What Is Soft Water?
Soft water is water that contains low concentrations of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium ions.
Unlike hard water, which can leave mineral deposits and scale on plumbing fixtures and appliances, soft water doesn't contain these minerals. This makes it more compatible with soap and detergents, leading to better cleaning results.
Soft water is often obtained through natural processes or water softening systems that remove or replace the hard minerals.
Is Soft Water as Bad as Hard Water?
Soft water isn't necessarily as problematic as hard water, but it does come with its own unique challenges.
In contrast, soft water, with its low mineral content, prevents these issues, enhancing the lifespan and performance of appliances and plumbing by avoiding mineral deposits. However, soft water can be slightly corrosive to certain metals like copper and galvanized steel.
Soft water's lack of calcium and magnesium allows it to dissolve more carbon dioxide from the air, forming carbonic acid, which can corrode metal pipes over time.
While soft water stops the scaling issues associated with hard water, it can hold corrosive properties.
Can Portland's Soft Water Affect Plumbing?
Portland has some of the softest water in the country, typically measuring around 8 ppm (parts per million), which is considered incredibly soft. You can read about hard water levels in our article what is hard water.
Portland's soft water does not contribute to scale buildup in pipes and appliances. However, Portland's soft water can accelerate corrosion in galvanized and copper pipes, leading to potential issues such as pinhole leaks and structural weakening over time. The low mineral content in the water makes it more acidic, increasing its ability to dissolve metals from these types of pipes.
Homeowners in Portland may need to monitor their plumbing systems for signs of corrosion and consider protective measures, such as corrosion inhibitors or using more resistant materials like PEX for their plumbing.
How Can I Protect My Plumbing From Portland's Soft Water?
One of the best strategies to protect your plumbing from Portland's soft water is to use PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) tubing. Here are the advantages of PEX in tackling soft water issues:
- Corrosion Resistance: PEX is not susceptible to corrosion or pitting caused by soft water, unlike copper and galvanized steel pipes.
- Flexibility: PEX pipes are flexible, allowing for easier installation and fewer joints, reducing potential leak points.
- Durability: PEX has a long lifespan (50 years or more) and can withstand varying water pressures and temperatures, making it a reliable choice for residential plumbing.
- Cost-Effective: PEX is generally cheaper than copper and galvanized steel, both in terms of material costs and installation labor.
- Scale Resistance: PEX is highly resistant to mineral scaling in comparison to other materials, ensuring consistent water flow and maintaining appliance efficiency.
By repiping with PEX tubing, homeowners in Portland can effectively mitigate the corrosive effects of soft water while ensuring a more durable and maintenance-free plumbing system.
If you want to know more about repiping with PEX, feel free to contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our local repipe consultants.
Get your free estimate today
With over 75,000 repipes completed, we've perfected our One-Stop Repipe™ for your home.
Get a Quote for Repiping Your Damaged Pipes
Here at Repipe Specialists, we've fully replaced plumbing in thousands of homes across the USA with modern Uponor PEX tubing. We continually get positive customer feedback from customers about their whole home repipe experiences. We often exceed their expectations on:
- Speed: Our repipe crews typically complete a repipe in a day, returning on another day for wall patching.
- Convenience: Through our One-Stop Repipe™ Process, we handle everything from permits, to wall patching, to inspections.
- Cleanliness: Our crews are trained to protect your home while working (we cover all surfaces with protective sheeting), and to clean up fully at the end of each day.
- Peace of Mind: Repipe Specialists is a fully licensed plumber in every state we operate in, and we back all of our repipes with a lifetime warranty.
- Financing programs: To help take the sting out of unplanned repipe expenses, we offer several financing programs.
- Price: As a specialist that performs hundreds of repipes a week, we can deliver high quality repipes at a lower cost vs generalist plumbers. We have an article that covers repipe cost factors in detail. Our quotes typically range from $4,500 to $15,000 depending on the size and complexity of your project.
Schedule a free in-home consult, and one of our local repipe consultants will explain all your repipe options and provide you with a written, fixed-price quote. Tackle the effects Portland's soft water, repipe with PEX.