What To Expect When Your Home Has Hard Water

Is something indescribably off about the water flowing through your home’s pipes? Maybe you notice a filmy buildup on your hair even after you’ve shampooed it, or your dishwasher leaves strange water spots on your dishes. When your home has hard water, that water isn’t as effective in doing what you need it to do. Here’s what you can expect with hard water in the home.

Mineral Deposits on Faucets

Take a look at the faucets on your sinks, as well as all drains and shower heads. Do you see a buildup of a hard white substance? That’s called limescale, and it is common in homes with hard water. Calcium, magnesium, and other minerals build up on surfaces that see heavy water flow.

Filmy Residue on Skin and Hair

If you shower with hard water, you might notice that you don’t quite feel clean when you step out. Your skin may be irritated, and your hair could feel dull and difficult to untangle—that’s those extra minerals at work. Luckily, this problem is easy to remedy by installing a water softener on your shower head, which will filter out the extra minerals.

Strange-Tasting Water

Hard water is not hazardous to your health if ingested; in fact, calcium and magnesium are essential minerals that can be good for you. However, hard water doesn’t taste great. If you want to improve the taste of your tap water, install softening filters on any sinks that provide drinking water.

Septic System Clogs

If you leave hard water unchecked in your home, that mineral buildup can begin to clog your pipes. Septic overflow is a nightmare for any homeowner, even with the best sewage pump on the market. Check your pipes regularly for limescale buildup and consider installing a water softener to mitigate the effects of mineralized water.

Higher Energy Bills

The mineral buildup caused by hard water can interfere with the functionality of appliances like water heaters and washing machines. For example, if your water heater’s tank is covered in limescale, the heating element will have to work harder to heat the water, increasing your home’s energy use.

If your home has hard water, you can expect a higher level of difficulty in everyday tasks like showering and washing your dishes. Mineral buildup can do long-term damage to your pipes, so take action by installing water softeners and removing limescale wherever it appears.