Mineral deposits will form on the inside of your tea kettle and coffee pot. This buildup is a sure sign that the water in your home is hard. It is easy enough to clean your appliances, but what about the scale that builds up in the pipes. The white, chalky material that builds up is lime. A water softener can reduce this buildup, extending the life of your pressure water pipes. The minerals in hard water will reduce the inside diameter of the pipes in your home, you will see more frequent problems with your plumbing.