If you’re reading this post, you might have heard about hard water in Texas.
Hard water refers to water containing high levels of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. When water flows through rivers, soil, and rocks, it picks up minerals on the way. The higher the level of minerals, the harder the water.
The hardness of water is determined by the content of calcium carbonate per liter and is measured in parts-per-million (ppm). Water with less than 60 ppm is considered soft, water with 60-120 ppm is moderately hard, and water with over 120 ppm is deemed hard.
Now, the average hardness in Texas is 200ppm, ranking the state with the 6th hardest water in the country. Austin’s levels currently sit at 184ppm.
So, this number means that if you reside in Austin, Texas, you should invest in a water softener system.
And to help you better understand why we’ve listed below the most common problems hard water can cause to your home.
Scale Buildup
Ever wondered why after thoroughly cleaning your bathroom and kitchen fixtures, they still looked dirty and stained?
That’s because soap combined with calcium and magnesium creates a difficult to remove soap scum.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Hard water can also damage the inside of your water-using appliances and reduce their efficiency. Indeed, when hard water runs through your appliances’ pipes and valves, it deposits scale on the surface, clogging them up over time. This can cause reduced water flow and severe leaks and require you to replace your appliances more often.
In fact, a study has shown that the average lifespan of a washing machine is 11 years. However, if you have hard water, it falls to 7.7 years!
Damages the Skin
Does your skin feel rough and scaly after having a shower or a bath?
Here is the reason why. The minerals in hard water deposit onto the skin’s surface, forming a microfilm and creating soap scum buildup. This, in turn, leads to skin irritation and dryness.
Besides, these minerals tend to suck in the oil and moisture from your skin, upsetting its natural oil balance. They also tend to clog pores. And as a result, moisturizing creams will have a hard time penetrating deep into your skin and repairing it.
So, if you’ve noticed dry skin after your showers, purchasing a water softener might be a good idea to avoid further damage to your skin.
Stains Glassware
If you’ve noticed that your glassware always looks cloudy and milky after washing it, the culprit is hard water. The calcium, iron, and magnesium contained in hard water tend to deposit on glassware and dishes, leaving a white film on the surface.
Not exactly the coating you’d like to see on your glassware!
Now, even though you could use DIY methods to remove these stains and polish your silverware, this can prove tedious over time.
Therefore, the best way to prevent the issue is to invest in a water softener.
Fades Laundry
Soap and detergent combined with hard water don’t wash your clothes as well as with soft water. That’s because calcium and magnesium reduce the effectiveness of your detergent.
Besides, detergent mixed with hard water creates ‘’detergent curd’’ that can deposit onto your clothes, making them look dingy, dirty, and feel stiff.
And in the same way, hard water can create a white deposit on your glassware, the iron it contains can leave yellow or brown stains on your fabrics.
Finally, mineral buildup can leave your sheets and towels feeling scratchy.
A water softener system will protect your clothes, and ensure your towels stay fluffy and your sheets soft.
How Water Softeners Can Help Fix the Issue?
Remember how we mentioned earlier that depending on the level of dissolved minerals in your water, it could either be soft or hard?
As the name suggests, water softeners are units designed to soften the water. They work by removing calcium and magnesium ions from your water.
Using a water softener in your home will provide you with many benefits, including:
- Cleaner silverware
- Softer fabric
- Softer skin
- Smooth hair
- Long-lasting appliances
- Less scale deposit on your fixtures
