What Hard Water Is And How It Affects You
Hard water is water that has a high content of minerals. This happens naturally when magnesium and calcium are dissolved in water. This can usually happen in water that comes from wells, and in city water systems. Hard water is safer to drink than soft water, which is water that has been treated to remove many minerals. Although soft water is preferred by some, either kind is still safe to use.
Where hard water can cause problems is in our sinks, bathtubs, countertops and water pipes. If left untreated, limescale can build up. You can read more online about how to protect your tankless water heater from lime scale and other precautions you can take.
Here are a few ways that hard water can affect you:
1. It can harm your hair and skin.
Washing or bathing in hard water consistently can reduce moisture in your skin. Washing your hair in hard water can cause dandruff or dry skin problems. It can make current skin conditions such as eczema worse.
2. Hard water can make laundry less effective.
Washing clothes with hard water can eventually cause fabrics to break down. It can also cause washing machines to work harder than necessary. You may also need to use more detergent than usual. There are certain detergents available on the market today that is designed to work efficiently while using hard water.
3. It can clog pipes.
Hard water deposits can clog pipes. This can also lead to reduced water pressure. It can also leave residue on shower heads and faucets. Hard water will often cause spots on any metal or chrome fixtures. If left untreated, repairing and replacing pipes damaged by hard water can be a very time consuming and expensive process.
4. Its minerals are healthy.
Hard water contains magnesium and calcium. These minerals help your body process fats and proteins and help build stronger healthier bones. They can also help to fight or prevent certain cardiovascular diseases. As with almost anything you ingest, moderation is key. Too much can lead to vomiting, diarrhea or other potentially serious health issues.
5. It can smell unpleasant.
While hard water is the closest substitute for drinking water, it may not always smell pleasant. People have complained about hard water smelling like sulfur or other minerals. This generally varies depending on the minerals the water has absorbed.
6. It can leave residue on your dishes.
Using hard water to run your dishwasher can leave spots or other residues on your dishes and glassware. You may want to hand-wash dishes in this case for best results. Another alternative is to use your dishwasher’s rinse cycle.
There are many ways to treat hard water, including water softeners, electromagnetic conditioners, and reverse osmosis. These methods can be rather expensive at times, and water softeners add a lot of salt to the process, which isn’t as healthy, either. Carbon filters are another alternative that is a healthier option for many. Whatever process you choose, deciding to treat hard water is a great benefit for your home and your family.
Wow, thank you for informing me that hard water will leave a residue on all of the surfaces it touches, which can damage pipes and faucets over time. About a month ago, I moved to a new home. Since I moved in, I have begun to notice spots on my dishes and on my tub! It sounds like I have a hard water issue. I will have to look into water softener installation services that can help me.