Understanding Hard Water Issues & How To Handle Them
Hard water is a common issue that many households face, often without even realizing it. While it poses no direct health risks, it can cause damage and create many inconveniences that impact daily life.
From unsightly spots on dishes to laundry that feels rough to the touch, hard water is a persistent nuisance. In this blog post, we’ll delve into what hard water is, how it affects your home, and what you can do to tackle the problem.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. These minerals accumulate in water as it travels through the environment. While minerals are beneficial in many ways, they can cause issues when they build up in your home’s plumbing system.
Water hardness is typically measured in grains per gallon (GPG). Here’s a quick breakdown:
- 0–3 GPG: Soft water
- 3–7 GPG: Moderately hard water
- >7 GPG: Hard water
For a precise measurement, you can contact Pure Water Works to have a water test done. Our water testing will measure hardness in grains per gallon or parts per million (PPM). If the analysis shows your water is at or above 7 GPG or 120 PPM, you’ll know you’re dealing with hard water.
How To Identify Hard Water
Recognizing the signs of hard water can save you from dealing with bigger issues down the road. When water is classified as hard, it can lead to several complications. You may see:
- Reduced efficiency of appliances
- Limescale buildup in pipes and on plumbing fixtures
- A general decrease in the effectiveness of soaps and detergents
- Spots on dishes, glassware, and shower doors
- Stiff laundry and dull colors
- Reduced water pressure from faucets and showerheads
If you’re noticing the effects of hard water throughout your home, you may benefit from a water-softening system. Let’s go into the major differences between hard and soft water.
Hard vs. Soft Water
Hard water contains high amounts of hard minerals. Soft water, on the other hand, contains very few minerals.
You can easily feel the difference— soft water creates a better lather with soap, while hard water makes it harder to work up suds. Soft water also leaves your skin and hair feeling clean after a shower, rather than dry. This is because there is no soap residue left behind or minerals in the water to strip your skin.
Soft water usually tastes better than hard water, as well. This is because a high amount of dissolved minerals can sometimes create a bitter, chalky, or salty flavor.
Common Hard Water Issues
- Appliance Inefficiency
Hard water can have a significant impact on household appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters. Over time, limescale can accumulate inside these appliances, leading to decreased efficiency and ultimately, a shorter lifespan. You may also see rising utility costs. A water heater, for example, may require more energy to heat water effectively, which can result in higher bills.
- Laundry Issues
Do your clothes feel rough after washing? This might be due to hard water. The minerals can prevent detergents from lathering properly, leading to residue on fabrics that can make them feel stiff. In some cases, whites and colors may appear dingy, which is another side effect.
- Spotty Dishes
If you notice that your dishes come out of the dishwasher with hazy white spots, hard water is likely the culprit. The minerals in hard water can leave behind residue that dulls the shine of your glassware and flatware. Not only is this unappealing, but it can also require extra effort to clean your dishes. You may also start to see scale buildup and stains on faucets and showerheads.
- Plumbing Problems
Hard water can contribute to limescale buildup in water pipes, which reduces water flow and pressure. Over time, this can even lead to serious plumbing issues that require costly repairs. Regular maintenance can mitigate these risks, but dealing with hard water proactively is always the best course of action.
- Dry Skin & Hair
Hard water can take a toll on your body as well as your home. When you shower in hard water, the excess minerals can strip away your skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry, itchy, and irritated. Your hair might become dull, brittle, and harder to manage, while your scalp could become flaky. Some people even notice their hair color fades faster when washed with hard water.
Additionally, we’ve already discussed how soap doesn’t lather well in hard water. This also means it’s more difficult to wash off the body, leaving a thin residue behind after a shower.
Solutions for Hard Water
The most effective solution for hard water is to install a water softener. These devices use ion exchange to replace hard minerals with sodium ions, effectively reducing mineral content.
This transformation keeps your appliances running longer, makes cleaning easier throughout your home, and reduces limescale buildup. Plus, you’ll likely use less soap and detergent for everyday tasks, saving money over time.
- Descaling Agents
If installing a water softener isn’t feasible, consider using descaling agents in appliances prone to limescale buildup. These products can help dissolve existing mineral deposits, improving efficiency and performance.
- Regular Maintenance
Regular plumbing and appliance maintenance is crucial especially when you havehard water. This includes descaling your water heater and dishwasher periodically to keep them running smoothly.
- Use Specialized Products
There are soaps and detergents formulated specifically for hard water conditions. These products can help enhance cleaning effectiveness and minimize the issues caused by mineral buildup.
Taking Action Against Hard Water
Hard water affects many homes in Michigan, but you don’t have to live with the side effects. If you’re tired of struggling with common hard water issues, such as spotty dishes and appliance inefficiency, Pure Water Works is here to give you total control over your water quality. We’ve helped people across the state solve their local water problems with expert water softener installation and maintenance.
Our water softeners efficiently remove the minerals that cause hard water, protecting your appliances and improving your daily life. Even better, we make maintaining your system easy with our convenient water softener salt delivery service. No more lugging heavy bags of salt from the store— our technicians deliver salt directly to your home and fill your softener for you. We can create a custom delivery schedule based on your softener’s size, your water hardness, and household usage.
Contact Pure Water Works for a free water analysis today. Our experts will measure your water’s hardness level and recommend the perfect solution for your home. Your appliances, laundry, and even your dishes will thank you!