Hard water affects 85% of Americans, and you could be one of them.

Hard water has many unwanted effects. But only 30% of Americans with hard water are using a water softener to avoid them.

So what is hard water and do you know if your area has it?

Here’s some useful content on what you need to know about hard water, how to spot it, and what to do about it.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is simply defined as water with high mineral content.

The higher the levels of calcium and magnesium specifically, along with other minerals, the harder the water is. It gets these high levels of minerals from the rocks it filters through.

In the US for example, much of the land we live on now was covered by the sea long before we populated it. This left high concentrations of the minerals which make water hard today.

Do I Have Hard Water?

There are many maps that show the areas of hard water across America online. Given how widely spread hard water is across the country, it’s likely you do have it.

There are also some easy to spot hard water vs soft water signs within your home.

Hard Water Stains

The high mineral content in hard water leaves a deposit called limescale behind. Whilst it’s perfectly safe to drink hard water, limescale plays havoc on many things in the home.

It leaves watermarks and hard water stains on glasses and other tableware. You may even feel a film on your skin after washing.

Many people believe hard water as being the cause of some skin and hair problems. Such as eczema, acne, and dry hair.

Limescale in Machines

Limescale can also build up inside your dishwasher or washing machine. This causes them to be less efficient and eventually break down.

Less Water Pressure

You may find you have lower water pressure over time. As limescale coats, the insides of the pipes and reduces the diameter and water flow.

Soft Water Properties

If you have soft water you will find many benefits. For example, more lather when washing. Clothes and tableware which are cleaner and better water pressure.

The Solution

Luckily there are things you can do to tackle hard water in your home. Use a hard water stain remover in your dishwasher, or products to tackle limescale when washing your clothes or dishes. You can also call a water tank relining service to clean and disinfect the tank to remove any bacteria that has accumulated over time. Because of hard water scale, lines in appliances like a dishwasher may need upgraded hydraulic seals that resist hardwater damage.

A more permanent solution would be to install a filter with the help of residential and commercial plumbing services, which softens the water straight from the pipes before you use it, like the kinetico water softener.

Verdict

So, we’ve answered the question, what is hard water? It can be a real pain, cause havoc on your water system, requiring the services of an emergency plumber, and leave unwanted marks and stains.

But now you know what to look for and how to fix it, be it short term or long term.

Let us know about your hard water horror stories in the comments below. And be sure to check out our other articles on top tech for your home.