Having hard water in your home can be a nuisance at best, and a cause of costly plumbing issues at worst. It all depends on your water! For some, a water softener might not be worth the time or investment—but for others, it's a necessity.
Water hardness refers to the amount of calcium and magnesium found in your water. These minerals naturally accumulate in groundwater (such as water from a well) and are safe to consume. However, water that is considered hard (containing 7 grains per gallon or 120 mg/L of calcium carbonate) can cause issues in the home. If you notice any of these issues, a water softener might be beneficial for you:
Dishes & Laundry Don't Get Clean
Do your dishes come out of the dishwasher looking cloudy? Do clothes seem like they aren't getting completely clean in the wash? Hard water can reduce the effectiveness of soaps and detergents and leave behind a film of minerals on dishes or clothing.
Dry Skin & Hair
Showering with hard water can leave the skin, hair, and scalp feeling dry. You might also notice that it takes more soap or shampoo to get a good lather than when you use water from another source.
Soap Scum, Scale, & Mineral Deposits
If your water is very hard, you'll often be able to see the evidence: a white, crusty buildup of minerals (known as limescale) on faucets, showerheads, tea kettles, coffee pots, and other fixtures or appliances exposed to water is a common indicator of hard water. You might also notice a buildup of difficult-to-remove soap scum in your sinks or bathtubs.
High Utility Bills
Unfortunately, the mineral buildup that occurs on the outside of faucets and showerheads can build up on the inside of your plumbing, too. Over time, this buildup can clog up pipes and fixtures, reduce the lifespan of appliances, and lower the efficiency of things like water heaters, which can lead to abnormally high utility bills.
If you decide that a water softener is right for your home, give us a call! Our skilled BODEK technicians can install the water softener system that's right for you.
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