Few homeowners worry about hard water, however, hard water can directly negatively affect your home. Hard water contains increased levels of calcium and magnesium. While not detrimental to your health, hard water may cause excessive buildup in your pipes. Soft water, on the other hand, prevents scale buildup, increasing the effectiveness of soap, and extends the life of water-based appliances. If you find hard water in your home, consider installing a water softener system.
Three Signs of Hard Water
If you think you have hard water in your home, watch for these signs:
- Low water pressure – Hard water flowing through your plumbing pipes will deposit minerals along the walls, narrowing the space where water may flow. This buildup decreases your home’s water pressure. Hard water also leads to corrosion.
- White residue – Over time, calcium buildup from the hot water will appear on coffee pots, tea kettles, showerheads, and faucets. This white residue is difficult to remove and may require replacing the fixtures and appliances.
- Dry Skin & Hair – Hard water is not effective at rinsing away soap or shampoo, so your hair may reveal visible soap scum film which will dry out the hair and follicles.
How to Test for Hard Water
Try this quick at-home test to check if your home has hard water:
- Find a clean bottle, glass or plastic, with a cap. Fill it ⅓ full with tap water from your faucet.
- Add about 10 drops of dishwashing soap.
- Cap the bottle, then shake for approx. 10 seconds.
The results:
- If the water has a lot of suds and is clear beneath the suds, you likely have soft water.
- If the shaken bottle creates minimal suds and the water is cloudy, hard water is likely present.
Contact Us
To schedule water filtration services in Amarillo, contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Amarillo by calling 806-243-1849. We’re happy to help your home enjoy clean, refreshing water without the mineral buildup!
