Hard water leaves calcium and magnesium behind wherever it heats or evaporates, and over time that scale clogs valves, screens and spray holes. If you see two or more of the signs below, minerals are probably part of what's slowing your appliances down.
In this post:
- •White crust inside the dishwasher
- •Slow or undersized ice
- •A washer that fills slowly
- •A crusty dispenser nozzle
- •Steam features asking to be descaled
- •Laundry that feels stiff
1. White crust inside the dishwasher
Scale builds on the tub, door and spray arms, and it can plug the tiny holes the water sprays through.
How to tell: Chalky white film on the tub and cloudy glasses. A mineral film comes off after a soak in white vinegar; if the cloudiness stays, the glass may be etched instead.
What to do: Use rinse aid, run a dishwasher cleaner made for mineral buildup, and clear spray arm holes with a toothpick. Some dishwashers have a water-hardness setting or a built-in softener; your manual will say.
2. Slow or undersized ice
Minerals collect in the fridge's water inlet valve and restrict flow to the ice maker.
How to tell: Cubes come out small or hollow, and the dispenser fills a glass more slowly than it used to. See why an ice maker makes small or hollow cubes for the full list.
What to do: Replace the water filter first, then check that the supply valve is fully open. If flow is still weak, the inlet valve may need replacing.
3. A washer that fills slowly
Washer inlets have small screens that catch grit and mineral flakes.
How to tell: The fill takes much longer than it used to, or one temperature fills slower than the other.
What to do: Turn off both valves, unplug the washer, remove the hoses and gently clean the screens. Replace any screen that's torn.
4. A crusty dispenser nozzle
Every time the dispenser runs, a few drops evaporate at the tip and leave minerals behind.
How to tell: White buildup on the fridge water dispenser tip, or a stream that sprays sideways.
What to do: Wipe the nozzle with diluted white vinegar on a cloth, then rinse.
5. Steam features asking to be descaled
Steam ovens and some steam laundry features turn water to vapor, which leaves minerals behind fast.
How to tell: A descale reminder on the display, or weaker steam.
What to do: Run the descale program with the product your manufacturer specifies. Skipping it shortens the life of the steam parts.
6. Laundry that feels stiff
Hard water makes detergent less effective, so residue stays in fabric.
How to tell: Towels feel scratchy and colors look dull.
What to do: Follow your detergent's hard-water dosing, don't overload the drum, and add a water conditioner made for laundry if the problem persists.
When a technician is the better call
If the dishwasher won't fill, heat or drain, or a valve keeps sticking after you've cleaned what you can reach, have it checked. Scaled inlet valves and heating parts are common replacements, and our dishwasher repair technicians handle both.
Southern California note
Hardness across LA County varies by water supplier and even by neighborhood, because suppliers blend water from different sources, such as local groundwater, the Los Angeles Aqueduct and imported water from the Metropolitan Water District. Your supplier's annual water quality report lists hardness for your area.
Marco's advice: Look up your hardness number once. It tells you whether a softener, a filter or simply more frequent cleaning makes sense for your home.
Scale getting the better of your appliances? Call ProFix LA at (818) 334-4526.