How Does Hard Water Affect Your Home?

Water is essential for a comfortable living experience, from drinking to cleaning, cooking, and showering. However, not all water is the same. Have you ever noticed that your hair and skin feel different after a shower when you stay in a hotel? Or maybe there’s an unusual flavor to the faucet water in a new city. Water varies from softness to hardness on a spectrum, impacting plumbing, appliances, and personal health and hygiene.

Keep reading for information about hard water, how it may affect your home and living experience, and what you can do about it.

What is Hard Water? The Basics

Water is pulled from underground and contains various minerals that occur when water passes through dirt and rocks. When hard, water carries more minerals than other streams, primarily abundant calcium and magnesium. Too many minerals create a buildup called scale, leading to long-term plumbing problems like cracks and corrosion.

Signs of Hard Water in Your Home and the Impact on Your Plumbing System

Here are some examples of how you can tell you hard water in your home.

• Frequent clogs. Mineral buildup can restrict water flow over time, meaning a drop in water pressure, trouble draining a tub, sink, or toilet, and bubbling sounds from connected pipes (like double sinks in a kitchen).
• Calcium residue. Calcium buildup is white and chalky and remains behind when water dries. This indicates hard water, significantly when it hardens on faucets or around drains.
• Frequent calls to a plumber. Hard water leads to clogs, corrosion, and pipe issues, and some plumbing companies will remedy the symptoms without fixing the cause. Costly, frequent repairs will add up if hard water issues are ignored.

The adverse effects of hard water are gradual, and many homeowners can go years without noticing a difference in their plumbing system. However, even the most minor problem, like slow water flow, should be addressed seriously because it could worsen over time.

The Significant Impact of Hard Water in Your Home

Water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, coffee makers—anything that uses water can be affected by hard water in your home. Mineral buildup can decrease efficiency, causing appliances to work harder, thus shortening their lifespan and increasing utility costs.

Additionally, dishwashers and washers have a hard time getting dishes and clothes clean with hard water because minerals will lodge in the pores or fibers, resulting in soap scum and an unclean feeling. The same concept applies to hair and skin, as hard water minerals can build up on follicles and cells, causing itching, dryness, redness, and a dulled appearance.

Preventing Hard Water Damage with a Water Softener

From clogged pipes and high energy bills to soap scum, lifeless hair, and itchy skin, hard water can wreak havoc on your home and living experience. Contact a professional plumber to combat issues by installing a water softener, an innovative system that removes excess minerals to protect pipes, appliances, skin, and hair.