The Problems With Hard Water

Last month we talked briefly about the advantages of a water softener, and what they can do for homeowners. Today we’ll take a look at hard water, and some of the problems that can come when you don’t invest in a water softener, not just for the good of your home, but for your body as well.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water means that the water has a certain level of minerals dissolved inside, particularly magnesium and calcium. While it is not necessarily a health risk, you can still see the problems for you and your home resulting from hard water.

Because water is a good solvent, it picks up minerals as it moves over soil and rock, holding them easily. As the amount of calcium and magnesium increase in water, the harder it is. Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may be using harder water, which can cause problems over time.

Appliance Damage

Just ¼ inch of hard water buildup in your hot water heater can result in 40% higher energy usage. With this in mind, it’s important to clean out the hot water heater on a regular basis, especially if you don’t have a water softener. Those with soft water will spend less time and money maintaining the water softener.

Limescale

If you have a solar heating system, most often used to heat swimming pools, limescale can build up. Similar to the hot water heater, even a small build up can lead to a loss in energy efficiency. Investing in soft water will help reduce the amount of hard water build up around the appliance.

Clogged Pipes

Hard water can have an effect on your water flow. Over time, the minerals will begin to clog the pipes, reducing the amount of water that can flow through. This can cause problems not only with water pressure, but lead to bursting pipes later down the road. For those who live in older homes that have smaller pipes, it is more important than ever to invest in soft water to avoid these problems.

Protect your home against the damage of hard water. By making these changes, you’ll reduce the damage done by hard water, ensuring your home, appliances, and pipes remain fully functioning for years to come. Check out our hard water tool to learn just how hard your water is and if investing in a water softener is the right move for you.