3 Signs That Point To Hard Water Troubles

How To Know When It’s Time To Install a Water Softener? 

It may come as a surprise that 85% of Americans have hard water in their pipes. That water contains high content of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals. However, hard water is known to cause skin irritation, damage plumbing, and lead to surprise home repair costs. 

A water softener can solve the problem of hard water in the home, but many homeowners don’t want to pay for one until they need it. So how does someone know if their home has hard water and needs a water softener? Keep reading to find out. 

Sign #1 - The Visible Evidence

Hard water leaves traces everywhere it goes. Look out for these visible traces of hard water in the home:

• Mineral Build-up: Mineral build-up develops around faucets and showers when hard water develops. So if a hard, salt-like deposit appears around the fixtures, it’s likely there is hard water.
• Soap Scum: Does the shower or sink have a soap scum problem? Soap clings to minerals, creating a scale effect on the tiles and porcelain of tubs and sinks. Soap scum is a pain to clean off and recurs until the hard water problem resolves.
• Chalky Water Spots: If stainless steel fixtures chronically look dirty and spotted with chalky water deposits, blame hard water. Pure, clear water won’t stain fixtures, but hard water leaves behind icky deposits.
• Faded Clothing: Do clothes fade quickly after washing them? More likely than not, hard water is contributing to their decline. Hard water fades clothing by coating materials, dulling their colors.

How Does a Water Softener Help?

A water softener removes excess minerals from water. When water is clear of minerals, stains and scum do not form on fixtures or clothing.

Sign #2 - The Physical Evidence

• Irritated Skin: Hard water tends to dry out the skin and cause irritation. Red, flaky, dry skin after a shower or when washing hands points to hard water trouble.
• Slimy Residue: Do their hands feel a little slimy, or does their skin feel covered with a film after getting out of the shower? More likely than not, hard water is sticking to the skin.
• Uncomfortable Clothing: Clothes dry, lose texture and become extremely uncomfortable when washed in hard water.
• Increased Water Bills: Hard water makes it difficult for pipes and fixtures to do their job. As a result, water bills increase over time as hard water deposits grow.

How Does a Water Softener Help?

Skin irritation and residues will resolve as the water softener works and removes harsh minerals like calcium and magnesium from the water.

Sign #3 - The Structural Evidence

• Low Water Pressure: Does the sink or shower struggle to produce a constant stream of water? It’s likely caused by hard water deposits slowing down water flow through the home’s plumbing system. 
• Clogged Pipes: If a homeowner has had the plumber out to unclog the pipes several times in a year or has used a gallon of over-the-counter pipe cleaner and still can’t flush the toilet, hard water deposits could be to blame. Hard water grows into deposits in pipework, resulting in traffic jams within the plumbing system. Debris and waste get caught on these roadblocks, leading to significant plumbing clogs.

How Does a Water Softener Help?

A water softener will reduce the number of minerals present in the home’s water overall, preventing deposits from forming in the pipes. As a result, the softener minimizes the risk of clogs and improves a home’s water pressure.

For homeowners that suspect hard water plagues their home, reach out to a plumbing expert to get a professional water quality test. 

Let Capital Plumbing Contractors Fix Hard Water Woes!

When plumbing woes have got a homeowner down, look no further than Capital Plumbing Contractors to fix them! Homeowners can trust them to provide honest advice and upfront estimates on all work. Contact them to learn more about water softener installation in Tallahassee, FL!

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