Eight Indications Your Home Has Hard Water

Posted in Water Softeners

According to the U.S. Geological Survey water hardness map, the majority of states have a significant level of water hardness. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not set a legal limit or standard for hardness in water, primarily because the elements that contribute to hardness (generally calcium and magnesium ions) are not toxic. Instead, there are ranges of hardness:

Soft: 0-60 milligrams per liter (mg/L) as calcium carbonate
Moderately hard: 61-120 mg/L as calcium carbonate
Hard: 121-180 mg/L as calcium carbonate
Very hard: more than 180 mg/L as calcium carbonate

While hard water elements do not typically cause harmful health effects, hard water can have detrimental and unpleasant effects on your home. The harder the water, the greater the severity of those effects.

Do You Have Hard Water Problems in Your Home?

Have you noticed that something is not quite right with your water, or with the performance of your water-related appliances? Here are eight indications of hard water that you should consider.

1. Objectionable Water Taste and Smell

Unpleasant taste and/or smell in your water are among the most noticeable indications of hard water problems. Culprit contaminants might include:

Metallic Taste – Too Much Iron
Rotten Egg Smell – Hydrogen Sulfide Gas, Bacteria & Magnesium Sulfates
Dirty or Moldy Taste – Sediment, Dirt, & Algae in Pipes

2. Your Water Pressure Isn’t Very Strong

Hard water can cause a crusty accumulation wherever your water collects. A buildup of calcium, magnesium, and other mineral deposits may cause your pipes to become clogged. This water pipe build up may result in a weakening of the flow of water.

3. Stubborn Stains in Sinks and Tubs

If you feel like you need a bottle of bleach to clean your sink, you may be experiencing the joys of hard water. Rust or brown colored rings or stains on your porcelain sinks and toilet bowls are also signs of water that is too hard.

4. Noticeable Buildup On Faucets and Showerheads

When you grab that bleach product to clean your bathroom porcelain, do you also look for a chisel to get the scaly deposits off of the faucets and showerheads? Hard, rock-like buildup on metal fixtures is another annoying effect of hard water.

5. Your Skin Feels Dry and Scratchy

Showering, bathing, and washing your hands in hard water may be irritating, particularly for those with sensitive skin. If you are experiencing dry, irritated skin, it may be due to hard water minerals. Those who have eczema or other skin issues may find their symptoms becoming worse with hard water.

6. Your Shower Doesn’t Seem to Get You Clean

Does your skin feel filmy after you take a shower? Is your hair difficult to manage? The minerals in hard water often make it difficult to completely rinse soaps and shampoos from your hair and skin. This may leave you feeling a little less clean than you’d like.

7. Laundry Doesn’t Seem to Get Clean

Laundry whites that become dingy and gray are a classic indication of hard water problems. Your laundry does not rinse effectively with hard water, so your laundry may not get as clean and clothes may wear out more quickly.

8. Appliances Do Not Operate Efficiently

Hard water can have a detrimental impact on household appliances, such as your washer, dishwasher, or water heater. Hard water mineral accumulation on appliances may lead to sediment clogged valves or cause other issues. Performance and service life may easily be decreased by hard water.