Hard water contains a high amount of minerals such as calcium and magnesium that can leave buildup in the plumbing, fixtures, and appliances. Also, these minerals leave the skin and hair feeling dry as well as the laundry stained and worn out. These issues are common in homes but homeowners might not be aware of their cause. When it comes to addressing hard water, the question on water conditioner vs softener usually comes in.
If you are not sure whether or not you have hard water, look out for the following signs:
The Buildup of Soap Scum
If you are always scrubbing off-white hard water spots from the fixtures, this shows you have hard water. These spots are calcium deposits left behind from hard water. However, your faucets are not the only things that minerals stick to. Did you know that they also bind to soaps and detergents? If you have hard water, your soap becomes stick rather than normally slippery, leaving residue on the dishes, shower, clothing, and skin. As minerals deplete the soap’s effectiveness, you might have to use more than you need to clean your home.
Clogged Pipes
Hard water can cause serious plumbing problems. Scale deposits can build up inside the pipes and constrict the water flow, resulting in backups. This will require the services of a professional plumber.
Dry Hair
Hard water can also negatively affect your hair. If your home uses hard water, your hair may feel filmy and straw-like. The reason is that excess minerals in water combine with shampoo will form a curd-like substance that sticks to the hair. You may decide to wash your hair more frequently to get rid of the soapy residue from your hair, but, the more frequently you shampoo your hair in hard water, the less moisture can enter the hair strains. This leads to dry and frizzy hair. Also, hard water can make it more difficult for your hair to retain color. Hard water minerals on the hair shaft usually cause colored hair to turn a brassy tone.
Dry Skin
As washing in hard water leaves soap behind, it results in your skin getting dried out and itchy. The mineral deposits on your body will suck out the skin moisture. This can usually lead to skin conditions such as eczema. According to studies, bathing in hard water could lead to symptoms of eczema to worsen and could increase the risk of eczema development in young children.
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