Have you ever wondered what’s in your water? One of the most common problems for residences and commercial businesses in Pennsylvania is hard water. Homeowners in Northampton and Lehigh Counties experience higher levels of hardness in their water compared to other regions due to the bedrock geology of these areas.
Having hard water can negatively impact everything from your skin health to how well your appliances work. About 85% of homes in the United States have this issue, whether homeowners are aware of it or not. Learn how to tell if you have hard water and what you can do to fix it below.
What Is Hard Water?
Before diving into the telltale signs that you have hard water in your home, let’s answer the important question of what is considered hard water.
Hard water is caused by calcium, iron or magnesium deposits found in underground rock layers. When you tap into groundwater wells, the water absorbs different minerals as it interacts with the environment. The natural minerals then find their way into your well or public water system, creating issues for your plumbing network and anything else that comes in contact with your tap. Water that contains over 120 parts per million (7 grains hard) is considered hard.
While hard water is not detrimental to your health, ignoring it can lead to some expensive and bothersome problems over time. By learning the telltale signs of this issue, you can take action and improve your home’s water for the sake of you, your plumbing and your household.
How Do You Know if You Have Hard Water
Explore the common indications of hard water below:
Mineral Buildup
Take a look around the water fixtures throughout your home. Hard water can leave behind crusty white buildup around faucets, shower heads, drains, sinks, tiles or appliances exposed to water over time.
Scrubbing and getting rid of mineral deposits can be challenging, especially with thick limescale. You can utilize an acidic substance, such as vinegar or lemon juice, to dissolve the buildup, but it won’t prevent it from happening again in the future. The water will require softening to avoid the formation of mineral deposits completely.
Soap Scum and Stains
Another indication of hard water is soap scum. Charged magnesium and calcium particles react with soap to form an insoluble substance that you may find in your bathtub, shower curtain or sink. The buildup can hold moisture, leading to mold and mildew deposits and clogged drains. In some cases, soap scum can also host bacteria, posing a health risk.
Hardened soap scum can be especially difficult and messy to clean once it forms. You may also notice unsightly rust-colored stains left behind from hard water in your bathtub, sink or toilet bowl. This is caused by high iron and magnesium content in your water.
Poor Lather and Soap Residue
One sign of hard water that may surprise you is the lack of soap suds when you try to lather your soap in the water from your sink or shower. The minerals interact with the soap molecules and create scum, which keeps the suds from forming like they would in softer water. The residue left on your skin from soap and hard water will also typically take longer to rinse off and may lead to discomfort.
Strange Taste and Odor
A more obvious sign that you have hard water is an unpleasant taste or smell coming from your tap. You may notice a slightly bitter or salty flavor. Cooking and preparing beverages, like tea or coffee, with hard water can negatively impact your results.
You may also get a musty or rotten egg-like odor from your water. This is caused by bacteria interacting with the water’s high magnesium content, leading to the formation of the sulfates responsible for that foul smell.
Stiff, Rough Clothing
If left untreated, hard water deposits can attach to fabrics, causing your laundry to feel stiff and rough instead of soft. If you have sensitive skin, this can be a serious issue.
The high mineral levels can also leave behind stains on your clothes, blankets and towels, despite being freshly washed. It can also cause the colors to fade and become duller. In some cases, repeatedly washing your linens in hard water can cause the fibers to weaken and lead to holes or tears.
Frequent Plumbing Repairs
An uptick in plumbing and drain problems can be an indicator of hard water. Scale buildup can form inside pipes and faucets over time, resulting in issues such as:
- Restricted water flow.
- Reduced water pressure.
- Clogged spouts and showerheads.
Especially high mineral content can corrode plumbing fixtures and pipework, which can be expensive to repair and replace.
Increased Water Bills
A spike in your water utility bill may also be a sign that you have hard water, and it is wreaking havoc on your home.
Calcium and magnesium buildup in your pipes can cause leaks, cracked pipes and a host of other issues. Hard water can cause scale buildup, which can reduce your boiler’s ability to heat surrounding water, thus raising utility costs.
Appliance Issues
Another implication of having hard water is damage to appliances like coffee makers, dishwashers, washing machines and water heaters. The minerals dissolved in your water can build up inside of these machines, causing them to run less effectively and increase the liklihood of a breakdown.
Check your water-using appliances for that white, chalky buildup. You may notice cloudy or rust-colored spots left on your dishes, glasses and flatware from limescale deposits. These are key indicators of high mineral levels.
Itchy and Problematic Skin
Another sign you have hard water is dry and itchy skin. The calcium salts that build up on your scalp as a result of hard water can cause dandruff — dry, flaky skin on the top of your head.
Hard water also contains magnesium and iron, which can dry out your skin and clog pores. It can react with soap to form salts — these, too, can remain on the skin and cause uncomfortable sensations. According to The National Eczema Association, hard water can harm your skin barrier, and there is even a link between increased risk of eczema in regions where it is prevalent.
When skin pores become clogged, the body’s natural oils get trapped. This causes blemishes like pimples and zits to form. Hard water can strip moisture from your pores and prevent natural oils from lubricating your skin.
Is Hard Water Dangerous?
Fortunately, hard water is not proven to be a health hazard. The National Research Council recommends further studies on the potential health hazards of hard water before any concrete conclusions may be drawn.
However, hard water sediments, buildup and soap scum around your fixtures may house harmful bacteria that can make you sick. Corroding plumbing is linked with health risks, and leaking pipes can cause mold and mildew growth in your home. Correcting the issue is best for maintaining the healthiest, safest home for your family. Luckily, there are a few different things you can do to improve your water quality and eliminate problematic mineral concentrations.
What to Do If You Have Hard Water
If you aren’t sure whether you have hard water, you may need a water testing consultation before you invest in treatment options. You can utilize an at-home water testing kit or have a professional test a sample from the tap in your home. If the results indicate hardness, you can address it in a few different ways.
You can install new shower heads with filters, use vinegar to dissolve mineral deposits and invest in a rinse aid for your dishwasher and washing machine. Or, you can tackle all of these problem areas at once by installing one of the following types of softening solutions:
- Water conditioner: These systems work to remove hardness, sediment, manganese and iron from your water, helping achieve cleaner and clearer results.
- Refiner: Water refiners are advanced treatment systems that effectively get rid of chlorine, impurities and minerals causing hardness in your water.
The exact softener technology that best suits your needs will depend on your home’s water source. Water conditioner systems are generally best for homes with well water, while a refiner tends to be best for those with a public water hookup. A professional can recommend the best systems for your supply.
Contact Long’s Ecowater Systems, Inc. for a Free Water Consultation Today
If you suspect hard water in your home, turn to the team at Long’s EcoWater Systems, Inc. We understand the importance of water treatment and free in-home water tests. Our experienced service technicians will help you handle everything from installation to regular water maintenance to ensure your water is safe, clean and healthy.
We’ve proudly served Allentown, Pennsylvania and the surrounding community for more than 70 years. At Long’s Ecowater Systems, Inc., we have the expertise and water-softening solutions to enhance your home and improve your water quality. Whether you have well or municipal water, we’ll find a solution to meet your needs and handle everything from installation to regular maintenance.
We service well pumps, water tanks and water heaters. Your home’s water is a part of your everyday life. Let us perfect it. Contact us online to learn more about our hard water treatment services today!