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Hard water… What is that?

Ordinarily, hardness is not a word we should associate with water because water is a liquid, and liquids are not hard typically. But when water is described as “hard” or “soft,” it is not a reference to its physical state; if the water is liquid or solid (frozen).

Instead, it refers to the amount of dissolved minerals inside the water. Water hardness or softness plays a huge role in how water reacts with your plumbing and the appliances in your home, says Stewart Management. It can impact everyday tasks like washing or taking a shower.

But what exactly makes water hard?

Water supply is said to be hard if it contains high quantities of dissolved salts, like calcium, magnesium or limestone. Water becomes hard after it passes through bedrock with high amounts of calcium, magnesium or limestone before reaching the soil surface.

Hard water is a problem that only exists in some areas. But the good thing is the dissolved minerals in hard water do not make it unsafe for drinking. However, water hardness can have unintended consequences on your home and lifestyle.

How hard water affects your home

Formation of soap scum

Instead of a rich foamy lather, hard water reacts with soap/detergents to form a disgusting sticky substance called soap scum. Soap scum lines shower walls, sinks and the inside of drainpipes; it impairs your home’s aesthetics.

Dry skin and hair

The minerals in hard water and soap scum caused by hard water can coat your hair and skin, leaving the skin dry and making hair less silky. Hard water makes it hard to remove soap from your body.

Damage to clothes and fabric

Clothes are more likely to fade and begin to fray when they are washed in hard water. That is because the salt molecules cling to the fabrics.

Stains on dishes and glasses

Washing dishes and glasses in hard water is difficult because hard water leaves a thin film on the surface of the items.

Limescale in water pipe

The sedimentation rate within water pipes is higher when the water is hard. That shortens the lifespan of your pipes.

Low water pressure

Lime scale can narrow water pipe channels to the point of reducing their capacity and causing low water pressure.

Damage to appliances

Limescale in water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines and coffee makers impairs their efficiency and hastens their breakdown.

Water pipe leaks

Leaks increase with the rate of buildup inside water pipes. Limescale may also cause spikes in pressure that can crack the pipes.

High water bills

Hard water impacts your water bill. You will use more water than is normal and undetected leaks in the system can push the bill higher.

Higher home maintenance costs

The overall cost of maintaining your home will be higher when dealing with the above issues caused by hard water.

Whole-house water softeners are usually the best option, but it is possible to install a water softener for a specific plumbing fixture, such as the sink or refrigerator.

How to get rid of hard water in your home

These are the steps for solving your home’s hard water issues:

Test your water supply

detail you must analyze your water supply. A basic water testing kit will tell you the levels of calcium carbonate in the water. You can purchase these kits on Amazon for as low as $10. For more advanced tests, you may want to talk to a professional plumber.

Install a water softener

Water softeners remove the minerals that cause water hardness. The water-softening device is installed at the home’s main water supply pipe –in the basement or kitchen. All the water entering the house is fed into the water softener and forced to pass a bed of salt beads, which remove minerals inside the water. The treated water is then allowed to flow into the plumbing fixtures. Whole-house water softeners are usually the best option, but it is possible to install a water softener for a specific plumbing fixture, such as the sink or refrigerator.

Whole-house filtration system

Whole-house filtration systems are more advanced. Instead of merely softening the water, a whole-house filtration system filters out the impurities in water. While water softeners solve water hardness but do not filter out the impurities in water, whole-house filtration systems do both. Whole-house filtration systems remove bacteria, heavy metals, chlorine by-products and other impurities from your water supply.

Which solution is best for your home? The answer depends on the specifics of your problem and how much money you are willing to spend to fix the hard water problem. To make a decision that will benefit you in the long term, it is a good idea to talk to a professional plumber.

Hard Water Plumbing

For homeowners, hard water can present a unique set of plumbing-related problems. What is hard water? Hard water is water that contains higher-than-usual levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. This is usually caused by water being naturally exposed to certain rocks, sediment, and soils.

Hard water affects your plumbing system mainly in two ways. One, it can corrode pipes and fixtures, and two, it leaves soap scum and other mineral deposits that can build up and interfere with the proper functioning of the plumbing system or home appliances that utilize water.

The most common problem with hard water is its effect on pipe systems throughout the home. Generally, hard water does not cause major damage, but it certainly takes its toll on pipe systems over time, especially for pipes made of non-coated metals. Without protection from a chemical agent, the minerals in hard water can wear away and corrode the piping, causing eventual leaks and weakened pipes.

Plumbing Troubleshooting Tips

If you suspect you’re having problems with hard water, there are several steps homeowners can take to help safeguard their plumbing and appliances.

First and foremost, it’s important to act fast when it comes to potential problems. If you notice anything suspicious, look into it right away. Be sure to check the pipes in the entire home and don’t just concentrate on the ones that appear to be in good condition. Corrosion and mineral deposits can build up inside the walls of a pipe and be hard to detect.

It’s also important to have a local plumber take a look at the water supply and assess the situation. Not only can a plumber help to determine if you’re having problems with hard water in your home, but they can also provide suggestions for ways to minimize the risk of problems in the future.

One suggestion a plumber may make is to install a water softener. A water softener is a device that removes minerals from the water before it reaches the faucets, curtailing the harmful effects that hard water can have on your plumbing system.

Soap Scum Buildup

Another popular problem homeowners with hard water experience is the build-up of soap scum in fixtures and sinks. Soap scum is a sticky residue that forms when the minerals in hard water bind with the soap being used in the home.

The same minerals that form soap scum can also interfere with the soap itself, making it hard to form lather and further complicating the labor already needed to clean fixtures.

To help combat soap scum buildup, homeowners can use mild, acidic cleaners on bathrooms and kitchen fixtures to help dissolve the buildup. Additionally, switching out traditional soaps for body wash or detergents specifically designed for hard water can help.

Homeowners may also be able to lessen their hard water woes by investing in a water softener. As mentioned before, a water softener can help to reduce mineral content in the water, alleviating some of the common issues associated with hard water.

Hard water can be a challenge for homeowners, but it doesn’t have to be an impossibility to deal with. With a bit of troubleshooting and perhaps an investment in a water softener, homeowners can put their hard water woes behind them.

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How to Get Rid of Hard Water in Your Plumbing