If you’ve noticed that the water in Melbourne, Florida, has a distinctive taste and feel, you may have wondered if it’s hard or soft. In fact, Melbourne’s water contains high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium that make it “hard” and different from “soft” water that has a lower concentration of these minerals. Hard water can be tough on your plumbing, appliances, skin, and hair. It stops soap from lathering, leads to scale buildup in your pipes, and can ruin your clothes over time, so many homeowners choose to treat their water to reduce its mineral content. Understanding how Melbourne’s water quality can affect your daily life can help you find a solution that provides you with a supply of freshly softened water every day.
Melbourne Water Quality
Melbourne gets its water from the Florida Aquifer and Lake Washington, and most of the water from these sources is classified as hard to very hard. The Floridan Aquifer System consists of a network of porous underground limestone tunnels known as karst. These cavities make up a reservoir of fresh water that dissolves and picks up minerals as it flows through the surrounding rock. According to U.S. Geological Survey reports, this groundwater can contain in excess of 180 ppm (parts per million) of hard minerals. This makes the water hard. Florida’s average water hardness is 216 parts per million (ppm), and it tends to have a higher concentration of minerals where it flows near the coasts.
How Hard Water Affects Your Fixtures, Plumbing, and Appliances
Even though hard water looks clear and its dissolved minerals are invisible, its effects on your plumbing, appliances, and body are easily apparent. Many Melbourne homeowners find that they are constantly dealing with crusty buildup on their faucets and showerheads. You may also discover brown stains and soap scum residue on your tub or sink.
When limescale collects in pipes, it can make your pipes clog and slow down your drains. Eventually, hard water can cause serious problems with your plumbing, like sediment deposits, corrosion, and leaks that need frequent attention. Constantly repairing your system and replacing its parts can get expensive over time.
Limescale buildup from hard water can also shorten the life of and eventually ruin the appliances and equipment in your home. Refrigerators, air conditioners, coffee makers, and pool pumps are all susceptible to hard water damage.
How Hard Water Affects Your Body and Belongings
If your skin feels dry and irritated after you shower, Melbourne’s hard water may be to blame. People who have eczema, dermatitis, acne, and other skin conditions may find that hard water aggravates these conditions. Hard water can also strip your scalp and promote dandruff as it damages your hair, causing it to have frizz, split ends, and breakage. It can also leave white spots on your silverware, glassware, and dishes and wear out your clothes.
Treating Hard Water in Melbourne
If you’re tired of living with hard water in Melbourne, learning more about its hardness level can help you deal with it effectively. You can contact the City of Melbourne to request a water quality report or use an at-home test to find out more information about the water quality in your home.
Melbourne’s water treatment processes can affect water hardness levels. Water hardness can change as it flows through pipes, so testing your water at home is a good way to get an accurate read on its actual mineral content. Home test kits are relatively inexpensive, and they can help you work with your plumber to evaluate suitable options for treating your residential water supply. Melbourne residents frequently install sodium- or potassium-based water softeners and reverse osmosis systems to improve the quality of their water. For best results, you should install a robust, whole-home system that will reliably soften your water for several years.
Enjoy Better Water Quality with a Water Softener from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Installing a home water treatment system is key to giving you constant access to soft water that will improve your quality of life and help you save money with time. The professional plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing will be happy to help you find the best water softening system for your needs.