At Cougar Heating and Air Conditioning, we offer reliable water softener installation for residents of the greater Spokane, WA area. Although you may not realize that it’s happening in your home, having hard water running through your pipes, fixtures, and appliances can cause a variety of negative effects. If your house is located in a hard water area, it means that the water you use is picking up calcium and magnesium ions before it reaches your plumbing system.
Having those minerals in your water can cause problems for your comfort, finances, and day-to-day life. However, by having a quality water softening system installed, you can remove those mineral ions from the water before they can be detrimental to your household.
What Are the Signs of Hard Water in Your Home?
Typically, there will be certain indicators you can look for to determine whether or not you have hard water in your home. Many of these signs will be subtle, but if you know what to pay attention for, you should be able to identify them.
- Water tastes or smells strange
- Water stains on your fixtures or dishware
- Lots of soap scum in bathroom and kitchen
- Pipes regularly getting clogged
- Appliances having frequent problems
- Clothes not getting clean
- Dry or irritated skin
The majority of these issues could have several potential causes, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to diagnose the problem yourself. However, our plumbing experts have tons of experience and training in dealing with various water heater problems and many different types of systems. They’ll be able to figure out exactly what’s causing the symptoms, and they’ll know the best way to provide a thorough, long-term fix.
What Problems Does Hard Water Cause?
There are many negative effects that hard water can have on your home, not least of which is the damage it can to do your plumbing system. When hard water flows through your pipes, it can leave behind a residue called scale. Over time, that scale can accumulate and clog up your pipes, resulting in weakened water pressure, clogged drains, and increased energy bills. In some cases, scale buildup can also cause your pipes to become leaky or otherwise damaged. Additionally, that harmful residue can gunk up your appliances, such as your water heater, laundry machine, and dishwasher. As a result, those appliances will have shorter lifespans and be more susceptible to mechanical problems.
Hard water can also have a negative impact on the health of your hair and skin. For one thing, the minerals in hard water prevent it from being as soluble with soap, meaning it isn’t as effective for bathing or washing your hands. Plus, those minerals can remove the natural oils from your skin and hair. That causes your skin to become dry, itchy, and cracked and your hair to become dry and frizzy or brittle. Water that has been softened will not only do a better job of cleaning your skin, but it will also leave your skin feeling softer and more comfortable.
Another area where hard water can have negative effects is washing your clothing. When your laundry machine is using that mineral-rich water, it will typically be less effective at removing the dirt and grime from your clothes. Additionally, it can leave behind stains of its own, cause the whites to become dingy, and cause colors to fade.
