Hard water is likely something you’ve heard about before, but do you know exactly what it is? Hard water occurs when there is magnesium and calcium present in your plumbing system—these minerals cause a number of issues that while not necessarily unhealthy, can have a negative impact on your quality of life, as well as the health of your plumbing system.
The right Tampa, FL water treatment system—specifically, a water softener—can make all the difference. Keep reading to learn about 7 negative effects that hard water can have, and how a water softener can help.
1. Scale Buildup on Plumbing Fixtures and Appliances
If you notice this, you very likely have hard water. Mineral deposits will start showing up on not only your faucets and showerhead, but also on appliances like your coffee pot and dishwasher. This buildup is not only unsightly, but it can cause a foul taste to your water.
2. Dry Skin and Hair
Because of the excess of calcium and magnesium in the water, taking a shower can leave your skin feeling dry, and your hair feeling slimy right after you step out. The water isn’t able to nourish your skin or hair at all, so when you dry both, your skin may feel chapped and your hair brittle.
3. Faded Clothes
Hard water impacts your clothes washer, too. Hard water strips the color away from your clothes much faster than treated water would. Your clothes and bedding may even feel scratchy due to the extra mineral substance.
4. Stained Sinks and Bathtubs
The mineral residue from hard water can certainly begin to stain your sinks and bathtubs. While relatively easy to clean off, let’s face it—nobody wants to clean their bathroom every single day! A water softener will resolve this issue.
5. Frequent Plumbing Repairs
Steel pipes do not handle hard water well at all. They become easily damaged due to the buildup of minerals and your water flow will eventually be impacted. This can also cause corrosion and other pipe problems, leading you to call for drain cleaning and pipe repairs quite often.
6. A Rise in Water Bills
As calcium and magnesium build up inside your pipes, your plumbing system has to work harder to let water flow through. This can result in a number of problems, including leaks and cracked pipes. Even the most minor leaks can lead to gallons of water loss over the course of a year, and as such this contributes to higher water bills.
7. Unsightly Dishware
Have you ever noticed white spots on your dishes and glassware when you take it out of the dishwasher? This is caused by hard water, and often leads you to feel like you need to rewash your dishes. The real solution is having a water softener integrated into your plumbing system.
To schedule your professional water softener installation, simply book an appointment with IERNA’s Heating & Cooling today.