You Can Blame San Antonio for Your Rusty Tub

Are there brown stains appearing in your tubs and sinks, white film over your shower and water is not coming out properly?

Well, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with hard water. I know what you’re thinking, “Hard water? But the water isn’t solid!” But what we really mean by hard water is that it’s packed with an abundance of iron, magnesium, and calcium.

Magnesium, iron and calcium are naturally found in rivers, oceans and even rain water. Too little can even be dangerous since they’re vital for the human body to regulate blood pressure to nervous system communication. Now you know why doctors nag so much that we are not drinking enough water!

Why does San Antonio have hard water?

If you’re a resident of San Antonio, your water is probably very hard as San Antonio has one of the hardest water in the country. Water hardness is measured in GPG which stands for grains per gallon. The water would be considered hard if it measures above 7 GPG. California tends to have hard water too; for instance, Sacramento, California’s levels are at 9 GPG. Now, San Antonio is at a whopping 21 GPG. You can thank the Edwards Aquifer for that.

What’s the Edwards Aquifer?

Hold on to your swim caps, we’re about to dive into the magical world of the Edwards Aquifer. Picture a massive sponge made of rocks, nestled deep underground, just waiting to slurp up all that sweet, sweet rainwater. That’s the aquifer in a nutshell. It’s like Mother Nature’s very own water filtration system, providing a precious resource for millions of people and an oasis for aquatic critters. And San Antonio gets their water from Edwards Aquifer which is the area’s largest water source and It is vital to manage this resource sustainably to ensure its availability for future generations.

Is hard water dangerous?

Cancel that doctor’s appointment you probably just made. Hard water has no known health risk. It’s more of an annoyance really due to the mineral buildup in your plumbing and rust appearance. It is not dangerous to digest hard water at all, in fact, if you have calcium deficiency, it may even be good for you. With that being said, if you have dry skin or dandruff, definitely look into purchasing a water softener as hard water could further dry out your skin.

What can I do to prevent rust?

Water is the main reason when it comes to rusted sinks and tubs due to the minerals found there. When water is left on the sink or the tubs remain wet after use, the iron that is found naturally in water will sit, which then continues to oxidize thus, leading to rust. Of course, many who have the urge to clean the brown stain with harsh chemicals such as bleach. That will only worsen the condition. It’s important to wipe down your sink and tub dry after use with a soft material such as a towel or even a squeegee for your shower. If you want to learn how to clean it as well, click here and read our other blog for more information on how to clean your tub.

What if my surface is very rusty and damaged?

If the rust stains in your sinks or tubs are persistent and advance for you to rid, then a professional resurfacing service will be needed. At CTF Luxury Coatings are made up of a team of experts with the tool and knowledge to transform your rusty products into brand new products without having to purchase said products. To restore the condition of your sink or tub, reach out to us today and schedule an appointment. We look forward to working with you.

Citations

Texas Water Hardness. HydroFLOW USA. https://www.hydroflow-usa.com/texas-water-hardness

Edwards Aquifer Authority. (n.d.). About the Aquifer. Retrieved from https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/about-the-aquifer

Texas Water Development Board. (2016). The Edwards Aquifer. Retrieved from https://www.twdb.texas.gov/groundwater/aquifers/edwards

U.S. Geological Survey. (2019). Edwards Aquifer. Retrieved from https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/edwards-aquifer?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects