You may not realize it but having good-quality water at home can really impact your day-to-day life. Hard water, which is water that contains a high amount of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron, can cause wear and tear on plumbing, make clothes look dingy after washing, and even dry out skin and hair. The sediments in hard water can also potentially carry harmful bacteria. Whether your water comes from a municipal system or a well, you may need to take steps to soften it by installing one of the many options for built-in water softener systems. Chances are you have hard water if you’ve experienced any of these telltale signs.
You Find Limescale Stains Everywhere
The minerals in hard water will often leave marks in your sinks, showers, and bathtubs, making them difficult to scrub away. Hard water can also leave behind a chalky buildup in appliances and fixtures that use water—your kettle, dishwasher, washing machine, faucets, and pipes are all susceptible to scale buildup, which can cause them to work inefficiently or not at all. You can avoid expensive repairs and extra energy costs with water filter systems, specifically water softener systems.
You Have New Appliances
If you’ve invested in new appliances, you’re likely expecting to get as much life out of them as possible. As mentioned above, hard water can be taxing on pieces of equipment that use water. Installing a water softener will not only work to improve how your appliances function but can also improve their lifespan.
Your Water Tastes or Smells Funny
In some cases, the minerals in hard tap water can give it an unpleasant smell or taste, and it can pass this unwanted flavour into other things, like when you make tea, for example. If your water tastes salty, metallic, or just has a weird smell, it may be time to consider a water softener.
Your Soap Won’t Lather and Leaves Marks
This can be a frustrating aspect of having hard water that most people overlook. Hard water prevents the sulfates in soap from foaming and creating that satisfying, bubbly lather. It also allows pesky soap scum to form on surfaces. If your soap is as flat as a day-old soda and you’re finding marks on your dishes even after washing, a water softener can help solve that in a flash.
Your Skin and Hair Feel Dry
Having hard water can dry out your skin, causing it to feel flaky, itchy, and rough. It can also make your hair feel dry and brittle. This is because hard water doesn’t rinse the soap away as effectively as soft water and can leave behind other residues. Softened water can resolve these issues and tends to have a better PH balance, keeping your skin and hair soft and healthy.
Your Clothes Get Ruined in the Wash
Do your clothes always come out of the washing machine looking faded, stained with detergent marks, or just not feeling fully clean? Hard water not only makes detergent less effective, but also doesn’t rinse it out completely, leaving behind white soap scum. Over time, hard water is much rougher on fabrics and you may find you have to replace your bedding, towels, and even clothes more often. That alone is a good enough reason to outfit your home with a water softener.
You’re Having Plumbing or Water Heater Problems
The mineral deposits from hard water can build up in your faucets, pipes, and throughout the plumbing system. This can cause a host of problems, such as low water pressure, leaks, and other damage. The appliance that takes the worst beating from hard water is your water heater. Heat and frequent usage speed up the formation of scale, making your water heater work harder and burn out sooner. Luckily, installing a water softener can clear up all of these problems quickly and easily. Simply Green Home Services offers a wide range of water softeners and whole-home water treatment systems to improve your water quality. Speak to one of our experts today!
