You may not know that you have hard water but, once you learn some of the most common symptoms, you’ll have a pretty good idea. While hard water is not a health risk, it can cause numerous plumbing and cleaning issues – as you’re about to see.
Reduced Water Heater Lifespan
Most water heaters are made to last 8 to 10 years with proper maintenance. However, hard water can cut actual equipment life in half, depending on the amount of lime scale and mineral deposits that accumulate over time.
Hair and Skin Issues
Since hard water prevents soap from dissolving, you may not be rinsing it all away in the shower. This can leave a film that causes dry, itchy, dull looking skin and hair. This adds to the misery of those with skin issues such as eczema or psoriasis.
Soap Scum on Tubs and Showers
Hard water – with its high levels of calcium – makes it difficult for soap to dissolve and rinse away, thus leaving behind a scummy residue that clings to shower curtains and doors, plus shower and bath surrounds.
Stubborn Deposits Around Fixtures
A common sign of hard water is a white film or deposit around shower heads and faucets. Sure, it can be removed with a little elbow grease, but until your hard water problem is corrected, the white stains will just keep coming back.
Toilet Troubles
Mineral deposits can form inside the toilet tank and lead to corrosion of the internal components, causing the toilet to wear out faster. What’s more, impurities can form inside drainpipes which reduce water flow and lead to clogs.
Spots on Dishes
Are your dishes and glassware looking less-than-clean straight out of the dishwasher? If giving the dishwasher a thorough cleaning doesn’t help, hard water is the likely cause. Adding distilled white vinegar to the wash or simply hand drying your dishes offers a temporary solution.
Dingy Laundry
Hard water prevents detergent from thoroughly cleaning your clothing, making it look dingy and worn much faster than it should.
Lots of hard-water-related problems, as you can see. But now, Pann Home Services offers one simple solution: a whole-house water softener. Your plumbing will last longer, your hair will look and feel better, not to mention a host of other benefits you’ll immediately start experiencing. Contact us today for a free in-home water quality consultation.
