What You Need to Know About Hard Water

Hard water is water that contains a high mineral count. This does not pose a health risk and is safe to drink, but it can cause some problems around the house that you may prefer to avoid. Hard water is common in many homes, so it is quite likely that you have it in yours. So, how do you know?

Signs of Hard Water:

• White buildup on faucets and showerheads
  
• Dishes and silverware are coming out of the dishwasher with spots on them
  
• Clothing wears and fades quickly from being washed
  
• Your hair is dull or greasy, even right after shampooing
  
• Water has a metallic taste or odour
  
• You notice reddish stains in your toilet bowl or dishwasher

Why Does Hard Water Matter?

Hard water causes a number of pesky little annoyances, and often people don’t realize that it’s the culprit. Here are a few of the ways that hard water may be negatively impacting your day to day.

Scale buildup (that white stuff on your showerhead and faucets) also forms on the inside of your pipes when you have hard water. This decreases efficiency and can cause blockages.

Hard water means you’re paying more than you need to be on your monthly water bill.

Hard water lowers the life expectancy of appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines. It also makes these appliances less effective during their use.

Showering with hard water can be a problem for some people because it makes it difficult to fully rinse away soap residue. This can cause dry, itchy, skin and lifeless, greasy hair. For those with extremely sensitive skin, particularly babies and young children, bathing with hard water can cause eczema.

How Do I Get Rid of Hard Water?

Consider getting a water softener installed. A water softener uses the process of ion exchange to remove mineral content from your household water. Many people find water softeners to be a worthwhile investment because they get rid of the inconveniences and wear-and-tear caused by hard water in the home.

Learn more about water softeners.

Ready to get your new water softener installed or need a repair done?

Book a Plumber!