If you’ve recently found out that you have hard water, you’re may be wondering what that actually means for you and your household.
Saying an area has hard water is a simple way of stating that there are minerals in the water. Soft water does not contain these minerals or, as is more often the case, has been treated to remove the minerals that make water hard.
There are several noticeable differences between hard water and soft water, from the way the water tastes to the effect it can have on your home appliances. Let’s look at some hard water facts first.
The Downside of Hard Water
Many homeowners know that hard water can be a nuisance, but just how much of one?
Hard water can affect your cleaning habits. Because soap doesn’t lather as well in hard water, it can cause individuals to use more than necessary when showering, washing dishes, or washing their hands.
While spending a little extra on soap might not seem like a big deal, spending more on your appliances can be. Hard water is harder to heat than soft water and causes heating appliances to work harder than they should have to.
In addition, hard water can even decrease the life expectancy of expensive appliances and fixtures. Calcium deposits from hard water can build up in many appliances, ruining them long before they needed to be replaced.
So how can you tell if you have hard water or soft water in your home? Take a look at these common features of both:
Identifying Hard Water
- Film is present after showering
- Mineral stains is a classic indicator
- Spots on dishes or appliances
- Low water pressure inside home
Identifying Soft Water
- Increased soap lather
- Less wear on clothing after wash
- Clear dishes after washing
- Higher water pressure
The Benefits of Soft Water
If your home or business is located in an area with hard water, consider consulting a professional about a water softener or conditioner system. Softening the water you and your family or business uses can have a number of benefits, such as:
Benefits of Soft Water
- Saving on your water bill
- Saving on your energy bills
- Less scaled water system
- Better skin conditions
- Extended life of appliances
In addition to those benefits listed above, soft water reduces scale buildup in your water system. Scale is not only part of the reason that hard water damages appliances, it can also promote health concerns. Bacteria can exist in some scale buildup, causing health problems.
Need a Water Softener in Austin TX?
These are just a few of the reasons many home and business owners choose to install a water softener in Austin. If you live in an area that has hard water, schedule a free professional water analysis from Austin Water Solutions, the area’s local dealer for filtration systems using reverse osmosis in Austin. Our water experts will be able to help you decide what the best options for your home or business are when it comes to softening your water.