When most people think of a blocked pipe, they usually imagine something like a bunch of tissues clogging it. Or maybe a toothbrush. Or even a pair of sunglasses.
But believe it or not, your pipe can get blocked just from having water running through it.
That’s right. Hard water can be a real problem.
What Is Hard Water?
Water isn’t just H₂O. It’s a mixture.
It flows through rivers, underground springs, and across rocks. As it does, the water picks up minerals along the way. So for every glass of water, you’re likely also drinking some calcium, zinc and magnesium.
The more minerals water contains, the “harder” it is. Here in Queensland, many areas are known to have hard water.
To give you an idea:
- Soft water has less than 60mg of minerals per litre.
- Hard water ranges from about 100 to 500mg/L—a big difference.
So What’s the Problem?
You might be thinking, “Calcium in my water? Sounds healthy!”
Well, it’s not all perfect.
The issue is that when hard water rushes through your plumbing day after day, the minerals can start to build up inside your pipes. This build-up is called limescale.
Limescale starts as a thin layer, but over time, it thickens. It narrows the inside of your pipes, restricting the flow of water.
What Can Go Wrong?
Ok, that’s nice. But what does this mean practically? Let me show you;
Let’s say you’re running a bath for the kids. The water’s flowing fine, and then the phone rings.
You step away ‘just for a minute’.
One hour later, you return to find the bathroom floor soaked.
If your drainage system was working properly, a small overflow might happen, but the drain should keep it under control. But if the drain is clogged with limescale, water won’t flow out fast enough. You could be walking into a bathroom, which you might as well canoe in. And that’s when water damage becomes a real risk.
It’s kind of like cholesterol in your arteries. Too much build-up, and eventually the blood (or water) can’t pass.
In your body, this could lead to a heart attack. In plumbing, this can lead to a heart-ache when you see the flooded bathroom.
Other Issues Caused by Hard Water
Hard water doesn’t just mess with your pipes—it can cause problems with your taps and appliances too.
- Taps and aerators can get clogged with mineral deposits, making it harder to turn the handle or fully shut off the water.
- It can cause the valve seat (the part that prevents leaks in a tap) to corrode, leading to drips or puddles around your fixtures.
- Over time, the minerals can speed up corrosion, making pipes more likely to burst or leak.
Signs You Might Have Hard Water
Here are a few common warning signs:
- Smelly drains – The debris and build-up can start to smell.
- Gurgling sounds – Water struggling to flow around limescale can make odd noises.
- Slow drainage – If your sink or shower takes ages to drain, hard water may be to blame.
- Low water pressure – Mineral build-up narrows your pipes, so less water gets through.
- Soapy residue – Minerals react with soap to form a film that sticks to sinks and tubs.
- Visible deposits – Rust stains or chalky white build-up on taps is a typical sign of hard water. The extra minerals in the water speed-up the rusting process.
What’s the Fix?
The most effective way to deal with hard water is by installing a water softener.
These systems remove calcium and magnesium from your water, often replacing them with sodium. This prevents the minerals from sticking to your pipes and causing limescale.
Water softeners can be installed just at a specific source, like your kitchen sink, or they can treat all the water entering your home.
Need Help?
If you’re dealing with slow drains or constant clogs, hard water might be the cause. Alternatively, it could be something else entirely. But either way, we can help.
Fill out the form on our website for a free quote. Even if you just have questions, we’d be more than happy to chat.
Let’s make your plumbing something your proud of!
Plumbers Rockhampton 
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