Some signs you have hard water include soap scum buildup in your bathtub and fluctuating water temperatures when you run hot water. If you’ve always lived with hard water, you might not think it’s important to use a water softening system. But removing the excess minerals in your water is easy and cost-effective. Find out three ways hard water in your home costs you money.
1. Water Heater Issues
You rely on your water heater when you use hot water in your home. Taking care of your water heater is an important part of plumbing maintenance. Hard water contains calcium and magnesium, and wherever hard water flows, it leaves behind these minerals. When sediment collects at the bottom of your water heater, the heating element must work harder, making hot water more expensive.
On top of inefficient heating, hard water produces a limescale coating on the inside of your water heater and makes it harder for excess heat to escape the tank. This can increase the pressure in the tank and lead to expensive leaks.
2. Problems With Plumbing and Fixtures
Hard water leaves mineral traces in your pipes and faucet heads, too. And it can damage your appliances that use hot water, such as your washing machine and dishwasher.
Mineral buildup clogs pipes and faucets, reducing your water flow and pressure. If you have hard water, you’ll have to periodically clear this buildup from the pipes or call a plumber to do it for you. A simple solution to these problems is to install a water softener system. The softener system will filter calcium and magnesium, leaving you with water that won’t harm your fixtures.
3. Excessive Use of Soaps and Detergents
Reducing the efficacy of your soaps and detergents is the final way hard water in your home costs you money. Calcium and magnesium ions in your hard water bond to these cleaners and create soap scum. You can see soap scum buildup in your bathtub.
The chemical reaction between your hard water and detergents and soaps makes the products less effective. You’ll use more detergent and soap than you would otherwise.
Even with more product, you won’t get a satisfying clean. Instead, hard water can make your fabrics rough and dull their color. Hard water can also dry out your hair and skin, requiring you to buy more products to retain moisture.
A water softener system in your home can save you money by protecting your water heater and plumbing system. Soft water allows your appliances to run efficiently. And with a water softening system, you can get a better clean and use less cleaning product.