Every single day, we consume water. It’s an essential part of our daily lives and is used for more than just hydration. What most people fail to realize, however, is that city water or well water may not be as soft as they’d like. At Curtis Total Service, the leading providers of water treatment solutions in Allentown, PA, we aim to inform homeowners about the hard, chemical-filled water running through their plumbing and the effects it can have on fixtures, appliances, clothing, and even health.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water refers to the quality of water that contains high mineral content. The more minerals dissolved in the water, the harder the water.
How Does Hard Water Form?
When water travels through deposits of sedimentary rocks, like limestone, gypsum, or chalk, hard water is formed. These rock formations are largely made up of magnesium carbonates, calcium, and trace amounts of other minerals. Typically, small amounts of minerals get dissolved in water; however, a large concentration of calcium and magnesium ions can make hard water hard to work with.
The Effects of Hard Water
Hard water is safe to drink, although over time, it can lead to costly and inconvenient issues in your household, as indicated in the video below. Read on to find out more about some of the adverse effects of hard water.
No Lather — When you wash your hands, you typically spread the soap around until a nice lather begins to form. Unfortunately, hard water can completely prevent that lathering experience. In order to build great lather, you need free water that is not tied up with other agents. Hard water, on the other hand, contains mineral content that prevents this sudsy finish, and can cause you to waste soap.
Residue — The minerals that travel with water through your pipes catch onto the surface it encounters. If your toilets, sinks, showers, or showerheads have an unappealing and dingy look, it could be a result of mineral deposits left behind.
Plumbing Issues — This buildup is also common in pipes and other plumbing fixtures. Over time, this can restrict water flow and cause corrosion. It can be extremely problematic when hard water effects plumbing fixtures. Its reaction to various cleaning products creates soap scum which builds up on dishes, clothing, and even skin and hair.
If you’re experiencing plumbing issues due to hard water usage, consider getting water treatment in Lehigh Valley, PA. Our team of professional plumbers will guide you through the process of selecting the right water treatment system for your home.