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When Does a Home Need a Water Softener?

Understanding Hard Water 

Water is called the universal solvent. What does that mean, exactly? It means that water can dissolve most things it comes into contact with. When water has dissolved a substance, that substance is carried around in the water until it is chemically removed or the water is distilled. This has huge implications for drinking water piped into homes daily. 

In nature, water is distilled as it evaporates into the atmosphere to form clouds. As the vapor condenses and forms rain, it picks up substances it comes into contact with. Once rain hits the ground, it picks up minerals and runs off to a river or lake that may serve as a municipal water supply. 

In many areas, the mineral profile of the soil allows water to pick up copious amounts of calcium and magnesium. These minerals are dissolved in water to a great extent that they can interfere with some aspects of modern plumbing. Here is a quick discussion about dealing with hard water by installing water softeners. 

How Do Water Softeners Work? 

water softenerThe solvent qualities of water are one of the things that can make it so useful. When water is saturated with dissolved minerals, it can have a hard time dissolving things like treatment chemicals or anything intended to be washed off a surface. Removing hardness minerals from water allows water to behave better in useful ways. 

To accomplish this, water softeners pull minerals out of residential water. Water softeners are installed at the service entrance where water lines enter the home. All of the water in the home is flushed across a bed of resin that captures ions. Periodically, the resin bed is flushed with a heavy brine to remove ions and refresh the resin bed. This process is automatic and goes on without any intervention from the owner. 

Signs Hard Water Is Present 

hard waterMost people may be uninterested in water softeners because they believe water is water. Most often, these people don't recognize the signs of hard water or understand how helpful softened water can be. Some of the signs that a water softener can be beneficial for a home are: 

  • Itchy, dry skin and hair
  • Poor-tasting water
  • Soap residue left on hair, skin, and dishes
  • Water spots on dishes and spotted glasses 
  • Dull, faded clothing with residual dirt and odors 
  • Crusty, white buildup on plumbing fixtures and appliances 

How Can Whole-Home Water Softeners Help? 

Water softeners can improve the water quality in a home, promoting health and prolonging the life of plumbing and appliances. When soft water is used to bathe, soap and grime are more easily dissolved and washed away. This results in healthier skin and hair. Additionally, soft water tastes better, promoting hydration. 

Water softeners are one of the best ways to protect plumbing. First, they remove the minerals that can form a scale on piping that can interfere with water pressure and corrode appliances faster, like the water heater. This reduces plumbing repair costs and prevents expensive water heaters' premature failure. 

About A&A Plumbing

A&A Plumbing can help every home achieve more healthy and helpful water. Water softener and water treatment options help owners protect their water supply. Call today for comprehensive plumbing service in San Antonio, TX. 

FAQs for Dealing with Slab Leaks

What is a Slab Leak? 

In most homes in the area, the foundation is a large block of concrete called a ‘slab.’ The materials that make up a home weigh a lot, not to mention the weight of the belongings inside a home. That means the home should be thoroughly supported to carry the weight of the building materials and everything inside a finished home. Engineers have figured out that monolithic concrete slabs are the best way to carry the load. 

The main problem with building a home on a poured slab is that the most effective way to route utilities around the home is to bury them in the ground before the slab is poured. Once the pipes are underground and cased in concrete, they are relatively safe. However, accessing these pipes when slab leaks arise can be a tricky problem. 

How to Spot the Signs of Slab Leaks 

leakSince pipes are encased in concrete, their leaks can be particularly tricky to spot. Water will likely pop up anywhere because it has limited options to relieve the building pressure. However, there are always signs of slab leaks, allowing homeowners to recognize the problem and respond quickly. Here are the most common signs of slab leaks. 

  • Hissing or gurgling noises with an undetermined source
  • High water bills
  • Clean water leaking out along the edge of a foundation
  • Wet or moist floors
  • Mold problems or associated odors

Responding to slab leaks at the first sign of trouble is important to minimizing damage. Read on to learn the dangers that slab leaks pose. 

Common Dangers of Slab Leaks 

Slab leaks are dangerous because they affect the very foundation of a home. This can lead to all sorts of very expensive problems. In the worst case, water can undermine soil from underneath the slab. This can lead to voids where the concrete has no support. Without repairs, the slab can crack and fail. 

