A Guide to Hard Water and Its Effects
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, over 85% of Americans face hard water. While it isn't a threat to our health, hard water can be annoying due to its effect on our skin and equipment in our homes. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of this issue, the impact they cause, and how they can detect it. So, to help you understand hard water and answer any questions you may have, we have prepared this guide for you. If you want to learn more about a professional plumbing service that can help you, call Sunshine Plumbers today.
What Is Hard Water?
All of the world's water contains minerals, mainly picked up from soil and rocks. These minerals include calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and many more. Hard water is defined based on the change in the concentration of these minerals. The degree of the hardness can change based on the region. While it isn’t as dangerous to consume this water, it can affect other parts of your health and home.
Effects Of Hard Water on Your Health
Hard water can have a significant effect on your health. Let’s see them in this section:
- Dry Skin: Hard water tends to remove the protective oils in our skin, making it look dry and feel rough.
- Dandruff: Minerals in the water may react with shampoos and form a scum buildup in the scalp that is difficult to wash off. This will lead to dandruff formation and damaged hair.
- Eczema: New studies are now showing that hard water exposure increases the development of eczema. The protective barrier in the skin is removed, which causes the body to react and cause this condition.
How to Tell Whether You Have Hard Water In Your Home?
Now that we have seen the effects of hard water, it is important to know how to tell whether water is soft or hard. This is, as previously mentioned, determined by the number of dissolved minerals in the water. There are some signs and tests that everyone should be aware of to determine hard water.
- Spots on Your Dishes: Hard water tends to leave residue on your dishes. You may also notice these spots on your glassware, even though it has just been washed.
- Buildup in Showers: Have you noticed that your glass shower door has a filmy residue? The water from the shower will dry on these glasses, and minerals left behind will cause water stains on the glass.
- Rough & Stiff Clothes: Although it isn’t easy to notice if you do notice rough or stiff clothes after you finish your laundry, this might be caused by mineral deposits. These deposits will make your clothes feel rough instead of soft.
- Increased Utility Bill: The increase in minerals in water will make it take longer for the water to boil, consuming more energy and thereby increasing the utility bills.
- Frequent Plumbing Problems: Lastly, if you are facing frequent plumbing problems, especially water pressure and corrosion issues, these may be caused by the mineral buildup in your pipes and fixtures. Call Sunshine Plumbers today to get your plumbing repair service in Seffner, FL right away!
Sunshine Plumbers
At Sunshine Plumbers, we guarantee customer satisfaction. With our professional plumbers and affordable price plans, you no longer need to look for a plumbing contractor that you can trust. Call us today to learn more about us and our services.
