Serving the families in Southern Nevada since 1983

Should You Be Using a Water Softener?

shower head spilling water

If you feel an unpleasant residue on your hair and skin or notice your appliances and clothes are covered in hard-to-remove stains, you may be plagued with hard water. While this isn’t a health concern, hard water can take a toll on your skin, hair and appliances, as well as causing you to use more water and soap to get things clean.

Learn more about the signs of hard water, and decide if your home could benefit from a water softener.

What is Hard Water?

Water is considered “hard” if it has high levels of calcium and magnesium that it collects over time. Most water in the U.S. is hard, but a water softener is an easy fix to limit the effects of hard water.

Water softeners remove excess calcium and magnesium ions using an ion exchange with potassium or sodium, neither of which will stain or cause build up. Water softeners have many other benefits as well, such as increasing the lifespan of your water heater, plumbing and appliances.

Here are some signs of hard water in your home:

Dry Skin and Hair

The minerals in hard water build up on your skin and hair, leaving behind an unpleasant residue that can lead to dry and itchy skin and hair. Soap isn’t effective at removing these minerals, and these deposits react with the existing dissolved minerals to leave behind soap scum

Hard water minerals can also block your pores and cause a variety of skin conditions, as well as stripping your hair of moisture and leaving it prone to tangles and breakage.

Scale Buildup on Appliances

The minerals left behind by hard water are called “scale” and appear as hard, chalky substances. Whether its visible on your coffee pot or in your sink and shower, the real damage comes from this scale buildup inside your pipes, where you can’t see. If enough of it accumulates, you may have plumbing clogs and less effective water systems.

Brittle Glassware

Hard water is notorious for leaving water spots and residue behind on your glassware, but that’s not all it does. The mineral deposits can also weaken your glassware and make it more prone to breaking.

Dingy, Discolored Clothing

While hard water doesn’t usually cause severe stains on clothing, it can result in dull, stiff laundry. Laundry detergents react with the calcium and magnesium deposits in hard water, leaving nothing behind to clean your clothing. Hard water also leaves mineral deposits on your clothing, causing it to look stiff and faded.

High Utility Bills

When your soap, detergent and appliances need to run more and work harder to clean, you end up using much more water than you need to get the job done. As expected, this high usage will show in your utility bill.

Learn More About Water Softener Benefits at EcoWater Systems

If you’re experiencing one or more of these signs of hard water, you can have your water tested and should consider a water softener. At EcoWater Systems, we carry a variety of water softener options, so we’ll be happy to help you determine the appropriate system for your home’s unique needs. Contact us today to get started!

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