How to Find Out if You Have Hard Water
You may suspect that your water is hard for several reasons, and in the greater Lakeland area of Central Florida, that’s not unusual. You probably feel a film left on you after you take a shower or bath. You notice that when you do the dishes by hand, there are few if any, suds. Central Florida’s water varies from hard to very hard, especially along the 1-4 Corridor. With that in mind, here are some ways to find out if your tap water is hard.
What is Hard Water?
Before we find out how to tell if your tap water is hard, you need to understand what hard water means. The word “hard” has a connotation like the Mohs Scale of Hardness, but that’s not exactly true of hard water; it’s the number of metals and minerals contained in your tap water.
In Central Florida, hard water is created when water flows through the limestone in our aquifer and dissolves calcium and magnesium in the rock, and combines with various metals, transporting them into our homes. The minerals and metals are in your drinking water, bath water, and laundry water.
Water Testing
The simplest way to find out if you have hard tap water is to have your water tested by one of our qualified water professionals. The tests are fast and precise, so you won’t have to wait to get the results. We will be able to tell you right away if your water is hard.
Soap Scum
If you constantly see buildups of soap scum, you have hard tap water. You can identify soap scum by its white, murky layer often found around sinks, showers, or bathroom fixtures such as faucets or showerheads. Soap scum is created by a reaction between minerals found in your water and the soap you clean with; it leaves a coating that is hard to remove.
Soap scum often promotes mold and mildew. Mostly, soap scum is a nuisance that some homeowners have learned to accept, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Hand Washing
When you wash your hands with hard tap water and soap, you may notice your hands feel somewhat dry and rough once the soap has been washed off. You may feel the need to use a moisturizer after washing your hands. Various skin conditions can become worsened due to hard water. Eczema and psoriasis are skin conditions that That sensation is caused by a thin coating of soap adhering to minerals not washed away is a typical indication of your tap water being hard.
Scale
Is there a buildup of a white flakey substance on your showerhead? If so, it’s called scale and means you have hard tap water. It’s also called limescale, and this scale can be found on your glasses, mugs, and plates as a film that obscures the glass. It can also be seen on your silverware and anything else cleaned in hard tap water.
Hot Water Heater Damage
When enough scale builds up inside your hot water heater, it can easily damage it. Why? When you heat water up, it accelerates the chemical reaction that creates scale. The scale will eventually cover the heating elements and bloc feed lines. This phenomenon is another clear sign you have hard tap water.
Tri-Florida Water Treatment Can Help You Beat Hard Water
Do any of the scenarios we laid out seem familiar? If so, your family is likely dealing with hard tap water.
Call us today at (863) 965-1439 or fill out our contact form to discuss your hard tap water.
One of our qualified staff members will be happy to speak with you about performing a free water analysis and see if you can benefit from a water softening system.
Don’t tolerate scale and soap scum in your life anymore; contact us now!