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5 Effects of Hard Water on Your Home

water softener installation connecticutHave you ever heard of hard water? What is hard water and what does it do? Hard water is the term used for water that contains compounds of calcium and magnesium. These minerals cause a number of issues, that can have a negative impact on the quality of your life, as well as the health of your plumbing system.

Below are five ways hard water affects you and your home.

1. Skin and Hair

Hard water can cause dry skin and dry hair that doesn’t feel silky. It may feel like you’re washing the soap away, but hard water does not remove soap from your body. This causes the soap to be left behind, absorbing the natural moisture and oils from your skin.

2. Appliances and Plumbing

The calcium and magnesium molecules in hard water cause scaling (which is a buildup of chemicals). This can happen in pipes, faucets, and appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines and coffee makers. This scaling will often contribute to a loss of efficiency and premature appliance breakdowns.

3. Soaps and Detergents

Hard water reacts negatively to soaps and detergents. Instead of creating a rich and foamy lather, it forms a substance that is curdy. More soap and detergent are necessary to overcome the negative effects of hard water.

4. Clothing and Fabrics

Are your clothes fading when you wash and dry them? Do you notice the ends begin to fray and seem to quickly get worn out? Hard water may be contributing to fading, worn-out, or frayed clothing. The same molecules that damage your plumbing and appliances get washed into your clothing which is detrimental to clothing material.

5. Dishes and Glass

Have you ever pulled a clear glass out of the dishwasher and noticed a film that can’t be washed away? This is most often due to hard water – the detergent reacts with the hard water, creating that cloudy foam.

Fixing these issues may be as simple as installing a water softening system. Water softeners use ion exchange to replace the hardness minerals in the water (calcium and magnesium) with sodium to make the water soft. Call Homestead to get your water tested today!