If you live in Las Vegas, you know the struggle. You step out of the shower, and your skin feels dry. You look at your glass shower door, and it’s covered in white spots. You go to wash your hands, and the faucet is caked with a crusty white substance.
Welcome to the hard water capital of the desert.
According to water quality reports, Las Vegas has some of the “hardest” water in the nation. While it is safe to drink, this mineral-heavy water is a silent killer for your home’s plumbing system. At Clean Hits Pipe Cleaning, we see the expensive damage it causes every day. Here is what you need to know to protect your investment.
What is “Hard Water”?
Water is considered “hard” when it contains high concentrations of dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. Our water comes from the Colorado River, flowing through mineral-rich canyons before it reaches your tap.
When this water dries or heats up, it leaves those minerals behind in the form of limescale. That is the rock-hard white stuff you see on your fixtures.
The 3 Ways Hard Water Damages Your Home
1. It Kills Water Heaters
This is the most expensive consequence. Inside your water heater, heat accelerates the separation of minerals from the water. These minerals settle at the bottom of the tank, forming a thick layer of rock.
This sediment layer acts as an insulator. Your burner has to work twice as hard to heat the water through that rock layer. This drives up your NV Energy or Southwest Gas bill and causes the tank to overheat and leak years before it should.
2. It Clogs Pipes and Showerheads
Just as scale builds up on the outside of your faucet, it builds up on the inside of your pipes. Over time, this restricts water flow, lowering your water pressure. If you have ever noticed a showerhead spraying in weird directions, that is hard water clogging the tiny nozzles.
3. It Ruins Appliances
Dishwashers and washing machines use pumps and heating elements that are sensitive to scale. Hard water wears out rubber seals and burns out pumps, leading to costly repairs or replacements.
The Solution: How to Fight Back
You can’t change the city water supply, but you can change how it enters your home. Here are the most effective ways to handle Las Vegas water:
- Install a Water Softener: This is the gold standard. A whole-home water softener removes the calcium and magnesium before it enters your plumbing system. It protects your pipes, makes your skin feel softer, and keeps your glass clear.
- Regular Descaling & Flushing: If you don’t have a softener, maintenance is non-negotiable. You must flush your water heater (tank or tankless) annually to remove sediment buildup.
- Vinegar Soaks (DIY): For crusty faucets and showerheads, soaking them in a bag of white vinegar for a few hours can dissolve the external calcium deposits.
Protect Your Plumbing with Clean Hits
Don’t let the desert water ruin your plumbing. Whether you need a water softener installed, a tankless water heater flushed, or your pipes descaled, we have the tools to get the job done right.
Contact Clean Hits Pipe Cleaning today at +1 702-808-3459. We keep the water flowing in Las Vegas.