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What is Hard Water and What Are Its Effects?

Understanding Hard Water

Hard water can cause unsightly stains on our bathroom fixtures and outside our homes, as well as cause skin irritation and sensitivity. How can you tell if your home has hard water and can it be fixed? We’re here with the answers.

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water is water that contains a high mineral content. Minerals such as calcium and magnesium can naturally build up in our water supply and when this concentration is too high, hard water occurs. When this happens, our home’s water can begin to dry out our skin and cause mineral buildup on our fixtures. Hard water can occur in both homes that receive their water from a well and those that receive water from a city water system.

shower head build up

While hard water is safe to use for washing, eating, and drinking, it can have adverse effects on our homes and pocketbooks. 

How Can You Tell If You Have Hard Water?

Hard water causes mineral buildup on faucets and pipes, as well as dry skin and “crunchy” feeling clothing. If you’ve experienced any of the following tell-tale signs, your home may have hard water:

 

  • White residue on dishes, even after running through the dishwasher
  • Rough, scratchy clothing or linens 
  • Residue buildup on faucets
  • Rust stains on bathroom fixtures or on the outside of the home (from sprinkler systems)
  • Dry, itchy skin and dull, lifeless hair
  • Low water pressure caused by mineral buildup in pipes

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What Are the Effects of Hard Water?

While hard water can adversely affect our skin, dishes, and clothing, it can also wreak havoc on our appliances. When the minerals in hard water build-up on appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines, they can cause these appliances to work harder to perform their job. When an appliance works harder, it uses more energy to do its job, which will be reflected on your monthly utility bills. Some experts have attributed hard water to increased utility bills totaling more than $800 a year. Additionally, the mineral buildup caused by hard water can prematurely age appliances, meaning you’ll be replacing major home appliances more often. 

How to Fix Hard Water

Concerned your home may have hard water? The good news is there is a simple fix. Remove hard water from your home by installing a water softener system. Water softeners are designed to reduce mineral buildup in the water supply and give your home silky-smooth water. These systems can easily be installed in the home and are designed to seamlessly integrate with your home water supply, meaning the only thing you’ll notice is just how soft your water feels. 

Ready to Remove Hard Water From Your Home?

Call ServiceMark for all your plumbing needs!

Plumbing Services

When you’ve had enough of the spots, stains, and dry skin caused by hard water, give the team at ServiceMark a call! Our professional plumbers can help remove hard water from your home by seamlessly installing a water softener within your existing home plumbing system. What are you waiting for? Contact our team today. Your skin and wallet will thank you!

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