How Do You Know If You Have Hard Water?

If you live in an area prone to hard water, it is probably a term you’ve heard before, but you may not understand what it means. You may be asking yourself, how do you know if you have hard water? Why does it matter, and what can you do about it? Let’s explore the answers to these questions.

Our plumbers in Addison, IL, from Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co., can care for your plumbing needs. If you want to discuss solutions for your hard water problems or have another issue, don’t hesitate to call us at 847-613-1344. We serve Addison, Wood Dale, Elmhurst, and all surrounding Elgin, IL communities with reliable plumbing and water heater service. 

What Is the Difference Between Hard and Soft Water?

You may be wondering how water can be soft or hard. Science considers water hard when it contains many dissolvable minerals, such as magnesium carbonates, calcium, iron, zinc, and other minerals. Homes and commercial buildings both commonly have hard water, although the exact hardness level will fluctuate depending on location and the age of the structure. 

Soft water is the opposite: water containing low amounts of dissolvable minerals. If a home’s tap water is soft, it is likely to have a system for softening the water. 

What Causes Hard Water?

As water travels underground or through plumbing pipes, it picks up surrounding mineral ions, which bond to the water particles. The water hardness level depends on the number of dissolved mineral ions in the water and is measured using grains per gallon (GPG). 

The following chart represents water hardness according to the GPG scale:

Why Is Hard Water a Problem?

Hard water is generally not toxic, but many other issues stem from it. Mineral deposits left behind by hard water build up over time, causing problems for your water heater, faucets, showerheads, and more. See below for some signs of hard water problems and what you can do to solve them.

How Do You Know if You Have Hard Water?

Soap Scum

When you’re scrubbing your shower or bathtub, do you notice tough spots where the sponge or scrubber seems to stick instead of sliding back and forth? Is there a dingy ring around the bottom edge of the tub or on the shower walls? You are likely contending with soap scum. 

Soap scum forms because of a reaction between the hard water and the soaps, shampoos, and cleaners you use. Although it isn’t harmful, soap scum proves challenging to clean, even with some sort of chemical or acid-based cleaner that can dissolve it. It also leaves unattractive spots on showers, tubs, and counters.

Mineral Deposits

Another unsightly and potentially damaging sign of hard water is the formation of mineral deposits. You may notice tiny deposits in the form of water stains on clean glassware or lines on your shower walls. Depending on the mineral composition, these deposits may be white, pink, or red.

Mineral deposits form as hard water evaporates, leaving calcium, magnesium, iron, etc. These deposits can restrict water flow in your pipes, water heater, faucets, showerheads, dishwasher, washing machine, and any other appliance that uses water, especially if it heats the water. 

If you notice that your sinks drain slowly or your toilet is often clogged, you may be dealing with restricted water flow due to hard water mineral deposits.

Low or Uneven Water Pressure

When it comes to answering the question of how do you know if you have hard water, the pressure of your water is a good indicator. Mineral deposits can form clogs in showerheads and faucets. If you notice that your shower head is very low-pressure or does not provide even water pressure, it may be partially clogged with the minerals that evaporating hard water leaves behind.

Stiff or Dull Laundry

Hard water diminishes soap suds, making it more difficult for soap to work correctly. Homeowners with this problem notice stiff or dull laundry and may need to add more detergent than necessary with softer water. 

Dry Skin and Hair

This reduction in the sudsy power of soap can also cause skin irritation, such as dryness, itchiness, and rashes, especially for people with sensitive skin. If you notice you have a lot of dandruff caused by a dry scalp, this can also be a sign of hard water.

Besides dry skin, hard water can also cause hair to dry out. The hair may also fade in color, making it appear duller. 

How Do You Fix Hard Water Problems?

There are ways to treat hard water spots and minerals deposits, but the best thing you can do for your home is to invest in a water softening system. This will prevent future buildup, increase soap’s effectiveness, and help prevent the formation of soap scum. 

Treat Visible Hard Water Spots

Hard water spots and mineral deposits develop on every surface touched by hard water from faucets and bathtubs to counters and toilets. To remove these stains, you will need something to dissolve or scrub the minerals away.

Using baking soda and a tiny bit of vinegar, you can create a paste-like cleaner that works great for removing visible hard water spots. Acid, such as lemon juice, is also helpful in dissolving the minerals. 

Invest in a Water Softener

You’re not stuck with hard tap water, even if you live in a place where hard water is everywhere. A full-home water softener deionizes your tap water, turning the hard water from your provider into soft water. These appliances require professional installation, but the short-term investment offers many long-term benefits by protecting your home’s appliances, pipes, and faucets.

Professional Addison Plumbing Services

Now that you have the answer to the question, “How do you know if you have hard water?”, trust a professional plumbing service with your hard water solutions.

The plumbing experts at Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. can help you with your water softening system or any other service you may need. Click here to read more about plumbing repairs offered by Advantage, or contact us today at 847-613-1344.