Hard Water In Your Home
Do your faucets often have a white scale build-up that is difficult to remove? Chances are you have hard water, which means it has a lot of minerals like calcium and magnesium in it. Water collects these minerals from the ground
while traveling to your home. Excess amounts of these minerals harm household items such as plumbing, appliances, and other surfaces that come in contact with hard water. Here are some specific areas to watch for if you think you might have hard water.
Plumbing
As hard water flows through your plumbing system, it reacts with the linings of your pipes. This leaves behind mineral deposits and scaling that eventually clog the plumbing system. This scale can build quickly where water flow is slightly restricted. Faucets, valves, and shower heads also become clogged with deposits.
Water Heaters
When you have hard water, mineral deposits from inside the tank and on the heating elements of water heaters. These mineral deposits and the scaling form an insulating barrier between the heating element and water, which
significantly reduces the efficiency of the water heater and increases the cost of heating your water. The prolonged buildup will even do damage that requires replacing the unit.
Water-Dependent Appliances
Dishwashers, coffee makers, and washing machines are prone to the mineral buildup that can drag them down. As the minerals build up, the efficiency of the heating element reduces and the time needed to heat the water increases. If the heating cycle is on a timer, it may never reach the appropriate temperature. This layer of scale can cause the heating element to burn out, reducing the appliance's lifespan.
Dishes
Glassware, silverware, and your other dishes also suffer from hardness. Not only does water with high mineral content leave a residue, but it is also like sandblasting your dishes over time. Surfaces appear cloudy and rough instead of the smooth and shiny pieces you fell in love with in the store.
Soap Scum
We know minerals will stick to a home’s pipes, faucets, and appliances, but they will also stick to the soaps! The calcium in the water will mix with soaps to form a thick, sticky curd-like substance we know as soap scum. When you bathe, it sticks to
your showers, sinks, and even your hair and skin. This dries our bodies, leaving your hair frizzy and your skin itchy.
Laundry
Hard water will also fuse with laundry detergents, forming a soap scum that sticks to the fabric and works its way into the fibers. Over time your clothes look gray, dingy, and dull, and leave towels stiff and rough. Clothes and linens wear out much faster, too.
If you have hard water buildup, you may wonder what to do about it. There are many tips and tricks for removing hard water stains from showers, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, dishes, and laundry. But none of them are permanent solutions.
A worry-free water softener is the most effective way to remove hard water stains and solve hard water issues. Our CareSoft® series softeners will efficiently remove the calcium, magnesium, and iron minerals in your water to protect your home and family. We have the perfect fit for your needs, available as a CareSoft Elite, CareSoft Pro, or regular CareSoft model.
Learn more about how water softening, and water treatment can help you get the quality water you deserve by scheduling a free consultation and estimate with your local WaterCare dealer today.