Less serious cases can involve several scenarios that are still pretty serious. The excess moisture can bolster mold growth and damage walls and flooring if water absorbs upwards through the slab. Apart from the repair process, mold remediation will need to be contracted, and floors and walls replaced. 

How Do Professionals Deal with Slab Leaks 

leakFinding the right professionals to deal with slab leaks can be the difference between a quick repair and a major upset. Experts jackhammer the slab out of the way to access piping and dig away soil to expose the pipe. Repairs will be made then the pipe will be reburied in sand before more concrete is poured. Because these repairs are invasive, finding a plumbing contractor with experience is important. 

The right plumbing contractor will advertise their expertise in slab leaks. They often will have specialized tools for pinpointing the source of leaks before they start jackhammering the slab. This makes them more accurate, so they will minimize the secondary repairs that must be made after repairing the pipe. 

About A&A Plumbing

A&A Plumbing is a full-service plumbing contractor. Their technicians handle anything from clogged drains to serious below-foundation repairs. Call today for slab leak repair in San Antonio, TX. 

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Repiping: When It Is Necessary

Signs That Home Needs Repiping Services

A home plumbing system cannot last forever, but the decision to repipe is never easy. It can be expensive and invasive, but repiping a house may be necessary. There may be times when a homeowner can do one part of their home at a time, and there are also ways to perform repiping minimally invasively. Suppose a homeowner wants more information on methods. In that case, they should contact a reputable plumbing company, but if they are interested in signs that indicate a need to repipe, they should read on.

The Pipes Are Falling Apart: Leaks and Constant Need for Repair

Repiping a house may seem like an extreme measure, which it undoubtedly is, but it can make daily living much more convenient if a household encounters certain problems with its plumbing system. A leaking pipe may be an isolated incident. Still, if a house has to have several leaking pipes repaired over a fairly short period (say months) then it is probably time to consider replacing the pipes. This constant need for repair means that pipes are losing their ability to function properly and cannot be considered reliable. Replacing the pipes can save money by remedying the cause of constant repairs and can lower water bills due to the lack of leaks.

Water Pressure Problems

shower
Low water pressure can plague a home for many reasons. Some of them have more to do with the water supply than the home’s piping, but there are usually solutions. If the pump fails, a home that gets its water supply from a well can have water pressure issues. People with municipal water are likely to get consistent service unless there is a problem with their pipes. Reasons for low water pressure can include the following:

  • Leaking Pipes: A supply line leak can lower the home's water pressure. A leak near a faucet can cause issues for that particular outlet.
  • Hard Water Scale: A buildup of hard water deposits, called scale, can inhibit the water flow just as cholesterol in the arteries inhibits blood flow.
  • Pipe Corrosion: Pipes that have begun to corrode can fill up with flakes of rust and are also prone to leaks. 

These are the three major reasons for low water pressure, and it is easy to see why repiping might be necessary in each case.

A Change in Water Color or Smell

sink

Another issue that indicates a need for repiping is a change in the color or smell of a home's water. If it has always smelled sulfurous, then there is likely not a problem, but if it begins to smell sulfurous with no explanation, then there may be an issue. Pipe corrosion can be a big part of this problem. Pipe corrosion can cause:

  • A metallic smell or taste
  • A rusty color
  • Yellowish water
  • Brownish water

Homeowners should call a plumbing professional to check their pipes if any of these symptoms occur suddenly.

About A&A Plumbing

A&A Plumbing prides itself on its excellent service and personal attention to customers. The company serves the people of San Antonio, TX, and the surrounding communities. Call today for plumbing service!

Distribution Links +

Repiping: When It Is Necessary

Signs That Home Needs Repiping Services

A home plumbing system cannot last forever, but the decision to repipe is never easy. It can be expensive and invasive, but repiping a house may be necessary. There may be times when a homeowner can do one part of their home at a time, and there are also ways to perform repiping minimally invasively. Suppose a homeowner wants more information on methods. In that case, they should contact a reputable plumbing company, but if they are interested in signs that indicate a need to repipe, they should read on.

The Pipes Are Falling Apart: Leaks and Constant Need for Repair

Repiping a house may seem like an extreme measure, which it undoubtedly is, but it can make daily living much more convenient if a household encounters certain problems with its plumbing system. A leaking pipe may be an isolated incident. Still, if a house has to have several leaking pipes repaired over a fairly short period (say months) then it is probably time to consider replacing the pipes. This constant need for repair means that pipes are losing their ability to function properly and cannot be considered reliable. Replacing the pipes can save money by remedying the cause of constant repairs and can lower water bills due to the lack of leaks.

