6 Red Flags You Have A Hard Water Problem

Many homeowners across the U.S. have hard water issues. While it may be a norm, it’s also a frustrating problem that can make day-to-day tasks unnecessarily difficult. Check out our list below to see if you’ve been having any of these problems, and if you are, consider having a soft water system installed. You may need one if…

You Have Lots Of Limescale Build-Up

Have you seen white, scaly residue on your tea kettle or coffee pot? If so, you’ve got limescale due to hard water. While limescale won’t make you sick, it can be an annoying problem because it can also build up in your pipes, causing clogs and drainage issues. It also looks very unattractive. A soft water system can help to cut down on limescale by using ion exchange technology.

Your Glass Dishes Break Very Easily

If you have hard water, you’ve probably noticed white stains on your glassware. These stains can be very difficult to remove, and they also make dishes more brittle. Not only is this visually unappealing (your dishes will look dirty); it also puts you at risk of cutting yourself while polishing or drying dishes. A temporary fix is to soak your dishes in with water and vinegar, but a more permanent solution to take care of the problem will be to install a soft water system.

Your Skin Is Dry Or Itchy

Many homeowners who have hard water find that their skin and hair gets very dry and/or itchy. This is because hard water has a lot of calcium and magnesium salts, which dry things out. While water usually hydrates and nourishes the skin, hard water has the opposite effect and dries it out—and soap only makes the problem worse, since soap doesn’t dissolve well in hard water. Instead you just get soap residue sitting on top of your skin. Hard water also blocks your pores, which can cause inflammation and rashes. The best way to target this problem is to install a water softener system, since shampoos and soaps can’t really help very much.

You’re Always Needing Plumbing Repairs

When limescale builds up inside pipes (especially steel pipes), it causes more limescale to build up even faster. This results in restricted water flow, low pressure, leakage, and appliances having to work much harder than they’re supposed to—which can cut down on their lifespan. Because having your plumbing repaired too frequently can be expensive and can create extra wear on your home, it’s smart to simply install a soft water system in order to prevent limescale build-up.

Your Clothes Look Faded

Have you noticed that your clothes and linens look prematurely faded, or even gray? Or perhaps they feel less soft than they used to. If so, it could be a sign that there are minerals from your hard water settled into them. There are detergents available to help with this issue, such as (Calgon liquid water softening detergent), or you can add vinegar to the fabric softening compartment of your washer. However, the best way to get rid of the mineral quality in your clothes and linens is to get a water softener system.

You Have A Very High Water Bill

Because hard water makes your appliances that use water have to push themselves, your water usage will increase—and so will your water bill. If you notice your water bill growing bigger, hard water could be the culprit (you can have a hard water check done by your utility company to make sure). If this is the case, a soft water system will reduce the minerals in your hard water, making it easier for your appliances to work.

In any of these situations, a soft water system is a great solution to fix the problem. Other signs you may have hard water include smelly water and stains in your sink or bathtub. If you feel like you may have these issues and you’re interested in installing a water softener system, please feel free to contact us at OSP Plumbing & Rooter with any questions you may have.

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