So, what’s the difference between hard and soft water? Our Nipomo Plumbers have the answers you need to know!
HARD WATER
WHAT IS HARD WATER?
Hard water contains a considerable quantity of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. Untouched by any chemical process, hard water seeps through the ground where it’s filtered by mineral deposits and stones before making it’s way into your tap.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HARD WATER
Any perceived benefits of hard water are subjective, like the taste of drinking it. You’ll find the number of disadvantages often outweigh the benefit. For example, hard water can cause scale build up inside your home plumbing system. Hard water can also be tough on household appliances and in some cases even reduce their efficiency. You need to know about its odor too. Hard water can smell kind of funny due to the minerals it contains. Some folks describe it as a strong sulfur smell that’s not exactly appealing. Hard water can also be hard on your hair. When you wash your hair with hard water, scalp residue can build up and hair may appear dull instead of shiny.
SOFT WATER
WHAT IS SOFT WATER?
Soft water is hard water that’s had its minerals removed through the process of ionization. In other words, it’s treated water. You can also think of it this way, rainwater is naturally soft. It’s only as the rainfall moves through the ground and into waterways that it picks up minerals like calcium, magnesium, lime and chalk that make it “hard”.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SOFT WATER
Soft water contains increased sodium levels. Many homeowners choose to have Griffin Plumbing install water heaters to keep hard water from scaling build up on household appliances. Generally, soft water is more desirable, which is why so many homeowners feel it’s essential to invest in a water softener. As the name suggests, water softeners turn water from hard to soft.
HOW TO KNOW WHICH TYPE OF WATER IS IN YOUR HOME
Here are a few simple ways to find out if you have hard water in your home:
- When you can see water spots on dry dishes, glasses, and utensils, that’s generally an indicator of hard water.
- Take a look at your bathtub, shower walls, and door. Do you see an icky film film? That’s a serious sign of hard water. Hard water leaves minerals behind everywhere it goes, no matter how carefully you clean.
- Do your clothes feel dirty, even when you pull them directly out of the dryer? The fact is, hard water causes clothes to look and feel sticky or dull due to its iron deposits.
- If your water bill is much higher than normal, it could mean that your hot water heater is actually working too hard. Mineral deposits tend to build up in hard water, and as a result, your hot water heater has a tough time doing its job as effectively.
Avoid higher bills (and appliance replacement) by calling Griffin to install a water softener in your home today.
Unfortunately, hard water is not so great for you or your home. If you’re concerned that you may have hard water in your home, contact Griffin’s Nipomo plumbing experts today and we’ll install a water softener in your home right away.
