Hard Water in Phoenix: What It Does to Your Home

Water across the Phoenix area is very hard. If you have moved here from somewhere else, you have probably already noticed the white crust on faucets and the spots on shower glass. Here is what it does and what helps.

Where you will see it

• White, chalky scale on faucets, shower heads and around drains.
• Cloudy spots and film on glass shower doors and tile.
• Low flow from faucet aerators and shower heads clogged with mineral grit.
• Toilets that run because scale keeps the flapper from sealing.
• Crusty buildup in shower pans and on grout lines.

What you can safely do

1. Unscrew faucet aerators and soak them in white vinegar for an hour, then rinse.
2. Tie a bag of vinegar around a shower head overnight to dissolve scale, then run the water.
3. Squeegee glass shower doors after every shower; it prevents most spotting.
4. Use a cleaner made for hard water on tile and fixtures, and test it in a small spot first. Acid can etch natural stone like marble and travertine.

Reverse osmosis for drinking water

A reverse osmosis system under the kitchen sink removes most dissolved minerals from your drinking water and can feed the fridge water and ice maker too. Filters need changing on schedule, or the system slows down and stops doing its job.

When to call us

Call when buildup is past what a spray bottle can fix: heavy scale in a shower, cloudy glass, or fixtures and cartridges that need replacing. We do deep cleaning and restoration, install and service RO systems, and replace worn plumbing parts.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026. This guide is general information. When in doubt, or for anything involving gas, wiring or major water damage, call a professional.