Before you invest in a water softener, it is crucial to understand what hard water is. Although it is not a health hazard, hard water can clog pipes and appliances. It can also leave a film on the skin. Learn how to identify the cause of complex water problems and how to fix them.
Hard water is not a health hazard
Hard water is water that is high in dissolved minerals such as magnesium and calcium. The minerals can make the water look cloudy and taste unpleasant. Although the water is not harmful to humans, it is problematic for plumbing fixtures and can cause poor soap performance, so hard water treatment Tampa is necessary. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a water’s hardness level indicates the amount of calcium and magnesium present.
Many people are concerned that drinking hard water poses a health risk, but studies have found that it has positive effects. For example, drinking high levels of calcium and magnesium may help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and blood pressure. It may also help prevent certain types of cancer. For example, high magnesium levels can help prevent esophageal cancer development, and they may even lower the risk of ovarian cancer.
It can cause clogs in pipes
Hard water can clog pipes in many different ways. It can cause plumbing fixtures buildup and create calcium deposits inside the pipes. These deposits narrow the pipes and make it harder for water to move through them. This can lead to reduced water pressure and increased clog risk.
You’re probably familiar with limescale if you’ve ever had a complex water problem. This white substance is made up of calcium and magnesium. It won’t wipe off quickly and forms hard crusts around fixtures. If the buildup becomes severe, it can lead to holes and bursts.
It can damage appliances
Hard water can damage your appliances, making it essential to use a water softener to keep them in good working condition. This will protect your plumbing system, your devices, and your health. Unfortunately, hard water can also cause sediment and scale buildup on appliances. Not only will this decrease the lifespan of your appliances, but it will also reduce their energy efficiency.
The deposits can cause your washing machine to struggle to remove stains, and the overflow of boiled water can cause stains and residue on the stovetop. In addition, untreated hard water can corrode metal pipes within the home. Installing a water softener is a smart move that can save you thousands of dollars in repairs.
It can leave a film on the skin
Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, which can irritate and dry out your skin. In addition, your skin’s natural oil production is disturbed by the presence of these minerals. This dries out your skin even more than it would otherwise and can lead to irritation and acne flare-ups. Hard water also leaves behind a residue of soap, which sticks to your skin and clogs your pores.
Hard water is known to aggravate skin conditions such as acne and eczema. This is because it prevents soap from lathering properly, making it ineffective. As a result, you’ll end up scrubbing more and for longer, which can worsen skin problems already present.
It can leave spots on clothes
Hard water treatment can cause spots on your clothes because it prevents the water from mixing correctly with the detergent. The calcium minerals in hard water combine with the detergent and form a curd that adheres to the fibers. This residue turns white clothes gray and creates streaks on colored garments. It also makes your laundry feel stiff and causes unnecessary wear and tear.
To remove hard water stains:
- Try using white vinegar and water. You can also use baking soda to scrub away stubborn spots.
- Mix the baking soda with water to make a paste, and then apply it to the affected area.
- Scrub it off with a bristle brush.
It can reduce the effectiveness of soap
Hard water contains calcium and magnesium minerals that react with the fatty acids in soap. As a result, soaps with these ions have a less effective cleaning effect. They may leave scum on your body and hair, and you may have a more challenging time working the soap into a lather. The minerals in hard water can also make skin conditions worse. Therefore, it is essential to treat hard water to keep your skin clean, especially in showers.
Although boiling water will remove the temporary hardness, it cannot eliminate dissolved calcium sulfate. These minerals react with soap to form soap scum, also known as lime soap. As a result, hard water decreases the cleaning power of soap and may not be safe for bathing, laundry, or laboratory use. This residue may also cause clogging of drainage systems.
