You may have heard of “hard water,” and be wondering if you have hard water at your home – but you may not even be sure what it is. In this blog from Ising’s Culligan Water, we’ll give you an overview of the basics of hard water, what causes it, and how to “soften” your water to reduce the negative effects of hard water. Let’s get started.
What Is Hard Water? Understanding The Basics
The term “hard” water is used to refer to water that has a higher-than-average concentration of minerals, typically calcium and magnesium. Water that’s “hard” is not harmful to your health, but it can have some annoying and potentially costly effects, such as:
- Spots on dishes and clothes – Mineral deposits can end up on your clothing or on your dishes when you run them through your dishwasher, interfering with proper cleaning.
- Filmy buildup when bathing – High mineral content interferes with the detergent effects of soap and shampoo, which can create a nasty film on your body or hair.
- Scale buildup in appliances – Over time, mineral deposits of calcium and magnesium can build up in your appliances like coffee makers, dishwashers, refrigerators with water dispensers/ice machines, laundry machines, and more, so they may need to be cleaned more frequently.
- Narrowing pipes – Mineral buildup can actually reduce the width of your pipes over a prolonged period of time, which may lead to a higher likelihood of clogs and plumbing problems.
What Causes Hard Water?
Hard water occurs naturally in some areas, particularly in the American Southwest and states like New Mexico, Nevada, California, and Utah. This is because water supplies are often stored in reservoirs with high levels of limestone, chalk, and gypsum.
Over time, minerals like calcium, magnesium carbonates, and sulfates can leach into the water, making it “hard.” While water treatment plants may remove some of this buildup, the water may still remain hard, even when it arrives at your home’s tap or faucet.
Ising’s Culligan Water Can Help You Soften Your Water – Contact Us Today!
The best way to treat hard water is with a water softener from Ising’s Culligan Water. Water softeners can remove the excess minerals from your home’s water supply – providing you with better overall water quality, and preventing the common problems associated with hard water. Contact us now online or give us a call at 209-690-0007 to learn more and get started right away.
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