Why bother
York Region's tap water is moderately hard, and many wells around Newmarket are harder still. Hardness minerals deposit scale inside water heaters, tankless units, dishwashers and faucet cartridges. That shortens their life and lowers efficiency.
Doing it, in order
- Look up the latest York Region water quality report, or use a test strip.
- Note the hardness number and units.
- Check your water heater and fixtures for scale.
- Decide whether to treat the whole house or just drinking water.
- Consider a softener for whole-house hardness.
- Clean aerators and shower heads with vinegar in the meantime.
Softened water is fine for washing. Many people keep one tap on unsoftened water for drinking.
When the job becomes ours
Call us to size and install a softener, or to descale a tankless unit. If your well water also has iron or sulphur, we will suggest the right filter to pair with it.
Your bucket-and-rag checklist
- Check scale on aerators
- Test hardness
- Flush the heater
Stop line: If the heater rumbles loudly, call. Ring (365) 517-0032.
Questions people ask us
Could hard water harm us?
Not by itself. It is a nuisance for pipes and appliances, not a health risk.