Hard water, caused by an excess of dissolved minerals, is a widespread problem that many homes have to deal with. Hard water isn’t necessarily dangerous to your health, but it can ruin your plumbing, appliances, and fixtures. Homeowners can improve the performance and longevity of their water systems by gaining knowledge about the causes of hard water and exploring ways to lessen its negative effects.
Definition of Hard Water
To put it simply, hard water is water with a very high mineral content, particularly magnesium and calcium. As water moves through different types of soil and rock, it picks up these minerals. Grains per gallon (GPG) and parts per million (PPM) are common units of measurement for water hardness; larger numbers indicate harder water. Water with 0–3 gpg (grains per gallon) qualifies as soft. Water in the range of 3.5–7 gpg is moderate and ideal. If the water exceeds 7.5 gpg, you should treat it since this indicates hard water.
Common Signs of Hard Water
It’s usually pretty simple to tell whether your home has hard water. The top signs to look for include:
- Decaying bathroom fixtures
- Stains in tubs and sinks
- The increased consumption of water appliances results in higher water bills
- Spots or residue that is white or chalky on dishes and in the dishwasher
- Clothing and linens that look dull and have a rough texture
- Problems with dry skin and unruly hair due to ineffective soap lathering and rinsing
- Reduced flow rate from fixtures like shower heads and faucets because of blockages
Top Causes of Hard Water
Understanding the origins of hard water is essential to dealing with its effects and discovering appropriate solutions. If you don’t pinpoint the exact cause of hard water in your home, it becomes much more difficult to choose the right fix.
High Concentrations of Calcium and Magnesium
Extremely high calcium and magnesium concentrations are the main culprits behind hard water. As water seeps through layers of gypsum, chalk, or limestone, these minerals disintegrate. This process can change according to the groundwater source’s depth and composition. Hard water is more prevalent in places where groundwater is used as a main source of drinking water. The local geology determines the relative abundances of naturally occurring magnesium and calcium.
Municipal Water Supply
If the city’s water comes from a well or other underground source, residents may experience hard water. The supply of hard water to homes and businesses can be a consequence of municipalities that rely on groundwater without treating it to remove minerals. Surface water sources, such as lakes and rivers, on the other hand, are less likely to cause hard water issues due to their reduced mineral concentration.
Lack of Water Softening Treatment
Hard water problems tend to be more common in places that don’t use water-softening procedures. While water softeners can eliminate or at least reduce the effects of hard water minerals, they are not universally applicable. As long as the water supply’s minerals remain untreated, hard water issues will continue to persist.
Easy Ways to Prevent Hard Water
There are a number of viable options for dealing with hard water. A plumber can help you determine which method is best for your home. Some homes benefit from using a combination of the following strategies.
Install a Water Softener
Ion exchange is the mechanism by which water softeners remove hardness-causing minerals like calcium and magnesium from water and replace them with softer ones like sodium or potassium. This lessens the water’s mineral concentration, which makes it “”soft”” and less prone to scale buildup and other issues. Many different kinds and sizes of water softeners are on the market. Reduced soap scum, improved water quality, and a much longer lifespan for plumbing systems and appliances are all benefits of installing a water softener.
Use a Water Conditioner
A water conditioner, in contrast to a water softener, alters the interaction between minerals and surfaces using physical or magnetic fields. This lessens the buildup of scale and mineral deposits without actually removing the minerals. Compared to water softeners, water conditioners may not be able to completely eliminate hardness from the water, but they can help with scaling and water flow improvement. If necessary, you can combine water conditioners and softeners to improve water quality and reduce scale buildup by maximizing the softener’s performance.
Add a Whole-House Filter
A whole-house filter, when installed at the water entry point to your home, can help remove numerous contaminants, including the minerals that cause hard water. Filters come in a variety of styles, each designed to address a unique problem with water purity. Sediment filters, for example, are great for cleaning water from debris like rust, silt, and sand while also preserving other filters from damage. Carbon filters are ideal for reducing chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and unpleasant tastes or odors.
Install Point-of-Use Filters
If you only have hard water in one part of the home, like the kitchen sink or the shower, you can fix it by installing a point-of-use filter. Because they address only the areas with the most visible hard water problems, these filters are great for places where installing a whole-house system wouldn’t be practical. Adding a point-of-use filter to your hard water management arsenal helps fortify your system against mineral-related issues and scale buildup.
How Do Plumbers Test for Hard Water?
To determine if the water is hard, plumbers usually use kits or instruments that measure the calcium and magnesium concentrations in the water. One typical approach is the use of test strips, which change color depending on the mineral content, to swiftly ascertain the degree of hardness in the water.
Another method involves mixing a reagent that reacts with magnesium and calcium with water to conduct a titration test. The professional can tell the hardness level by looking at the amount of reagent needed to reach a given endpoint.
To get more accurate readings in more complicated situations, plumbers may utilize electronic water hardness meters. These meters measure electrical conductivity. Plumbers sometimes use a combination of these techniques to determine if a water softener is necessary and how hard water is influencing plumbing systems.
If you need help dealing with hard water, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today!