When investing in a commercial building, there’s a lot you need to think about. The building itself can either help you scale operations or can easily become another financial liability. One aspect that can take a financial toll on your business is water quality.

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily magnesium and calcium. Water quality varies from city to city, but generally speaking, every business should strive to have healthy water. Failing to do so can lead to lots of unnecessary spending on maintenance and operational costs.

Increased Energy Costs

Hard water can easily hike up energy costs, mainly because of the pressure it puts on the water heater. When heating, the magnesium and calcium build up to form a rock-hard crust known as limescale. This buildup insulates the heating elements, restricting water flow and forcing it to consume over 25% more energy to reach a good temperature.

If you have an electric water heater being affected by hard water, it will actually work twice as hard, consuming more energy to do the same job. Your electric bill could double if these factors continue to accumulate. Additionally, the added strain can cut a water heater’s 12- to 15-year lifespan in half, leading to expensive replacements.

The dishwasher will also contribute to high energy consumption. The mineral buildup clogs the spray arms, making it work twice as hard.

Replacement Costs

Hard water destroys plumbing fixtures. While it affects all fixtures, water faucets are the ones all commercial buildings regularly use.

Hard water causes damage by leaving behind calcium and magnesium deposits, the same limescale that affects water heaters. This buildup restricts water flow, reduces pressure, degrades rubber seals (causing leaks), and the limescale can permanently erode the fixture.

If hard water destroys your faucets, repairing and replacing them isn’t cheap. Fixtures are designed for good-quality water. Most manufacturers state in their manuals that they will not provide a warranty or replacement for hard water issues, so you will have to pay out of pocket. This can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 per faucet.

Hard water also affects any other equipment that utilizes water, such as dishwashers and ice makers. It clogs water lines, reduces water flow, and can even produce cloudy ice cubes that may leave a chalky film or flakes as they melt.

If not handled, the equipment’s lifespan can be cut in half. You will lose half of your investment if you don’t take care of it.

Plumbing Repairs

As hard water flows through plumbing, the limescale coats the inside of the pipes. This restricts water flow, reduces pressure, and can lead to leaks or complete pipe failure. Depending on the amount of damage and size of the building, fixing hard water plumbing issues can cost thousands of dollars.

Unlike a broken appliance that sits out in the open, plumbing infrastructure is hidden behind drywall, beneath concrete slabs, and inside ceiling gridwork. This damage happens entirely out of sight. By the time a facility manager notices a drop in water pressure or a mysterious pinhole leak, the calcification has likely been compounding for years. Now you’re not just worried about the plumbing; it becomes a major structural issue that requires tearing open walls, disrupting business operations, and incurring massive drywall repair costs just to access the problem.

Make Sure You Have A Water Softener

Many commercial buildings should have a water softener already installed. To check if it does, go to your city or county website. They should have a building portal that records water treatment installations.

If you are already in the building, or decide to go with one without a water softener, you can easily tell if the water is hard before it starts eroding away at your fixtures and hiking your utility bills. You will notice water stains and white film around sinks and other areas that have been touched by water. You will also notice these stains on glasses and dishes.

If you notice these signs, you need to install a water softening system. While it can be pricey, depending on the building’s size and plumbing complexities, it’s a long-term investment. A one-time payment for a water softener will pay for itself after years of hiking utility bills and maintenance costs.