What hardness does
- Leaves white scale on taps, shower heads and glass
- Builds up inside kettles and water heaters
- Reduces soap lather
- Shortens the life of tankless heaters without descaling
Simple fixes
- Soak aerators and shower heads in vinegar.
- Wipe glass shower doors after use.
- Flush tank heaters yearly and descale tankless units.
- Use a rinse aid in the dishwasher.
When a softener makes sense
If scale is a constant fight, a softener on the main line protects everything downstream. Many homes with tankless heaters and glass showers find it worthwhile.
Checking your water
The Region of Peel publishes water quality reports. You can also buy a simple hardness test kit.
Is it the water or the fixture?
Not every crusty tap means your water is unusually hard. Older chrome fixtures with worn finishes collect scale more readily than new ones. If one bathroom builds up scale fast while another stays clear, the difference may be the fixtures or how often each is used. Clean both the same way for a month before deciding a softener is needed.
Rather hand it over? Our plumbers handle sump pump installation and whole-home repiping along with everything else on our residential plumbing list.