If you live in Burley or anywhere in the Magic Valley, you deal with it every day. You pull your glasses out of the dishwasher, and they are covered in cloudy white spots. You scrub your shower doors, but that chalky film comes back a week later. And your skin feels dry and itchy right after a shower.
We often joke about our “hard water,” but the reality is that the high mineral content in our local water supply is doing serious damage to your home’s plumbing system. At Sunrise Plumbing, we see the expensive aftermath of hard water all the time.
What is Hard Water, Exactly?
Hard water is water that has high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium. While it isn’t dangerous to drink, it is brutal on your pipes. When this water dries or is heated up, those minerals are left behind as a rock-hard residue called “scale.”
The 3 Hidden Costs of Hard Water
1. It Kills Your Appliances
Your dishwasher, washing machine, and water heater all rely on water to function. When scale builds up inside the pumps, hoses, and heating elements, these appliances have to work twice as hard to do their job. This wears them out years before their time. In Burley, we often see water heaters that should last 12 years fail in just 6 or 7 due to scale buildup.
2. It Clogs Your Pipes and Faucets
Have you ever noticed your showerhead spraying in weird directions? That is scale blocking the tiny nozzles. Inside your pipes, that same scale is slowly narrowing the opening, reducing your water pressure over time—kind of like a clogged artery.
3. It’s Hard on Your Wallet
Because hard water prevents soap from lathering correctly, you end up using way more laundry detergent, shampoo, and dish soap to get things clean. It might seem small, but over a year, you are literally pouring money down the drain.
The Solution: Whole-Home Water Softening
You don’t have to live with the scrub brush in your hand. Installing a whole-home water softener is the single best way to protect your plumbing investment.
A softener removes the calcium and magnesium before the water ever touches your taps. The benefits are instant:
- Spot-free dishes right out of the dishwasher.
- Softer skin and hair that doesn’t feel dried out.
- Longer-lasting appliances and efficient water heaters.
- Cleaner clothes that are brighter and softer.
Ready to ditch the scale? We can test your water hardness and recommend the perfect system for your home size. Call Sunrise Plumbing at +1 208-312-0041 to discuss your options today.