Have you heard the term hard water before? Perhaps you have, but aren’t quite sure what it is or why it matters. First off, it’s not something that’s harmful to you or your family. It is, however, harmful to your plumbing and to your overall quality of life.
Hard water is water that has a high level of minerals in it, which builds up and causes a number of potential problems that we’re about to get into. The minerals that cause this problem are calcium and magnesium, and sometimes iron.
So how do you know if your home is battling with this problem? Read on to find out!
You Have Scale Buildup on Plumbing Fixtures and Appliances
This is usually a pretty clear sign of hard water. Mineral deposits can start showing up on your faucets, showerheads, and even on appliances that use water such as your coffee pot and dishwasher. The build-up is unsightly and can also cause a bad taste in your water.
Your Skin and Hair Are Dry
Due to the excess minerals in the water, taking a shower can leave both your hair and skin feeling dry and prattle. This is because the water isn’t able to nourish you as well as it should, so when you dry off, you don’t feel as refreshed as usual.
Your Clothes are Faded
Hard water impacts your washing machine, too. What happens is that the minerals strip the color away from your clothes much faster than treated water would. Your clothes, bedding, etc. might even feel scratchy due to the mineral build-up.
Your Sinks and Bathtubs Are Stained
The mineral residue left over from hard water can start to stain your sinks and bathtubs. It’s easy to clean off, for the most part. But who wants to clean their bathroom every single day? You shouldn’t have to do this anyways! The installation of a whole-house water softener will resolve this issue for you.
You Have Frequent Plumbing Repairs
Steel pipes have a hard time managing hard water (pun intended). They can become relatively easily damaged because of the buildup of minerals and your water flow will eventually be affected. This can cause corrosion and other pip problems, leading you to call for drain cleaning and pipe repairs often.
You See a Spike in Your Water Bills
As calcium and magnesium build up inside your pipes, the plumbing system has to work harder to let water flow through. This can result in a number of problems, like leaks or cracked pipes. Even the most minor leaks can lead to gallons of water loss over the course of a year, and this contributes to high water bills.
Your Dishes and Glassware Are Spotted
Have you discovered white spots on your dishes and glassware when you take them out of the dishwasher? This is caused by hard water, which often leads you to need to rewash them. The real solution is to have a whole-house water softener integrated into your plumbing system.
Contact DeHart Plumbing, Heating, and Air Inc. for professional water treatment services in Modesto, CA.