What Is Water Hardness?

Though you might not see it with your eyes, there is a lot that is inside of your tap water. Contaminants can range from minerals like calcium and magnesium to grave toxins such as leaks. Water with a high mineral content is considered to be “hard water.” The risk of such contaminations depends on several factors including your water source and the quality of the plumbing system. Well water and corroded or damaged pipes increase the risk of contaminated water. 
Dissolved calcium and magnesium in your water is primarily what affects the water hardness of your water. Fortunately, there are solutions to this seemingly innocuous problem.

Discomfort and Inconvenience

Do you ever wash your hands and feel like they became dirtier than they were? Dissolved calcium and magnesium in your water can leave your hands feeling slimy even after washing with soap. In fact, one of the most noticeable effects of hard water is skin irritation. The many minerals in hard water don’t allow cleansing products to completely dissolve, irritating your skin as they do not rinse off. Even eczema in children has been linked to hard water.
Other inconvenient effects of hard water include less than clear and chalky residue on faucets, silverware, and glass. If you pull dishes out of the dishwasher and notice chalky remains on them, then your problem might be hard water.

Health Hazards

Though the risk of health complications due to hard water are low, there are studies that show exposure to extreme water hardness has many ill effects on the health of those who consume it. High levels of calcium and magnesium can negatively impact several organs in the body. Heart disease and high blood pressure can be caused by drinking hard water. Hard water is also linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Damaged Plumbing

The chalky residue we mentioned earlier does not only affect your appliances and dishes. Mineral buildup in your pipes and drains can lead to blockages. As you know, clogs cause undue pressure on the pipes and can lead to cracked, leaking, or burst pipes, shortening the life expectancy of your plumbing system.

What to Do?

A water softener can be installed to soften your hard water. The crew at Rooter Hero Plumbing offer water softener installations and are happy to take your call now.