Hard water is high in mineral content, but what does that mean, and is it dangerous for you or your home?
Keep reading to find out what you need to know about hard water, and how you can stay safe.
Hard Water vs Soft Water
Whether your water is hard or soft depends on how high the content of minerals like calcium and magnesium is. This type of water is high in these minerals, whereas soft water has been through a process that significantly reduces its mineral content. If you are unsure whether you currently have hard or soft, you can find out what kind of water you have by conducting a quick experiment:
- Start with a clean empty plastic water bottle and fill it a third of the way with water from your tap.
- Add a few drops of dish soap and shake vigorously.
- If the bottle is full of fluffy bubbles and the water underneath the bubbles is clear, you have soft water. However, if there are no bubbles and the water becomes cloudy, you have hard water.
Hard Water and Your Home
Now that we know what it is, how can it affect your home?
- Lower water pressure- mineral deposits left behind in your pipes can cause the diameter of the pipes to shrink over time reducing water flow.
- Soap scum- the minerals in this water can react with lye in soap causing soap scum to form. Soap scum is unsightly and can be hard to clean.
- Wear and tear on clothes- it can leave behind mineral stains on clothes that are fresh out of the wash, and can wear out your clothes faster.
Hard Water and Your Health
The minerals in this water can also change the pH balance of your skin, weakening your skin barrier and making you more susceptible to infection. Additionally, it can cause dry hair and skin, and be especially problematic for those with eczema.
Certain studies have also reported a link between hard water and cardiovascular disease, however, more research is needed in this area to confirm any real correlation.
How Can You Stay Safe?
The best way to keep you and your home safe from the effects of this water type is to install a water softening system. A water softener filters out calcium and magnesium ions by filtering them through negatively charged resin beads which replaces them with sodium ions.
Soft water will also give you better water pressure, a better lather when using soap, and help your clothes to come out of the washer cleaner and last longer.
Contact Stubbs Soft Water Today
If you’re tired of hard water wreaking havoc on your home and skin, contact us at Stubbs Soft Water today. We have a wide variety of water softeners and conditioners to suit whatever your needs may be. We proudly serve southern Utah, from St. George to Hurricane, and we would be happy to install one of our high-quality water softeners so you can reap the numerous benefits of soft water for years to come.