How Hard Water Could Be Harming Your Home Wednesday, April 17, 2019

When you turn on the tap water, you’re just thinking about getting water, right? You’re not thinking about what else is in that water. Most water naturally contains the elements calcium and magnesium, but some water has an excess of those. When that happens, it’s called hard water, and according to the U.S. Geological Survey, it exists in more than 85% of the country.

For most of Florida, water is naturally softer than the rest of the country--but the area of central Florida including Winter Haven and Davenport, as well as the northern Atlantic coast, has slightly harder water than the rest of the state.

How Water Becomes Hard

When rain initially falls, it’s as soft water. As it hits the ground and runs through limestone, it picks up the calcium and magnesium and progresses to streams and lakes--in other words, into our water supply. Certain parts of the country may have harder water due to the way the water runs through various landscapes and picks up minerals along the way.

Why Hard Water Is Bad for Your Home

Hearing the words calcium and magnesium generally means something good, as both are elements that we need for our overall health. However, when these build up in water, it can lead to other issues.

Hard water can create a residue that builds up on appliances like your washer or dishwasher and you may also see it on your pots and pans. These buildups can also happen within your pipes or other appliances, affecting the efficiency of these. This buildup is referred to as scale and it can even end up damaging appliances. A water heater can see a lot of scale accumulation, meaning your water isn’t heated as well as it could be and takes up more energy.

Hard water contributes to stains in your shower as well. Soap scum and residues can build up and look unsightly, especially if you have a glass shower door. It can also affect your hair and skin when you’re showering, causing them to dry out more quickly.

The Pros and Cons of Using Soft Water

Soft water doesn’t contain the minerals that hard water does. By using soft water, you can reduce buildup in your appliances as well as stains on your dishes, pots, and pans. It also helps your skin and hair feel better overall because it doesn't dry them out like hard water does.

However, soft water comes with its own disadvantages. It has a higher salinity, so it’s generally not recommended as drinking water for those with high blood pressure or diabetes. Water is softened using ion exchange, meaning the minerals within the water are replaced with sodium. It’s also not the best for watering plants because it can affect the plant’s sodium levels.

At True Plumbers & AC, we can help you decide what kind of water will best benefit your home.

Call us today at (863) 667-6364 and we can test your water. If the water is too hard, we can help recommend and install a water softener that can adjust this issue in homes across Plant City, Lakeland, Winter Haven, and surrounding Florida areas.