Why it matters to the pipes
Hardness is a measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium. Toronto's water is generally described as moderately hard, and while it poses no health concern, those minerals settle out when water is heated or evaporates. The result is white crust on taps and shower glass, spotty dishes, and, less visibly, scale inside water heaters, kettles, dishwashers and tankless heat exchangers. Over years, scale reduces efficiency and shortens the life of appliances.
The effect is easy to underestimate. A thin layer of scale on a heating element or heat exchanger acts like insulation, so more energy is needed to heat the same water. Aerators clog and pressure seems to drop at a single tap. Dishwasher spray arms lose their reach. None of this happens overnight, which is why it often goes unnoticed until an appliance fails earlier than expected. Homes with older galvanized pipes suffer twice over, since scale and rust together narrow the bore.
Have to hand
- A flashlight and a bucket
- Old towels and a pair of gloves
- The way to the main valve
Put the tools down if
- Water will not stop at the valve
- Sewage rises in a floor drain
- You smell gas near the heater
The steps, in order
A sensible approach starts small and moves on only if needed.
- Know your number. Test strips from a hardware store, or a water test by a plumber, give a hardness reading so any equipment can be sized correctly.
- Clean fixtures regularly. Soak aerators and shower heads in a bowl of plain vinegar for an hour so the crust lifts, then rinse them.
- Flush the water heater. An annual draw-off of a pail or two from the tank carries out the loose grit. Our guide to flushing a water heater explains the steps.
- Descale tankless units. On-demand heaters need periodic descaling with a pump and solution through the service valves.
- Consider a softener. If scale is a constant nuisance, a whole-house softener removes most of the hardness. Our water softener installation page describes the work.
Common missteps
- Scrubbing chrome or glass with abrasive pads, which scratches surfaces and lets scale grip harder.
- Buying a softener without knowing your water's hardness or household use.
- Assuming a filter jug softens water. Most only improve taste and remove chlorine.
- Neglecting a tankless heater until it throws an error code.
- Using harsh acid descalers on finishes the manufacturer says to clean only with mild soap.
When to ring for help
A rumbling tank, reduced hot water output, or error codes on a tankless unit suggest scale has built up beyond what simple cleaning will remove. If you are installing a tankless water heater, plan for isolation valves so it can be descaled easily.
Buyers looking at older homes may also find heavy scale in galvanized piping; the older-house buyer notes say what to check. To discuss your options, call (365) 816-2905.