Everything You Need to Know About Hard Water

Hard water is the bane of many homeowners. It leaves behind unsightly stains and deposits, spots on dishes and silverware, gunk in your water-based appliances, and causes skin to be red and itchy. It’s a pesky problem, to be sure, but it’s not one you have to suffer with.
Here’s everything you need to know about hard water and what you can do about it.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is water that has a high concentration of dissolved minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium. These minerals aren’t harmful to your health, but they are a nuisance for your home. The hardness of water is measured in grains per gallon (GPG). Anything over 7 GPG is considered hard, and trust us, many homes have water way beyond that number.

Hard water is common, especially if you’re getting your water from a well or municipal supplier that doesn’t treat for hardness. While you can’t see the minerals with your eyes, your plumbing and appliances definitely feel them and their effects.

How to Know You Have Hard Water

Here are the telltale signs of hard water.

• Spotty Dishes and Glassware – No matter how hard your dishwasher works, those white, chalky spots keep appearing. 
• Soap that Won’t Lather – Do you feel like you’re using a gallon of shampoo just to get a little suds? That’s from hard water. 
• Dry Skin and Hair – Hard water leaves a residue on skin and hair that zaps moisture from your skin and scalp.
• Clogged Faucets and Crusty Shower heads – Minerals gunk up plumbing fixtures, reducing water pressure.
• Scale Buildup in Appliances – Your water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine all suffer from mineral deposits, which can shorten their lifespans and make them less efficient.

If you’re nodding along to all of this, chances are your water is pretty hard.

Enter the Water Softener

A water softener is a device that removes calcium and magnesium ions from your water and replaces them with sodium or potassium ions. The result? Soft, silky water that’s gentle on your skin, hair, pipes, and appliances.

Water Softener Myths

Despite the benefits of installing a water softener, many homeowners are still hesitant because they believe false ideas about what they do to their water. Here are the most common water softener myths busted.

Myth 1: Water Softeners Make Your Water Salty and Add Sodium to Your Diet

This is false. An 8-oz. glass of water contains about 20 milligrams of salt. That’s equal to a few grains of table salt. There are approximately 2,300 mg of salt in a teaspoon, 59 mg in an egg, and 120 mg in a glass of milk. Water softeners don’t change how your water tastes or impact your diet.

Myth 2: Water Softeners Remove Vital Minerals Important to Your Diet

Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium minerals, which aren’t readily absorbed by your body. Most people get these minerals through their food or via supplements, so removing them from the water has no negative health consequences.

Myth 3: Water Softeners are Expensive to Operate

The average cost of owning and operating a water softener adds about $10 per year to your electric bill. Water softeners can also save money by extending the lifespan of expensive appliances and preventing expensive repairs or premature replacements.

Why You Might Want One

Let’s talk about the benefits. A water softener isn’t just a luxury; it’s a smart investment for a bunch of reasons.

• Longer-lasting Appliances: Without scale buildup, your water heater, coffee maker, refrigerator, and washing machine can live their full lives and save money on repairs and early replacements. 
• Lower Energy Bills: Scale buildup forces your appliances to work harder, which hikes up energy usage. Soft water helps them run more efficiently. 
• Cleaner Clothes: Say goodbye to dull, scratchy laundry. Soft water makes your detergent work better and rinses cleaner. 
• Spotless Dishes: With a water softener, your dishes finally come out of the dishwasher clean and spotless. 
• Better Skin and Hair: Soft water is less drying and rinses away soap and shampoo completely, leaving your skin and hair feeling soft and healthy, and looking vibrant.
• No More Soap Scum: Soft water helps your soap do its job and rinses it off completely,so your shower and tub stay cleaner longer.

Get Rid of Hard Water Today!

Tri-Florida Water Treatment, Inc. is your local trusted partner for high-quality water conditioning services in Polk County and the surrounding areas. We have over 30 years of experience and pride ourselves on providing reliability, outstanding communication, and high-quality work on every job.
If you’re sick of the effects of hard water in your home, call us today for a consultation and find out how a water softener can benefit you.