Plumbing That's Suitable for Very Soft Water

Plumbing Types

• All types of plumbing are suitable for soft water. The Water Quality Association reports that the softening of water does not make water more corrosive. The primary misconception that soft water has a corrosive effect stems from the recognition that soft water is a stronger solvent than hard water. Hard water is unable to clean as well as soft water because it is saturated with dissolved minerals that actually prevent the water from doing its job. This is why many harsh cleaners are often used in the home: they have to do what hard water is unable to do effectively, which is clean.

Hard Water

• In reality, hard water is much more difficult on the plumbing in your home because the mineral deposits in the water eventually begin to accumulate in the pipes and even in the hot water heater. These deposits have a highly corrosive effect on the plumbing and hot water system, sometimes causing them to wear out sooner than they would with soft water.

Factors

• Water corrosivity depends on a number of factors, in addition to the mineral hardness of the water. The Water Quality Association notes that water softening does not affect those factors that contribute to water corrosivity. High levels of oxygen in the water, for example, can be detrimental to copper pipe. Softened or not, highly oxygenated water will wear out copper. Other factors that affect corrosivity include the water's flow rate, the concentration of dissolved solids, the amount of chloride and sulfide, and even the temperature of the water.

Effects

• Not only is soft water less corrosive than hard water, it can have the desirable effect of cleaning out the scale buildup of calcium and other mineral deposits in the plumbing. Over time this can eliminate the buildup altogether. Soft water will also extend the life of appliances that use water, such as washing machines.