GUIDE · HOME CARE

Hard-water fixes you can do yourself.

Scale is a maintenance problem, not a reason to sign a contract. Three cheap habits cover most of it.

Flush the water heater.

Minerals settle at the bottom of a tank water heater as sediment. Rheem, a major manufacturer, says that sediment acts like insulation: the heater runs longer, uses more energy and wears out its heating parts faster. Rheem recommends flushing about once a year, or every six months with hard water. A weekend afternoon is plenty.

Turn off the power or gas and the cold-water supply first, and run the drain hose somewhere hot water can't do damage. Call a licensed plumber if the drain valve sticks or leaks, or if you're unsure about gas or electrical work.

Clean the dishwasher monthly.

Dishwasher cleaner tablets are made to dissolve limescale, the chalky mineral crust hard water leaves on the tub, racks and hoses. Run one in an empty dishwasher about once a month.

Wipe the shower weekly with vinegar.

Mix distilled white vinegar 1:1 with water in a spray bottle. Spray glass, faucets and stainless steel, let it sit a few minutes, scrub gently and rinse.

Keep vinegar off granite, marble and other natural stone. It is acidic enough to etch them; use baking soda and water there instead. Never mix vinegar with bleach. The combination releases toxic chlorine gas.

When a softener does make sense.

In very hard water, a softener can protect pipes and appliances. Buy it as a plumbing appliance, at a fair price, after reading your city's water report. Just don't buy it as a drinking-water safety system, because it isn't one.

Sources.

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Our local service covers water coolers, countertop and under-sink RO, and honest advice for your home in these three cities. Everywhere else, the guides on this site are free to use.