Hard water can happen to virtually anyone, and if you live with it, you may be so used to its effects that you don’t recognize the issue. Because hard water is so hard on your plumbing, it can be one of the most difficult Coral Springs Plumbing issues a home or office can encounter. Hard water is water that has a mineral count that is abnormally high. These minerals can include magnesium, calcium, iron, and aluminum, and they often lead to unpleasant tasting drinking water, to a substandard ability to wash dishes and clothes, and to a damaged plumbing system. If you have any of the following telltale signs of hard water, it’s time to call in an experienced Coral Springs Plumber.
Your Dishes Are Always Spotty
If you notice that other people’s dishes have more sparkle and pizazz than your own do, it might be a hard water differential. Hard water is less efficient at rinsing detergent from your dishes and cookware. Dishes that are washed and rinsed in hard water – whether you do them by hand or in the dishwasher – are often left with unsightly spots and streaks that are chalky in nature, which are the traces of dishwashing soap that have been left behind.
You Have Ring around the Tub
Just as hard water can leave soap behind on your dishes, it can also leave soap scum in your bathtubs, showers, and sinks. If you notice that your bathroom fixtures develop a hardened soap ring fairly quickly, you likely have hard water. While soap will build up on your fixtures no matter what kind of water you have, it builds up far more quickly if your water is hard.
Your Hot Shower Doesn’t Do the Trick
You hop in a hot shower for the soothing relief of the water’s spray, but hard water can even mess up a hot shower. Hard water is not only less effective at rinsing away soaps but also doesn’t lather as well. All told, your hot showers may be far less satisfying that they could be. And because you’re likely to have soap residue left on your skin after showering with hard water, you’re that much more prone to having dry, itchy skin. If your family members have problems with dry skin, it’s time to have your water checked by a plumbing contractor.
Laundry that Looks Drab
If your laundry has no luster, you very well may have hard water. Hard water is hard on your clothes, and it can even cause new clothing to quickly take on a drab appearance. The issue, again, is hard water’s inability to effectively rinse laundry detergent from your clothing. If your bright colors turn dull after only a few cycles in the washing machine, you probably have hard water. Additionally, hard water can leave your clothing feeling scratchy and stiff – not fun.
Bottled Water
If your family members or office mates are partial to bottled water, it may be because your tap water has an “off” taste. The extra minerals that hard water packs often lead to water that tastes and/or smells metallic, sulfuric, or sour. Bottled water is not only expensive but is also a waste of valuable resources; a water softening and filtration system that leaves your tap water more palatable can save you money over time.
Damaged Pipes, Fixtures, and Appliances
Ultimately, hard water can lead to damaged pipes, plumbing fixtures, and appliances. The minerals in your hard water slowly build up on everything they come in contact with, which is especially hard on your pipes, plumbing fixtures, and appliances. Those items that are likely to show the negative signs of hard water first include your hot water heater, your refrigerator’s icemaker, your dishwasher, and your washing machine.
Is Your Water Hard?
If you experience any of the aforementioned signs, you very well may have hard water. If you suspect that you do have hard water, call in an experienced Coral Springs plumber for his or her professional opinion on the matter. A modern water softening and filtration system can go a long way toward correcting all of these pesky problems and will leave you with the sparkling clean dishes, clothing, and bathrooms you deserve.
If You Think You Have Hard Water, Consult with a Professional Coral Springs Plumber Today
Hard water is hard on your plumbing, has an unpleasant taste, and doesn’t clean well. If you think you have an issue with hard water, the plumbing professionals at Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration in Coral Springs are here to help. In fact, many homeowners and insurance companies in the Coral Springs area prefer our plumbing services. We’re available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, so please contact or call us at (561) 782-2779 today.
