One of the most unsettling discoveries that any homeowner can come across is finding out that they have hard water. Whether it’s in the kitchen or bathroom, if you discover hard water, then you know that your water quality could use some improvement.
However, there is a great chance that this type of water could go unnoticed for quite some time — which isn’t a good thing. If you’re not sure whether or not your home has fallen victim to poor water quality, then here are some signs to look for:
Soap Scum
If you have hard water in your home, then you know this struggle well: soap scum doesn’t seem to disappear, no matter how hard you try to banish it. Unlike treated water, calcium deposits (from hard water) leave their trace when they come in contact with soap, causing visible tarnish on your faucets and other plumbing fixtures.
If the problem continues to go untreated for quite some time, then the frustration of trying to get rid of soap scum will become a staple in your routine.
Clogged Pipes
Do you feel as if you’re continually trying to unclog your drains? If so, there’s a strong chance that scale deposits are clinging to the sides of the pipe, adding to the blockage. And just like having that lingering issue with soap scum in your home, if the hard water continues to stick around, then the scale deposits will worsen and increase the possibility of narrowing the pipe’s path for water even further.
Dry Skin
As you know, when you take a shower or bath, it’s essential to wash away any remaining soap that’s on your skin. And the reason behind that is simple: soap will cause bouts of dry, patchy skin if it sticks around. However, when you have hard water present in your home, it will make it much trickier to get rid of soap completely — at least the suds that are visible to the human eye.
Since hard water has a high abundance of calcium and other minerals, it takes a staggering toll on the well-being of your skin when it comes in contact with soap. This, as a result, will also tamper with the quality of your hair and nails, too.
Stiff Laundry
When you complete a load of laundry, do your clothes feel soft to the touch, or do they feel a tad rough and stiff? If they feel like the latter, then hard water is to blame. The same way hard water prevents your shampoo and soap from washing away entirely in the shower, it also allows detergent to remain on your laundry, giving it an unpleasant feeling. Even if you put your washing machine on a gentle cycle, hard water will still decrease the lifespan of your favorite concert t-shirt or winter sweater.
Dingy Dishes
Are you starting to notice a pattern here? When you have hard water, your dishes and silverware will begin to suffer. Just like your clothing, your dishwasher will be putting your eating essentials to the ultimate test, washing them and sanitizing them, but leaving a white deposit residue that is a homeowner’s worst nightmare.
Of course, you can keep cycling your dishes, but there’s still a chance that you’re going to be using a lot more water than you originally wanted to in the process, and the residue could still linger.
However, the Solution is Simple: Install a Water Softener!
When you opt to have a water softener installed in your home by our team, it will help minimize the mineral content in your water supply! This will then provide you with much softer water that you’ve always longed for — helping protect your skin, clothes, dishes, and plumbing in the long run!
If you’re looking to have one of this plumbing system installed, then give Aqua Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Services Inc. a call at and we’ll be more than glad to discuss your options with you!
