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Health

Hard Vs. Soft Water A Guide

Like many Americans, 85%, in fact, you likely already live in an area with hard water.

Hard water can make life more difficult by clogging our appliances, ruining our clothes, drying our skin, and making our hair dull and flat.

But what is the difference when it comes down to hard vs. soft water? Which is the best to drink and have in your home?

Read our short guide, and we will take you through how water can be soft or hard and why you should consider installing a water softener today.

Hard vs. Soft Water

What is hard water? What is soft water? How can water, a liquid, even be considered to have a density.

The terms hard and soft water refer to the number of minerals being carried inside the water itself. As the water travels underground through the water table, it passes over rocks that contain minerals. These minerals, like calcium and magnesium, infuse themselves into the water, making it ‘harder’.

The difference is simply the level of minerals contained within the water itself. These minerals can cause calcium to build up in your pipes and internal plumbing and wreak havoc within your home. They also make your skin dry and your hair brittle to the touch.

Hard water may have a very different taste too. Some say that it tastes quite metallic when you drink it. On the other hand, soft water has a very mild flavor and often tastes like nothing at all.

How Do I Know If I Have Hard Water?

If you live in America, there is an excellent chance that you live in a hard water zone. There are some signs that you may notice around your house that will indicate the there are a lot of minerals in the water.

You will notice a white crusty build-up on your taps and metal surfaces. Also, the inside of your kettle will quickly fill will lime scale and leave bits float in your teas and coffee.

Your shower will also get crusty quickly, which will limit the water supply, and you may notice a drop in water pressure. You will also find it difficult to lather up with soap or shampoo. Hard water has a negative effect on soaps and makes them less effective overall.

You may notice that your clothes wear out more quickly or that the colors begin to fade when you repeatedly wash them in hard water. Also, your appliances may break down more frequently if they use hot water as the build-up in the pipes makes them more prone to failure.

There are lots of hard water issues that make living with this type of water quality quite challenging. However, there is something you can do to make your hard water into soft water.

What Is The Solution?

Water softeners will remove the unwanted mineral content from your water and turn it into soft water. You can install a water softener at the entrance of water to your home. This will provide soft water to you and all of your appliances and negate the ill effects of hard water.

There is an alternative to water softeners that you can consider, but nothing is as effective as removing minerals. Water softening is the best way to keep minerals away from your property and keep your appliances in the best condition.

Next Steps

If you live in a hard water area, you should speak with a specialist today about how to improve the water quality in your home. When it comes to hard vs. soft water, there is no comparison. Softw water will keep you and your home cleaner and happier for longer.

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