A lot of people in the US take water for granted, not considering its attributes except for its being wet. However, most residents have to deal with one of its less-appealing characteristics, which is hardness.

Water hardness is caused by a high concentration of minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium alongside traces of other metals that dissolve naturally in drinking water.

Hard water has a negative effect on the many things we do everyday like bathing, showering, washing laundry and cleaning dishes. Hard water can be an issue in whatever part of country people reside in.

Fortunately, its unfavorable effects can be diminished with water softener installation, which gets rid of dissolved minerals by means of using sodium or potassium ions in the place of calcium and magnesium ions. When the homeowners’ water is too hard, they can see these tell-tale signs that indicate they need a water softener.

  • Stains

Since there are dissolved minerals and metals in hard water, it can leave stubborn stains on the surface of bathtubs, toilets and sinks as well as white, scale deposits around faucets. A temporary solution to remove stains on fixtures is soaking the affected area in ½ cup of powder detergent; when it comes to white deposits surrounding the faucet, the area can be sprayed with white vinegar then let this stay for a couple of minutes before rinsing then thoroughly wiping it with a soft cloth.

  • Scale Buildup

Scale or limescale are mineral deposits than can accumulate on coffeepots, pots, tea kettles, glassware, dinnerware and cutlery, which leaves a hard, chalky, hard-to-remove film. What can be worse is scale building up inside water using appliances like washing machines and dishwashers plus the plumbing system that result to expensive repairs.

  • Higher Electricity and Water Bills

When utility bills are surprisingly high, homeowners may want to check if there are signs of scale in their home’s plumbing. Scale can build up over a period of time and clog pipes so as a result, a home’s heating system works harder for water to push through. Also, scale build up can affect the efficiency of hot water heaters and boilers.

  • Gray or Faded Laundry

Hard water not only makes bath and laundry soaps less effective but also leaves behind a slimy residue that makes clothing fade, look gray or dull, smell sour and become rough. In addition, using hard water to wash clothes can cause them to wear ahead of time.

  • Dry Skin and Hair

Minerals present in hard water can make skin dry, itchy and flaky as well as block the pores of the skin, causing inflammation, pimples or blackheads. Soap does not dissolve well in hard water, leaving a sticky film on skin and defeats its purpose of removing bacteria and dirt. This film also makes hair dry, limp and dull.

  • Water Heater Problems

One of the very costly and inconvenient signs that a home needs a water softener is when a water heater malfunctions or stops working. Hard water can prematurely age water heaters fast, particularly electric types, since heating hard water speeds up the development of scale in the tank as well as its expensive heating elements.