How Do I Know If I Have Hard Water?
Do I have hard water in my home? If you have detected some changes in the water you’ve been using for several years, there’s a chance that you have hard water. Essentially, hard water is not harmful. However, you don’t have to continue drinking unpleasant water with additional chemicals and impurities. But how do I know if I have hard water?
1. Your Skin Feels Dry After Washing
One of the common symptoms of hard water is that your skin feels dry and itchy after a shower. Soap doesn’t lather as well, and you might notice that your hair isn’t as shiny as it used to be. This type of water has high magnesium levels, which can bind to soap and prevent it from lathering. Your skin doesn’t get as clean as it should, and it becomes dry and irritated.
If you’ve noticed that your skin feels dry after washing, it’s a good idea to have your water tested for hardness. You can do this yourself with a home test kit or contact a local water treatment company to have the test done for you.
2. You Have Scale on Your Fixtures
Another telltale sign of hard water is scale buildup on your fixtures, such as your showerhead, faucets, and toilet bowl. This scale is made up of calcium and magnesium, found in hard water. Over time, these minerals can build up and create a hard, crusty deposit on your fixtures. This is unsightly, but it can also reduce the flow of water from your fixtures. So, if you’ve noticed scale buildup on your fixtures, it’s a good indication that you have hard water.
3. Your Water Has an Unpleasant Taste
Water doesn’t have a defined taste or smell. However, if you’ve noticed that your water has an unpleasant taste or smell, it could be a sign of hard water. This is because hard water can contain high amounts of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can give water a bitter taste. Also, hard water can contain iron, giving the water a metallic taste. So, if you’ve noticed that your water has an unpleasant taste or smell, it’s good to have it tested for hardness.
4. You Have Stains on Your Clothing
Hard water leaves stains on your clothing. This is because it contains high amounts of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can bind to soap and laundry detergent, which can be deposited on your clothing. Over time, these mineral deposits can build up and create stains that are difficult to remove. If you’ve noticed that your clothing has started to get stained, it’s a good idea to have your water tested for hardness.
Conclusion
Detecting hard water in your home can be tricky. However, there are some telltale signs that you can look for, such as dry skin, scale buildup on fixtures, and stains on clothing. Contact Royal Water Works, Inc. today to have your water professionally tested. We can also provide you with a water softener to help remove the minerals from your water.
Categorised in: Hard Water, Water Filtration