It can be challenging to know whether your plumbing system pipes need repairing or replacing. A plumber can give you professional insight, but there are signs you’ll notice along the way that could indicate which may be the better option. Consider the following factors when making your decision.

Frequent Plumbing System Repairs

Your plumbing system will need repairs every once in a while, but it’s a problem when the repairs become frequent. Not only does this cause you unnecessary frustration and stress, but each plumbing appointment means additional expenses.

Compare the price of replacing all the piping in your home to how much each visit (approximately) is costing you and how much they could total in the future if you keep going at the current repair pace. Once plumbing repairs become frequent, they’ll likely continue. Whole-home repiping means you pay an upfront cost but likely won’t have to pay for a repair appointment for some time.

The Age of the Pipes

Plumbing pipes typically last 50 – 100 years, depending on what they’re made of, how often they’re used, and how well they’re maintained. If it’s been approximately 50 years, you may want to consider replacing the pipes depending on their material and current condition. This can be an especially good idea if you’re selling your home soon, as a new plumbing system can be an appealing selling point for potential homebuyers.

Your Water Bill Keeps Going Up

As a homeowner, you know what your average water bill should be each month. If you’re a new homeowner, you can easily contact the utility company to ask them the approximate averages. A water bill that’s increasing for what seems like no reason means there’s an issue going on with your plumbing pipes, such as a leak you haven’t spotted yet or interior blockages limiting your water pressure. Expect higher-than-normal water expenses the longer the problems persist.

The Condition of the Pipes

While you can get some idea of the condition of your pipes by looking at their exterior, such as if you see corrosion, a plumber is the best person to tell you about the condition of your pipes. They can get a clear interior view and inform you of their findings.

Don’t wait until a major issue happens with your plumbing pipes that forces your hand. Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for expert recommendations and help with deciding whether your pipes need to be replaced or repaired in Gainesville, Florida. Call today for standard or emergency plumbing pipe assistance.

Your water softener treats hard water by removing harsh minerals, which provides numerous benefits. To accomplish its task, it needs salt. How often do you have to add salt to your water softener? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. That’s because several factors impact the rate that a water softener uses salt.

Fortunately, it’s easy to learn how to check when your machine needs salt. Exploring some water softener basics can also help you keep your machine functioning smoothly. The experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Gainesville, FL, are happy to offer information. If you need more assistance, their water softener services can provide the ideal solution.

Check to See if Your Water Softener Needs Salt

Checking to see if your water softener needs salt is quick and easy. It should generally be done twice a month. Here’s how to accomplish this task:

• Lift the cover of the machine’s brine tank so that you can look inside.
• Consider what you see carefully.
• If the salt is dry and filling just over half the tank, you do not need to take any action.
• If the salt is dry but fills less than half the tank, add enough salt to bring the level to just over half a tank.
• If the salt is wet and below the water line, add enough salt to bring the level to just over half a tank.

Know When to Say When While You’re Adding Salt

When adding salt to your water softener, it can be tempting to tip a little extra in. After all, wouldn’t adding more salt now mean that you can go longer before you need to top up the tank? This isn’t a good strategy.

It is possible to add too much salt to your water conditioner. In fact, experts agree it’s best not to fill the tank more than a little over halfway. Too much salt can cause maintenance issues. It can also make it more difficult to deal with any salt bridges that may develop.

Beware the Bridge

Does it seem like the salt level in your water softener hasn’t changed in weeks? This could indicate a problem called a salt bridge. A salt bridge is a layer of hardened salt that spans the entire diameter of the brine tank. It prevents the water at the bottom of the tank from rising up to reach the loose salt at the top of the tank during the regeneration cycle. It prevents your water softener from working properly.

If a salt bridge forms, a visual check of your brine tank may look fine. In fact, it may look fine for several checks. When should you suspect a problem? If you notice the tank’s salt level remains unchanged for a few weeks or begin to see signs of hard water, consider investigating. Use a broom handle to gently stir through the loose salt to see if you find a hard layer of salt. If you do, use a scoop to move the loose salt to a clean container. Then, use the broom handle to carefully break up the salt bridge. Pull out the chunks. Finally, return the loose salt. If you aren’t comfortable handling the task or need assistance, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.

Learn Red Flags for Hard Water

Learning the signs of hard water can help you spot an issue with your water softener, including a need for more salt. As Forbes reports, common red flags for hard water include:

• Soap scum
• Skin issues caused by poor lathering and residues left behind
• Hair damage caused by poor sudsing and poor rinsing
• Mineral buildup inside pipes and appliances
• Mineral and scale buildup on fixtures and appliances
• Plumbing issues
• Appliance troubles

Recognize Factors That Impact Salt Usage

Several factors impact how quickly your water softener uses salt. These include:

• The hardness of your water
• The water usage in your home
• The type of water softener
• The size of your brine tank
• The age of your water softener

Newer water softeners are generally more efficient. Most operate with demand-initiated cycles. Instead of following a regularly set cycle, they regenerate, and use salt, only when necessary. Because they’re more efficient, you may only need to add salt every six to eight weeks. They may also come with features like low salt indicators or remote alerts for low salt. However, it’s still wise to check these machines every few weeks.

