How Hard Water Affects Your Drains and Pipes

Hard water does more than spot your dishes. Over time, the minerals it carries build up inside your pipes and contribute to the slow drains many New Jersey homeowners live with.

Scale Builds Up Over Time

Hard water is high in calcium and magnesium. As it flows through your plumbing, those minerals deposit on pipe walls as scale, gradually narrowing the pipe — especially in older metal lines — and giving debris more to catch on.

Signs and Solutions

Chronically slow drains, reduced flow, and crusty buildup around fixtures are all signs. For drains and sewer lines, periodic cleaning (and descaling of old cast iron) restores flow. A whole-home approach may include water treatment to slow future buildup.