Are You asking “Do I have hard or soft water?” There are some tests that you can do and some signs to look out for to help you determine whether you have hard or soft water in your home. You may wonder what determines the softness or hardness of water and whether one is healthier than the other when it comes to drinking. Read on to learn everything you need about hard and soft water.
Hard & Soft Water Differences
Water quality means everything to homeowners. While water may look crystal clear, it still consists of chemicals and minerals. The concentration of particular minerals is what creates hard water.
Differences between hard water and soft water depend on the amount of magnesium and calcium in the water. If your water contains higher levels of these and additional minerals, you can assume that you have hard water. Water softener systems are available over the counter and work by reducing the number of minerals in the water.
Soft water has higher levels of sodium or salt instead of magnesium and calcium.
Signs of Hard & Soft Water
You certainly cannot tell if water is soft or hard just by looking at it. Many times, the feel of water and how it affects your dishes in the dishwasher are some obvious signs.
Some hard water signs include:
- Feeling a film on your hands after you wash them. This is due to the soap reacting with calcium to form soap scum. You may need to rinse your hands longer if you have hard water.
- Spots. These normally appear on silverware and glasses after putting them in the dishwasher. These spots are deposits of calcium carbonate.
- Less water pressure. Since mineral deposits can easily form in the pipes, they can shrink the diameter inside the pipes, thus reducing the flow of water.
- Mineral stains. You definitely have hard water if you notice mineral stains after washing your clothes.
Additionally, some soft water signs include:
- A nice, healthy lather when washing your dishes, clothes, and even your body and hands
- Cleaner clothes containing no mineral stains and not a lot of wear and tear.
- Water pressure is healthy in your home.
- Noticing a distinct sodium taste in your drinking water.
Hard Water & Health Risks
Are you wondering “How does hard water effect me?” The good news is that there are no serious adverse health problems related to drinking hard water.
However, you should be aware that hard water can cause dry hair and skin. If you wash your hair a lot using hard water, it can leave your scalp feeling itchy. The minerals that are present in hard water can also alter the pH balance of your skin. This can cause it to weaken against harmful infections and bacteria. People that have eczema are more vulnerable.
If you notice dry hair or skin issues, you may want to consider using a water softener for your home.