A water softener enhances your comfort and protects your investment in your home, so it’s smart to be ready to keep it functioning smoothly. Is your water softener more than 10 years old? You may want to update it for a more efficient model with features that will help you keep it running well. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Gainesville, FL, can help you with water softener installations and issues. When you need a plumbing expert, contact our team today.

When water is delivered to your home, it might contain a certain amount of dissolved minerals, which include calcium and magnesium. If these minerals are present in your home’s water supply, you’re likely dealing with hard water. If the concentration of calcium carbonate in your water ranges from 121-180 mg/L, it will be classified as hard. This type of water can damage your fixtures, worsen the taste, and cause frequent plumbing issues. In this guide, you’ll learn how to test for hard water.

Signs of Hard Water

The many signs that you have hard water in your home include the following:

• Lackluster hair that’s flat and doesn’t have much shine to it
• Dry and itchy skin
• Residue is left behind after you wash your hands or clean the dishes
• Buildup in your shower or around sink faucets
• Your clothes are stiff
• Regular clogs in drains
• Higher water bills

How to Test for Hard Water

There are several tests you can perform to measure the hardness of your water, which include everything from the soapsuds test to a professional evaluation.

Soapsuds Test

For the soapsuds test, you’ll need the following tools:

• Water strip test kit
• Liquid dishwashing soap
• A clean mason jar or water container with a cap

To start this test, fill your plastic or glass bottle with around eight to 10 ounces of water. The jar should be around 1/3 full. The next step involves adding 10 drops of your dish soap to the solution. Make sure that you’re using pure liquid soap instead of detergent. Shake the solution well for 10-15 seconds. Wait for another 10 seconds to get the results.

If the water is soft and doesn’t contain many hardness minerals, it should become soapy. Soft water typically foams up quickly. The water below the foam should be mostly clear. Hard water doesn’t become that soapy. If you only detect a thin layer of suds, there’s a good chance that the water is hard. Look at the water below the suds. If it’s cloudy, the mineral concentration is too high.

DIY Test Kit

You can also use a DIY test kit to determine how hard the water in your home is. These water quality kits are often sold at hardware and home improvement stores. You can also find them on Amazon.com and other online retailers. Make sure that the test kit you purchase measures hardness. Some options only test for safety and quality.

Keep in mind that there are different types of hardness test kits. For example, some include a solution that you place into the water, after which it will change color. However, most kits include wet-strip tests. To begin this type of test, fill a container with tap water. The kit you buy might come with an empty container.

The paper test strip should then be inserted into the water based on the instructions on the package. In most cases, the strip of paper needs to be submerged for a few seconds. Your kit should come with a chart that allows you to compare the color on the strip with that of the chart. The chart will tell you how soft or hard your water is.

Obtain Professional Testing

You can also measure water hardness by obtaining professional testing, which involves taking the water sample to a lab for more precise measurements. By working with water treatment professionals, you’ll receive precise results.

If you don’t want to perform a DIY test to determine if you have hard water, our team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing provides efficient water tests. We’ll measure the water hardness and provide you with recommendations on the solutions you can use to soften the water that’s delivered to your Florida home. Call us today to book an appointment.

Depending on where you live, you may have hard water or soft water. While both water types are safe to drink, they can impact the longevity of your plumbing system. If you have hard water, you will most likely need to perform more frequent maintenance and repairs on your plumbing system.

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water contains magnesium, calcium, and other minerals. These minerals are safe to drink, but they can end up clogging some of your pipes. You may notice unseemly stains on your tubs and sinks. Because your appliances have to work harder, you may also end up spending more on your water bill. Additionally, hard water can cause linens and clothes to wear out faster.

The Signs That You Have Hard Water

If you are uncertain about whether your home has hard water or not, there are a few signs you can look for. You can also ask a plumber from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to see what type of water your home has. In general, you can assume you have hard water if you notice any of the following symptoms.

• Chalky residue on your dishes or in your dishwasher.
• Low water pressure from clogged pipes.
• Dry skin.
• Rough, dull clothes.
• Flat hair.

How Can You Alleviate Hard Water?

Over time, hard water can end up clogging your plumbing system. Besides reducing your home’s water pressure, this can also cause your appliances to break down. To avoid hefty replacement and repair costs, you need to be proactive about dealing with your hard water.

If you think that you could have hard water, start by calling a plumber to get your water tested. Afterward, you may want to use a water softener. This will help to reduce the effects of hard water on your plumbing system.

Besides getting a water softener installed, you should also request a maintenance inspection. If you have had hard water for a long time, it may have caused additional wear on your water heater, pipes, fixtures, and faucets. By getting your plumbing system checked out, you can mitigate some of the effects of hard water.

Get Help With Your Home’s Plumbing System

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we have years of experience in helping local residents with hard water. We also offer help with drain cleaning, house repiping, faucet repair, and similar services. To learn more about how we can help your plumbing system perform at its best, reach out to one of our team members today.