will protect all pipes, fixtures, and water-using appliances. It will also improve showering and the water you drink and cook with. These systems use tanks filled with salt-saturated resin beads. As the water percolates through the beads, the calcium exchanges with the salt. Due to this approach, a water softener will need to recharge the beads once they're exhausted. Single-tank systems generally have to go offline for an hour or two to recharge. Dual-tank systems can recharge the exhausted tank while the other tank continues to soften the water. Both system types require salt refills.

Hard Water Solutions in North Metro Minneapolis

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® of North Metro has proudly served the suburbs of Minneapolis since 1989. We're located in North Branch, MN, and our team can help you overcome your hard water challenges. Our plumbers perform water testing for hardness and impurities. We also install and service all types of water-softening systems for the home. To learn more about your options, contact us today to schedule a water test and in-home consultation.