1st American Plumbing, Heating & Air

North Salt Lake's Expert Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Services

1. Very Hard Water and Aggressive Scale Damage

North Salt Lake and the surrounding Davis County area receive water that is consistently classified as Very Hard. Levels are often reported around 20 grains per gallon (gpg) or higher.

• Limescale Accumulation: The high mineral content (calcium and magnesium) accelerates the formation of scale on everything water touches. This buildup clogs faucets, showerheads, and, most critically, narrows the diameter of your pipes, leading to a significant drop in water pressure over time.
• Reduced Appliance Life: Water heaters are hit hardest. Scale acts as an insulator on the heating elements, forcing the unit to run longer and hotter, which drastically reduces its energy efficiency and shortens its lifespan, often leading to premature replacement.
• Failing Fixtures: You'll see frequent white, chalky residue on glassware and fixtures, requiring constant cleaning and eventually replacement.

We strongly recommend installing a specialized, high-efficiency water softening system to mitigate the costly effects of this aggressive mineral content.

2. Aging Infrastructure and Geologic Stress

As a mature city in the valley, North Salt Lake is prone to issues related to older home systems:

• Outdated Piping: Many older homes may contain original materials like galvanized steel or cast-iron sewer lines that are highly susceptible to internal corrosion, rust, and collapse.
• Tree Root Intrusion: Mature trees are common, and their roots actively seek out and penetrate tiny cracks in aging sewer lines, causing frequent and expensive sewer backups and clogs.
• Expansive Clay Soils: Like much of the Wasatch Front, the soil contains expansive clay that swells dramatically when wet and shrinks when dry. This constant shifting puts immense stress on underground plumbing lines and foundations, increasing the risk of difficult-to-detect leaks and ruptures.