Water Pressure Problems

shower
Low water pressure can plague a home for many reasons. Some of them have more to do with the water supply than the home’s piping, but there are usually solutions. If the pump fails, a home that gets its water supply from a well can have water pressure issues. People with municipal water are likely to get consistent service unless there is a problem with their pipes. Reasons for low water pressure can include the following:

  • Leaking Pipes: A supply line leak can lower the home's water pressure. A leak near a faucet can cause issues for that particular outlet.
  • Hard Water Scale: A buildup of hard water deposits, called scale, can inhibit the water flow just as cholesterol in the arteries inhibits blood flow.
  • Pipe Corrosion: Pipes that have begun to corrode can fill up with flakes of rust and are also prone to leaks. 

These are the three major reasons for low water pressure, and it is easy to see why repiping might be necessary in each case.

A Change in Water Color or Smell

sink

Another issue that indicates a need for repiping is a change in the color or smell of a home's water. If it has always smelled sulfurous, then there is likely not a problem, but if it begins to smell sulfurous with no explanation, then there may be an issue. Pipe corrosion can be a big part of this problem. Pipe corrosion can cause:

  • A metallic smell or taste
  • A rusty color
  • Yellowish water
  • Brownish water

Homeowners should call a plumbing professional to check their pipes if any of these symptoms occur suddenly.

About A&A Plumbing

A&A Plumbing prides itself on its excellent service and personal attention to customers. The company serves the people of San Antonio, TX, and the surrounding communities. Call today for plumbing service!

Distribution Links +

Repiping: When It Is Necessary

Signs That Home Needs Repiping Services

A home plumbing system cannot last forever, but the decision to repipe is never easy. It can be expensive and invasive, but repiping a house may be necessary. There may be times when a homeowner can do one part of their home at a time, and there are also ways to perform repiping minimally invasively. Suppose a homeowner wants more information on methods. In that case, they should contact a reputable plumbing company, but if they are interested in signs that indicate a need to repipe, they should read on.

The Pipes Are Falling Apart: Leaks and Constant Need for Repair

Repiping a house may seem like an extreme measure, which it undoubtedly is, but it can make daily living much more convenient if a household encounters certain problems with its plumbing system. A leaking pipe may be an isolated incident. Still, if a house has to have several leaking pipes repaired over a fairly short period (say months) then it is probably time to consider replacing the pipes. This constant need for repair means that pipes are losing their ability to function properly and cannot be considered reliable. Replacing the pipes can save money by remedying the cause of constant repairs and can lower water bills due to the lack of leaks.

Water Pressure Problems

shower
Low water pressure can plague a home for many reasons. Some of them have more to do with the water supply than the home’s piping, but there are usually solutions. If the pump fails, a home that gets its water supply from a well can have water pressure issues. People with municipal water are likely to get consistent service unless there is a problem with their pipes. Reasons for low water pressure can include the following:

  • Leaking Pipes: A supply line leak can lower the home's water pressure. A leak near a faucet can cause issues for that particular outlet.
  • Hard Water Scale: A buildup of hard water deposits, called scale, can inhibit the water flow just as cholesterol in the arteries inhibits blood flow.
  • Pipe Corrosion: Pipes that have begun to corrode can fill up with flakes of rust and are also prone to leaks. 

These are the three major reasons for low water pressure, and it is easy to see why repiping might be necessary in each case.

A Change in Water Color or Smell

sink

Another issue that indicates a need for repiping is a change in the color or smell of a home's water. If it has always smelled sulfurous, then there is likely not a problem, but if it begins to smell sulfurous with no explanation, then there may be an issue. Pipe corrosion can be a big part of this problem. Pipe corrosion can cause:

  • A metallic smell or taste
  • A rusty color
  • Yellowish water
  • Brownish water

Homeowners should call a plumbing professional to check their pipes if any of these symptoms occur suddenly.

About A&A Plumbing

A&A Plumbing prides itself on its excellent service and personal attention to customers. The company serves the people of San Antonio, TX, and the surrounding communities. Call today for plumbing service!

Distribution Links +