What Causes Las Vegas' Hard Water?
Las Vegas, like many areas in the United States (where over 85% of water sources are affected), faces the issue of hard water.
States such as Nevada experience particularly hard water due to mineral accumulation in the municipal water supply and their reliance on groundwater and river sources.
The extreme hardness results from high concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals in local aquifers, with over 300 parts per million (ppm) of hardness minerals being common across the state, especially in Las Vegas. In comparison, the national average is 120-140 ppm.
This highly mineralized hard water significantly impacts Las Vegas plumbing systems, with repair and replacement costs posing a severe challenge for property owners over time.
What are Common Plumbing Issues in Las Vegas?
Some of the common issues of hard water on Las Vegas' plumbing include:
- Scale Buildup: The minerals in hard water can precipitate and form scale deposits inside pipes and appliances. This scale buildup can restrict water flow, reducing the efficiency of water heaters and other appliances that use water. It may also lead to clogs in pipes and fixtures, causing breaks and leaks in piping materials more susceptible to hard water.
- Reduced Efficiency of Water Heaters: Hard water can cause scale buildup on the heating elements of water heaters. This can reduce the heater's efficiency, making it less effective in heating water and potentially increasing energy costs.
- Appliance Lifespan: The accumulation of scale in appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters can decrease their lifespan. Appliances may require more frequent maintenance and may need to be replaced sooner than if they were exposed to soft water.
- Clogged Faucets and Showerheads: Mineral deposits can accumulate in faucets and showerheads, leading to reduced water flow and issues with low water pressure.
If you are concerned about hard water, we have an article that focuses on how hard water damages plumbing.
What Types of Piping Material Are More Susceptible to Hard Water Damage?
In Las Vegas, specific piping materials are more susceptible to damage caused by hard water.
Polybutylene pipes, often sold under the brand name Qest, are especially vulnerable to damage and leaks when exposed to hard water over an extended period. Hard water can gradually erode polybutylene piping from the inside, causing scaling and build-up on pipe walls, making them brittle and prone to cracks.
Similar to polybutylene plumbing, copper pipes are also vulnerable to the minerals present in hard water. The accumulated mineral buildup can create an uneven surface on the inner walls of copper pipes, leading to potential sites for localized corrosion. This process results in pitting and can eventually cause pinhole leaks in copper.
Many older homes in Las Vegas still have polybutylene pipes. All polybutylene need to be replaced eventually. In our experience, once you have one leak, you are likely facing a systemic issue, and other leaks will follow.
What is the Best Repipe Material for Las Vegas' Hard Water?
There is no effective way to clean limescale inside pipes, therefore they will need to be replaced. Furthermore, choosing a whole-home repipe is typically more cost-effective than multiple partial replacements of damaged hard water pipes done section-by-section.
When addressing Las Vegas' hard water, PEX tubing is generally more effective than other piping materials, such as copper piping. We utilize Uponor PEX-A tubing for our full home repipes and provide lifetime warranties on all our repipes.
The smooth interior surface of PEX tubing prevents minerals from adhering to the pipe walls, reducing scale formation. Additionally, due to PEX tubing requiring fewer fittings, limescale is less likely to build up around bends and connections. (Note: All piping materials are affected by hard water, including PEX. However, PEX is generally more effective against scale buildup.)
PEX offers several advantages, such as its durability, resistance to corrosion, and longevity. We have an article detailing the benefits of repiping with PEX.
Other options to help reduce the problems caused by Las Vegas' hard water include installing a water softening system or a whole-home filtration system. However, in our experience, repiping with PEX ensures the longevity of your plumbing against the effects of hard water.
How Much Does it Cost to Repipe a Home in Las Vegas?
In general, our Las Vegas repipes range from $4,500 for a two-bedroom, one-bath house to up to $15,000 for larger properties and more complex projects.
If you are researching repipe pricing for large multi-family properties such as HOAs, condos, or apartments, please visit our Multi-Family Division site. Repipe Specialists' Multi-Family Division can provide quotations for complex multi-unit projects, including project management support across tenant units and project financing.
Here at Repipe Specialists, we have performed thousands of repipes across the USA, specializing solely in full home plumbing replacements. A whole-home repipe is more affordable than you might imagine and is almost certainly less expensive than repairing damages behind expensive repeated pipe leaks caused by hard water.
For more information, please feel free to contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our local repipe consultants. They can provide a free, fixed-price quote tailored to your specific needs.
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With over 75,000 repipes completed, we've perfected our One-Stop Repipe™ for your home.
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Here at Repipe Specialists, we've fully replaced the plumbing in over 75,000 homes since 1991 using PEX tubing. We continually get positive customer feedback from customers about their overall 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.
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. Minimize the effects of hard water in Las Vegas, repipe with PEX.