7 Signs You Need a Water Softener in Your Home

There are many signs that show your battle with hard water in your home, and they’re evident anywhere you use water. Since water is an unreplaceable commodity in your home, you have to ensure that you’re getting the best type of water, and hard water is not it.

If you discover that you have hard water, a lot of discomforts in your home will suddenly become obvious, and this is where a water softener comes in.

The device can take out excess magnesium and sodium ions in your water, replacing it with sodium or potassium ions. There are various ways to test your water for hardness, but these signs will convince you of taking the test. 

1. Limescale Buildup

If you notice the buildup of limescale on water appliances like kettles, coffee pots or in the sink, bathroom and pipes, that’s a clear sign that you are using hard water. Limescale is the mineral deposit left behind by the hard minerals like calcium and magnesium in water. As you use hard water frequently, the limescale will build up in these appliances and objects, affecting them adversely.

Limescale looks like a white, chalky and hard substance and can be quite stiff, so if you recognize this in places where you use water in your home, you should conclude that it is limescale. You might think it’s no big deal, but limescale reduces the lifespan of water appliances like kettles, boilers, washing machines, dishwashers and more.

2. Clogged Pipes

Another sign of hard water is constant repair of pipes. If you notice that you have to regularly repair or replace parts of your plumbing system, it’s safe to believe that limescale has blocked the flow of water through your pipes. This is especially when you use steel pipes which are easily damaged by the constant flow of hard water.

Also, when the pipes become clogged and water flows slowly, it increases the rate of limescale buildup because the minerals have more time to stay in the pipes. Rather than spending more money on constant repair and replacements, and dealing with the inconveniences, you can just get a water softener instead. 

3. Brittle Glassware

If you have hard water, your glassware will constantly break and become brittle. There are some hard water hacks that you can use to wash brittle glassware, such as using vinegar with no soap, but the most effective and permanent solution is a water softener. 

You should avoid using powdered soap to wash glassware and silverware because of their abrasiveness, and soak them in water and vinegar instead to remove the hard water stains.

4. Stains on the Sinks and Bathtubs

Hard water also leaves very obvious signs, like stains on your bathtub and sink that usually prove hard to remove while you do the washing.

If there are high levels of iron in your hard water, you will have to deal with red iron-like stains everywhere, and these are not pleasant. Hard water stains are caused when the tap water evaporates and leaves calcium and magnesium plaster-like deposits behind. 

You can use vinegar to wipe the stains or soak your tub or sink for about thirty minutes. Another hack for cleaning these sinks is using powdered detergent and bleach, but as usual, the permanent solution is a water softener. For this kind of problem, a water softener that exchanges hard ions with potassium chloride is a good choice.

5. Faded Clothes

Your water appliances and plumbing system are not the only things you should be bothered about. Hard water also affects your clothes by making them faded. You might also notice that your clothes are hard to wash, rinse soap out of and are itchy. This makes it uncomfortable for you to wear them. 

Hard water can also stain your clothes permanently. If you have a lot of iron in your water, you will notice red and purplish stains on your clothes that will be hard to remove. Even without irons, you can notice your clothes getting grey. You can wash them with liquid detergent and sodium tripolyphosphate, but this is only a temporary solution.

6. Dry Skin and Hair

Your hair and skin will be adversely affected by hard water. For one, you will be left with itchy and dry hair and skin because of the excess calcium and magnesium.

Washing with shampoo won’t change much because you’ll still be rinsing it out with the hard water anyway. This is because, when you rinse out your hair and skin, the water does not nourish you. It only dries you out.

Also, hard water and soap don’t mix well. This is why there are stains on your sinks and bathtubs. This is applicable to your skin and hair, because when you try to rinse off after a bath, residue is left behind. The residue will irritate your hair and skin, causing it to feel dry and rough.

It can also make your hair brittle and discolored. There ways to take care of your skin with hard water, but a water softener is a permanent solution. 

7. Increased Water Bill

Apart from all the money you have to spend on pipe repairs and replacing damaged water appliances, you will also notice that your water bill will increase. This is because water will work harder to pass through the pipes, causing your water usage to go up.

You can call the water utility company to ask if the water is hard, or test it yourself. Using a water softener will reduce the costs of the water bill.

Buy a Water Softener Today

Rather than going for short-term solutions and dealing with the problems of hard water every day, you can go for the best water softeners out there. Depending on the hardness of your water and other factors, you should get the water softener that is right for you. If you notice any of these water hardness signs in your home, get a water softener immediately to protect yourself, your family and your finances.

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