What is Hard Water?

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can come from a variety of sources, including leaching from rocks and soil, runoff from agricultural land, and discharge from industrial facilities.

While hard water is not a health hazard, it can cause a number of problems in your home, including:

• Dingy, faded clothing

• Lime scale buildup in plumbing fixtures and appliances

• Reduced soap and detergent efficiency

• Increased water heating costs

How does Hard water affect your home

Hard water can have a significant impact on your home. The most obvious way that hard water can impact your home is through the build-up of scale in your plumbing. This can lead to decreased water pressure, as well as decreased efficiency of your water heater. In addition, hard water can also leave behind spots and streaks on your dishes, glasses, and other surfaces. In the long-term, hard water can also lead to the deterioration of your plumbing fixtures and appliances.

Another way that hard water can affect your home is through the impact it has on your skin and hair. If you have hard water, you may notice that your skin feels dry and irritated after showering. In addition, your hair may feel dull and lifeless. In extreme cases, hard water can even lead to hair loss.

How to Treat Hard Water

There are a number of ways to treat hard water, depending on your needs and budget.

One of the most common methods is to install a water softener. Water softeners work by exchanging the hard minerals in your water for sodium or potassium ions. These ions are much less likely to stick to surfaces, so they won’t cause the same problems as calcium and magnesium.

Water softeners can be either whole-house systems or point-of-use systems. Whole-house systems are more expensive, but they’ll treat all the water in your home. Point-of-use systems are less expensive, but they only treat the water at the point where they’re installed (usually under the kitchen sink).

If you don’t want to install a water softener, there are a few other options. You can use a water filter to remove the hard minerals from your water. You can also use special soaps and detergents that are designed for hard water.

Finally, you can simply make changes in your home to reduce the impact of hard water. For example, you can:

• Install low-flow shower heads to reduce water and energy consumption

• Use a dishwasher rather than washing dishes by hand

• Clean with vinegar or lemon juice instead of harsh chemicals

• Use a limescale remover on fixtures and appliances

Hard water is a common problem, but it’s one that you can easily solve. By taking the time to understand your options, you can find the perfect solution for your home.

 

For more information, contact Vinny’s Jersey Plumbing, located in Wayne, New Jersey.  We also service other towns in New Jersey, such as Cliffside Park, Oradell and Haworth.