What is Hard Water and Why is it a Big Deal?

Have you ever heard the terms hard water and soft water and wondered what they mean? And more importantly, what do they mean for your plumbing system?

We’re here to demystify the terms and help you decide if you need to take action to soften the water in your home. 

What is hard water? 

Simply put, hard water is harsher on skin, hair, and your home’s plumbing. It’s higher in dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. 

So, is hard water a problem? It definitely can be. While not harmful to your health, the extra minerals in your water can cause inconveniences and/or issues, including:

  • Limescale buildup and hard water stains

  • Dry skin and hair

  • Reduced water pressure

  • Clogged pipes

  • Water heater issues

  • Pipe and appliance damage

Source: Culligan.com

Going from hard water to soft water involves trapping and holding back hard chemicals from the water before it flows through your home. Water softeners can benefit you in several ways, including:

  • Longer lifespan of pipes and appliances due to reduced mineral buildup

  • Your soaps and detergents are more effective

  • Better hair and skin health

  • Lower maintenance costs

So, how do you know if you have hard water?

You might not be experiencing any issues with your water, but it’s still a good idea to test it to determine if it could use some softening. 

You can buy an at-home test kit, but we recommend having your water professionally tested if you want the most accurate results. If you call us for the job, our team will collect a water sample and send it to the lab for analysis. 

With those results, we can help you determine whether you need a water softener, and if so, what kind of equipment is right for your home. 

Ready for a test? Contact us today! 

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