Many households have hard water, which has a high mineral content that damages plumbing, skin, and hair. However, you may not realize that you have hard water until it causes extensive damage to pipes and appliances. Discover the signs that you need a water softener below.
1. Scale Buildup
A chalky white residue on faucets and showerheads is a common hard water sign. When hard water evaporates, it leaves magnesium, calcium, and other minerals behind, which appear plaster-like and coat bathtubs, sinks, toilets, and faucets.
Hard water stains ruin a bathroom’s aesthetics, and you will likely spend a lot of time removing them with vinegar, bleach, and detergents. However, the stains reappear as soon as you use bathroom fixtures, and you need a long-lasting solution to your hard water. Water softening systems deal with this issue permanently and preserve the sheen on your fixtures.
2. Damaged Home Appliances
Hard water isn’t kind to home appliances because scale deposits clog up coffeepots, teakettles, ice makers, and other kitchen equipment. Larger appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and boilers aren’t spared either, and the mineral deposits can make them wear out faster than expected.
Replacing these devices is costly since some cost thousands of dollars to replace. Alternatively, install a water-softening system and spare yourself from frequent replacement expenses.
3. Stained and Brittle Glassware
If your precious glassware has unusual stains, you may have hard water. Some homeowners recommend running glassware through the dishwater with vinegar to remove the stains, but hard water spots persist as long as you have hard water. Also, be careful when handling glassware in hard water, as the minerals scratch the surface and make your utensils more likely to break.
4. Frequent Plumbing Problems
Hard water has a harsh effect on plumbing, depending on the quality of your pipes. If you have an older home with steel pipes, expect regular clogs because the material deteriorates from limescale buildup.
PVC and copper are better at resisting buildup but eventually clog. Clogged pipes restrict water flow, and you often consult a plumber to clean the pipes and enhance water pressure. Limescale deposits also can clog valves in dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances, often resulting in costly water leaks.
5. High Utility Bills
Most homeowners are wary of high utility bills because they typically come unexpectedly, and you may struggle to find the underlying cause. If your bills go beyond your water and electricity usage, you may have clogged pipes that pull in more water to feed your bathtub and toilets. Limescale deposits also reduce the efficiency of boilers and water heaters, which work harder than usual to deliver hot water.
6. Faded Laundry
Hard water minerals are abrasive and can leave clothes feeling scratchy and rough. Your laundry also often looks dull, stained, and faded. White garments are especially vulnerable to hard water since they acquire yellow spots that are hard to hide.
You often need hot water and more laundry detergent to offset the effects of hard water on clothes, but your favorite pieces of clothing eventually get stained. Instead, invest in a water-softening system and preserve your clothes’ luster.
7. Irritated Skin and Dry Hair
If family members complain of dry and dull hair or irritated skin, have a water expert check if you have hard water. Hard water minerals create a sticky film when combined with soap, which coats the skin and hair and worsens skin conditions. Some people report exacerbated acne, eczema, and rosacea symptoms, while others get itchy and flaky scalps.
Hard water isn’t harmless, and it has adverse effects on skin, hair, plumbing, and appliances. Fortunately, our water-softening solutions at Spartan Plumbing Inc spare you from the impacts of hard water minerals. Call us today for reliable water softening and filtration systems.
