Hard water is the most common water quality issue in homes across the country, and it’s especially prevalent in and around cities. Hard water refers to water that has too high a concentration of minerals dissolved in it, mostly magnesium and calcium. It’s not harmful to drink (these minerals occur naturally in many foods), but it does pose serious problems for plumbing and appliances. It can also create inconveniences around a house. To help you resolve issues produced by hard water, we have created a list of the top benefits of investing in a water softener.
Some of the major signs you have a hard water problem
The easiest way to determine you have water with too many hard water minerals is to have a professional test it. But you can often tell you need to have the testing done by noticing these indications of hard water.
Eliminates Limescale Buildup
A top benefit of investing in a water softener includes eliminating the white mineral buildup produced by limescale on faucets and other fixtures around the house. For example, is the water from your shower head shooting off in strange directions? That’s probably mineral buildup in the shower head.
Extends the Life of Your Water Heater
Hard water is especially harsh on water heaters, and electric water heaters in particular. The heat inside the tank rapidly dissolves the minerals in hard water until it is transformed into scale—and the scale will form across the heating elements inside the tank. This will lead to early heating element failure. An excellent benefit of installing a water softener in your home includes expanding the lifespan of your water heater. If you’re having water heater issues, you should have a plumber check on the hardness levels of the water.
Stops the Spread of Soap Scum
Hard water leaves an unsightly film that doesn’t wash away easily across surfaces such as shower doors. In fact, soap often makes the scummy layer worse because the soap mixes with the hard water to create this film. You may also notice this soap scum on glassware and dishes. The most noticeable benefit of installing a water softener includes the elimination of soap scum in your house.
Tips & Insights: Can I Drink Soft Water at Home?
Makes it Easier to Lather Soap & Shower
When hard water meets soap, the hard water absorbs some of the soap. Because of this, hard water makes it difficult to work up a good soap lather. This is an annoyance, but it’s also one of the big warning signs of hard water in the plumbing.
Prevents Itchy Skin & Flat Hair
Does your skin feel dry, like it still has a layer of soap across it after you bathed or showered? Is your hair going flat? These are indications of mineral and soap residue left on you—much like the way it’s left on surfaces around the house.
Preserves the Colors on Your Clothes
Hard water is tough on your clothes. After running clothing and fabrics through the wash a few times, their colors will start to fade because of hard water. You might also notice clothing feels starchy and itchy.
Have a Professional Install a Water Softener
The best way to counteract hard water is by calling a professional plumber to learn about the benefits of purchasing a water softener. A water softener placed onto your home’s plumbing eliminates hard water by swapping hard water minerals with sodium, “softening” it. If you need assistance replacing or installing a water softener in your house, give us a call by phone at (484) 206-8594 or book an appointment online. WM Henderson provides plumbing services to homes in Pennsylvania such as water heater repair, water line installation, gas leak detection, and sewer line replacement. We provide plumbing repair and installation solutions in areas of Pennsylvania such as Coatesville, Broomall, West Chester, and Conshohocken.