Municipal water
Most urban Vaughan homes receive municipal water supplied through York Region. Hardness information is published by the Region; check current water quality reports for your area.
Well water
Rural properties on wells may have harder water, depending on the aquifer. Testing tells you hardness, iron and other factors.
Effects
- Scale buildup in water heaters and tankless heat exchangers
- White spots on fixtures and glass
- Reduced flow in aerators and shower heads
- Shorter appliance life
Clean aerators and shower heads by soaking in vinegar.
Solutions
Softeners, regular heater flushing and descaling help. See tankless service.
Testing your water
Simple test strips give an approximate hardness reading. For wells, a lab test gives a complete picture, including iron and bacteria. Knowing hardness helps size a softener correctly.
Softener basics
Softeners trade hardness minerals for sodium or potassium ions, and they need a drain for regeneration, a bypass valve and salt. Some homeowners leave a cold tap at the kitchen unsoftened for drinking. Softeners need occasional maintenance and resin replacement over many years.
Protecting the water heater
Flushing a tank heater removes some sediment. Tankless units need descaling. Both last longer with softer water.
When to put the tools down
Some of this is homeowner work and some is not. Stop and phone us if you see any of these:
- Water meter dial moves with every tap off
- Pressure drops when two fixtures run
- Green crust on copper joints
- Banging when a valve closes quickly
- Anything involving the gas line, the venting or cutting into a wall
Quick answers
Does hard water harm my health?
Hardness is generally treated as a nuisance rather than a health risk: think scale, spots and shorter appliance life.
Will softened water taste different?
Most households notice little change, but some keep one unsoftened cold tap for drinking and cooking.