If you’ve lived your whole life in the same place, you might not realize what a large difference there is between hard and soft water.
Having hard or soft water will affect a wide range of choices and experiences, and can even become a big part of your lifestyle.
Today we’re helping you understand what qualifies as hard water, what to expect from soft water, and the major differences between them. These classifications can help you make an informed decision about the water you use in your home or workplace.
Hard Water
Let’s start with hard water, since most of the United States defaults to hard water in their homes and workplaces. Hard water is water with high levels of calcium and magnesium deposits. Hard water is a spectrum, with water becoming “harder” with the increasing amounts of minerals.
These mineral deposits in water can cause significant consequences—especially for your plumbing. The minerals in the water can coat and accumulate in your appliances, pipes, and receptacles. For example, hard water in a coffee maker can leave behind rough white patches over time. Hard water can also leave a residue or film on anything being washed, including skin or drinking glasses. Finally, hard water can have a significant taste or metallic tang to it that’s noticeable to those used to soft water.
Soft Water
Soft water is hard water that has been carefully treated to remove the calcium and magnesium. A water softener filters the water and uses a chemical and magnetic process to attract and remove minerals, creating water that is cleaner and “softer.”
Soft water makes your appliances and cleansers more effective, since they aren’t contaminated by extra heavy metals. Soft water is easier on your plumbing, and will not leave the white scaly deposits in receptacles and along your fixtures. Soft water is also better for your skin, hair, and health.
Which is Better?
It is generally accepted that soft water is healthier, safer, more cost effective, and more energy efficient. Calcium and magnesium are important minerals to consume for your health, but most individuals are getting them from their diet or multivitamins, so the negligible consumption from hard water does not outweigh the disadvantages.
Hard water is detrimental to hair, skin, and nails. It also ages your plumbing systems and appliances prematurely, since it’s much harder for hard water to be cycled, forced, and filtered. The hard water deposits can compromise the integrity of your pipes and water fixtures. The only true benefit to hard water is that it’s free-of-cost, and some homeowners aren’t willing to pay the price of a water softener.
Contact Stubbs Soft Water
Our experts have seen the havoc wreaked by hard water, and that’s why we offer quality and affordable soft water options for homeowners of every shape and size. If you’re tired of white buildup and soap scum after showers, it’s time to talk to a Stubbs expert for your southern Utah home. We proudly serve the St. George, Utah, are, as far north as Cedar City and everywhere in between!