Is Water Quality Really a Problem?
In the modern world, the simplest thing should be to turn on a tap or take a shower. There should be nothing hard about measuring out the detergent for your washing machine, however, in most areas of the United States, these simple tasks are hard due to the presence of hard water.
What is Hard Water?
You may have already heard the term “hard water” and wonder whether this actually creates a water quality issue. Simply put, hard water can be a major problem for many households. When rain falls from the sky, it is “soft” and has no dissolved minerals in it, but as this water seeps through the ground it picks up dissolved minerals. The presence of these minerals especially calcium or magnesium means that the water becomes hard. The level of hardness is determined by the quantities of these minerals. The higher the calcium or magnesium content, the harder the water. Although you may not notice a difference in the appearance or taste of hard water, it can have detrimental effects on your skin, hair, clothing, appliances and plumbing.
The Effects of Hard Water:
Hard water can have a number of effects throughout your home. You may notice that your skin or hair feels dry, your clothing is not washing properly or that there is a film on your dishes or plumbing fixtures. Hard water could be responsible for all of these issues. The hardness of your water can affect how soaps and detergents foam up and perform. This could mean that you end up using more soap, which can leave a filmy residue drying the skin or making hair feel limp. In your kitchen, you may notice that your dishwasher fails to clean your dishes properly, with a cloudy film being left on glassware. Your clothing may also be adversely affected as the laundry detergent does not effectively clean your clothes and leaves them looking dingy. Hard water does not just have an aesthetic effect around your home, the hardness of your water can also result in mineral residues building-up inside water heaters, appliances and pipe work. This can not only cause “concrete like” blockages, but could increase your utility bills as the heating element in your washing machine, water heater or dishwasher works harder to heat the water. This type of scale build-up can also reduce the lifespan of these appliances as it increases the wear and tear from regular use.
Correcting Hard Water:
Although hard water can be a serious issue, it is not all doom and gloom as it is possible to correct the problem. A water test can be performed to determine the degree of hardness in your water. Once the hardness of the water is confirmed, a water softener can be used to remove these minerals. This can have an immediate effect throughout your home. You should immediately notice that soap or detergent lathers up more effectively, glassware is crystal clear straight out of your dishwasher and laundry feels softer and actually brighter. You may notice that you don’t need to purchase more laundry detergent or soap as you use less each week. This means that you will be aware that the issue has been corrected and your appliances no longer have a great risk of scale build-up or “concrete like” blockages compromising their lifespan or performance.
About The Author:
Greg Scott is President of Valparaiso based Miracle/EcoWater Systems, the premier water conditioning company in Northwest Indiana serving the Lake, Porter and LaPorte County areas. A 3rd generation water treatment professional, Greg grew up in the family owned business started by his grandfather in the late fifties. He has made water treatment his life and under his direction and high-standards, the company’s water treatment experience, knowledge, and products are unrivaled in region.