When water leaves the natural environment, it picks up hard-to-remove minerals as it passes through soil and rock. These minerals contribute to a hard water state, affecting your daily life. You might notice your dishes come out of the dishwasher spotted with white spots, laundry feels like sandpaper, or hair and skin are dry and itchy. These issues are all related to the hardness of your household water.
Health Concerns
Calcium and magnesium build-up in pipes and appliances is the cause of water hardness. It can result in stains, ruined linens, and higher energy bills as your appliances work harder to perform. Many studies suggest a correlation between water hardness and cardiovascular disease mortality. However, it’s important to note that drinking water typically contributes a small amount of calcium and magnesium to the daily requirements of your diet.
If you live in an area with hard water, you can request a municipal water quality report (CCR) from your municipality or local water utility. You should speak with a qualified hard water treatment Tampa specialist, even though these reports may be useful. They can help you determine the best course of action in your home.
Mineral Deposits
Water hardness is caused by dissolved metal ions, particularly calcium and magnesium ions. These ions can precipitate and form mineral deposits such as limescale or soap scum. The hardness level in your water depends on the mineral content of your water source and local geological formations. When water passes through limestone and chalk deposits, it accumulates varying amounts of calcium and magnesium ions. This high concentration causes hard water, characterized by reduced soap lathering, scale build-up, and other negative side effects.
These minerals are also responsible for spotted glassware, dry skin, and dull hair after dishwashing. Switching to softened water can help reduce these problems and protect plumbing components from corrosion. The water softening process removes the unwanted ions from your water, reducing its hardness and improving quality.
Soap Scum
Groundwater percolates through rock and soil, dissolving minute amounts of naturally occurring minerals. These minerals are often calcium and magnesium. It can affect your home water supply as it goes to your taps, creating a hard-water problem. When soap mixes with these mineral-infused waters, it forms a white, chalky residue that builds up on surfaces in your bath and kitchen, like tubs, sinks, and toilets. It can also cause a less effective lather when washing your hands or dishes. This mineral-rich water is not a health risk but can be problematic for your plumbing and household appliances. Water softeners and filters can help with these problems. They can be used to reduce the build-up of mineral deposits, soap scum and bathtub scale.
Discoloration
Discolored spots and streaks develop on surfaces like glass, ceramics, and stainless steel appliances when hard water is left untreated. It can leave dishes that emerge from the dishwasher polka-dotted and bathtubs with a dull and chalky look. Laundry can also get spotty, leaving behind a residue that dries stiff and unattractive. The mineral deposits and soap scum can also make it difficult to get a good lather when washing. It requires higher detergent use, which in turn raises household expenses.
Discoloration is most commonly caused by permanent hardness, created when water filters through geological formations rich in calcium and magnesium (like limestone and chalk). This type of hardness can only be removed with ion exchange. On the other hand, temporary hardness is often a result of dissolved calcium bicarbonate and can be removed by boiling the water.
Scale Build-up
The white, chalky mineral stains on your shower head, faucets, and the inside of appliances are the telltale signs of hard water. These deposits usually comprise calcium and magnesium, but other minerals like sulfate may also be present in hard water. These deposits form a whitish, tough crust called scale. This build-up looks unsightly and can restrict water movement, just like plaque build-up in the arteries restricts blood flow. It can lead to several problems for industrial water systems. Scale insulates the heat transfer surfaces of boilers and water heaters, resulting in poor performance, high energy usage, and increased maintenance costs. It can also provide refuge for bacteria, requiring more chemicals for cleaning and disinfecting equipment.
