Hard water is a common concern among homeowners. Although it isn’t a serious threat to your health, it can create many irritating problems. Fortunately, treating hard water is fairly easy. You should understand what hard water is, how to identify it, and what solutions are available.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water contains calcium, magnesium, and small amounts of other minerals. These minerals dissolve and accumulate throughout the water cycle, so water can become hard before it reaches the municipal supply. Wells can contain hard water, too. The amount of calcium and magnesium in the water determines its hardness or softness.
Signs of Hard Water
You can’t tell if water is hard or soft by looking at it, but there are some obvious signs that your home has hard water. You may see stains in the sinks, tubs, and toilets as well as spots or chalky residue on your dishes. Another common sign is mineral stains on your clothes after you wash them.
If your home has hard water, you might feel residue on your hands after you wash them, which is caused by soap reacting with the calcium in the water. Problems with low water pressure are also common in houses with hard water because the minerals build up in the pipes, blocking the water flow.
Testing for Hard Water
You can test your home for hard water with a test kit. Some tests measure the concentration of calcium carbonate in milligrams per Liter (mg/L), and some measure in grains per gallon (gpg). Moderately hard water contains at least 60 mg/L or 3.5 gpg of calcium carbonate. Hard water contains at least 120 mg/L or 7 gpg, and very hard water contains 180 mg/L or 10.5 gpg.
Some utility providers will test your water quality for little or no cost. They may also provide a water quality report online, so you can see the water testing results for your municipality. However, this can differ slightly from the water that reaches your tap.
Is Hard Water Dangerous?
There are no serious health risks to drinking hard water or using hard water to shower, wash dishes, or wash your clothes. Hard water can be a nuisance, though. It may disrupt the pH balance of your skin and cause itchiness. Those with sensitive skin may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of hard water.
Treating Hard Water
A water softener is the best solution for hard water. This system contains resin beads that are coated with sodium ions, which attract the calcium and magnesium in the water. As the hard water runs through the resin, the calcium and magnesium stick to the beads, and the sodium ions are released into the water. As a result, the water that reaches your tap no longer contains such high concentrations of calcium and magnesium.
It’s also important to address the mineral buildup in your faucets, shower heads, and plumbing system that can result from hard water. You can soak faucets and shower heads in vinegar to dissolve the minerals and improve the water pressure. Removing mineral buildup in pipes may be more difficult, though. If you’re concerned that your hard water is impacting your plumbing system, you should contact a plumber for advice.
Hard water can be a frustrating problem, but solutions are available. Our team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can test your water and address any mineral buildup or other damage to your plumbing system. If you suspect your home has hard water, reach out to us today for help.