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Grinding, Squealing and Screeching: Interpreting the Noises Your HVAC Makes

If something is failing or going amiss with your HVAC unit, chances are, your HVAC unit is letting you know something is not quite right. However, most of the cues come in the form of sounds that many of us may overlook. If you hear your HVAC unit grinding, squealing, screeching or squeaking, it is letting you know it needs help. I was unaware of these cues and overlooked them. It ended up costing me a lot of money in repairs. I want to make sure that does not happen to other people, so I made this website. I hope you learn how to interpret the noises your HVAC unit is making so you can get it the repairs it needs before you incur a costly repair, or worse, permanently ruin your unit for good.

Grinding, Squealing and Screeching: Interpreting the Noises Your HVAC Makes

3 Negative Effects Of Hard Water

by Billie Carlson

Hard water is one of those residential problems that is often cited but seldom understood. This is due in part to the perception that hard water remains a relatively minor issue. Yet when bad enough it can still lead to a lot of unwanted trouble. If you would like to learn more about some of the negative effects of hard water, read on. This article will discuss three potential problems.

Hot Water Heater Scale

The minerals in hard water become yet more problematic when exposed to the high temperatures inside of your water heater. This causes the minerals to "fall out," forming a layer of flaky scale at the bottom of the heater. Over time, this scale can build up to such a depth that it will impact the performance of your water heater. That's because the mineral deposits will absorb the heat that should be going to your water.

This will require the machine to run for a longer time in order to heat its water. It will also increase the amount of wear and tear on the heating elements, which stand a higher risk of burnout. As a result, you may find yourself in need of costly hot water heater repairs. 

Less Effective Soap And Detergent

Hard water is characterized by the presence of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals tend to have an adverse effect on soaps and detergents, diminishing their power to accomplish basic cleaning tasks. What happens is that keep the soaps from being able to fully dissolve in the water. Instead, the two interact to form a sort of curdled soap substance.

This has a couple of direct negative effects. First of all, it makes the soap somewhat stickier, increasing its tendency to cling to the surface of dishes, plumbing fixtures, and more. It also makes the soap stick more to your skin and hair. This can leave your hair appearing limp and lifeless, while potentially causing irritation to those with sensitive skin.

Washing Machine Problems

The same soap curd causes problems for your washing machine as well. For one thing, it prevents the detergent from cleaning your clothes as effectively. In fact, as the soap curd works into the fabric, it can actually trap dirt particles even more tightly. This will lead to fabric that feels uncomfortably stiff and rough. Not only that, but the American Water Works Association has estimated that the effects of hard water on the internal components of a washing machine can cause it to wear out 30% faster than a machine operating with soft water. If you suspect that you have hard water, contact a business such as HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric

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